Bern Rogers, 71, has been awarded £127,500 from her late mother's estate as compensation for providing 24-hour care for two-and-a-half years, following a protracted legal dispute with her five siblings. The case saw Ms. Rogers facing accusations of theft and fraud, leading to a police investigation and a criminal prosecution, from which she was acquitted.
Ms. Rogers stated that her mother, Sheila Wills, who was diagnosed with dementia and whose health deteriorated, had explicitly wished to live with her in Bristol rather than return to her home in Norfolk or move into residential care. The arrangement began in September 2017, initially intended as a short-term stay, but evolved into a situation requiring constant assistance with personal care, eating, and managing health issues.
"I went from being held up as a saint for looking after mum to suddenly being this terrible criminal," Ms. Rogers said, describing the emotional toll of the dispute. "I was just doing what my mother asked me to do. It was them [siblings] against me, it made me feel like a scapegoat."
Her husband, Jon Rogers, a retired GP, recounted the significant impact the caregiving had on their lives, stating, "We felt unable to leave her on her own. If Bern needed to go to the shops, I would have to stay at home. We couldn't go out. Even going to the shops was difficult. It was a 24-hour job."
Following Mrs. Wills' death in April 2020, Ms. Rogers initially withdrew £100,000 from the estate, which she stated was to be compensation for her care. This action triggered a severe rift with her siblings, and the money was subsequently seized. The estate, reportedly valued at over £400,000 including the sale of Mrs. Wills' Norfolk home, saw Ms. Rogers' siblings receive their shares while she initially received none.
Andrew Wills, executor of the estate and brother to Ms. Rogers, stated that the siblings were unaware of any agreement for Ms. Rogers to be paid for her care beyond a weekly allowance and reimbursement for expenses. He claimed that the family had always attempted to act in the best interests of the estate and had made offers of payment that were not accepted.
In 2025, the High Court ruled that Ms. Rogers had entered into an informal contract with her mother for care. The court also found that her mother's estate had benefited from her care under the legal principle of unjust enrichment. A subsequent hearing in August determined the compensation amount, awarding Ms. Rogers £150 per day for 850 days of care, totaling £127,500.
Mr. Wills described the judgment as "disappointing" and indicated an appeal, questioning the amount awarded and stating it was significantly more than commercial care home costs. Ms. Rogers, however, believes her case could establish a precedent for other family caregivers facing similar disputes.
"It's absolutely wonderful," Ms. Rogers said. "Finding out that this is going to set a precedent and create case law to enable others to do the same thing. All you feel like you're doing is fighting for your freedom to start with and then fighting for a just resolution."
The legal battle has resulted in the family remaining estranged. Ms. Rogers expressed her devastation that her siblings provided statements against her during the criminal proceedings. "She would be terribly upset," Ms. Rogers said of her mother's potential reaction to the family fallout. "She would be devastated if she knew how her children could turn on one of us in such a short time."