Fair Deal implications for voluntary farm transfers and wills

The Nursing Home Support Scheme Act, 2009, more commonly known as "The Fair Deal Scheme" was signed into law in July, 2009, for those in need of care in a nursing home environment — and it adds a completely new dimension to the voluntary transfer of farming assets by a farmer to a child, and also has consequences in relation to a will.

The Act is about a scheme to help mainly the elderly with maintenance costs in a nursing home.

The amount of state support a person receives is based on an assessment of their means.