Woman wins £127k claim in family dispute over mum's care

Bern says her mother wanted to be cared for at home A woman has described her "phenomenal" relief after she won a legal case that means she is entitled to be paid for caring for her elderly mother in her final years. Bern Rogers, from Bristol, told the BBC of the "harrowing and deeply sad" family dispute since her elderly mother Sheila died in 2020, which even led to her facing criminal charges. Legal experts said the "hugely significant" High Court ruling would lead to other claims. The executor of Sheila's estate, Bern's brother Andrew, said it had "always been willing to pay" her "genuine expenses" and an extra amount for her efforts. But the estate intends to appeal against the judgment that awarded Bern £127,500 for care she provided. Theatres at risk and fighting back across the West 'Beloved cats need more protection from drivers' Teenage boy dies in crash following police pursuit Bern looked after Sheila, who had dementia, for two-and-a-half years. After Sheila moved into Bern's house in Bristol in September 2017, she wanted to be cared for a residential care home. Crucially, Bern said she agreed with her mother she would be paid for the round-the-clock care. After Sheila died in April 2020, Bern took £100,000 from her estate. It led to her being reported to the police for fraud and theft. The money was seized and Bern was charged. But, at a trial at Bristol Crown Court in 2022, she was found not guilty by a jury. After being cleared, Bern turned to the civil courts. In 2025, a High Court judge ruled she had entered into an informal contract with Sheila for payment of a reasonable sum for her care. The estate was also ordered by a judge to pay Bern's legal costs. In August this year, another High Court judge worked out the amount Bern was due and ruled she was owed £127,500 for the 850 days of care she provided. Sheila was diagnosed with dementia after moving in with her daughter "Mum came to live with me, she became very confused and was seen wandering in the garden and obviously needed care," Bern said. "We didn't know what was wrong with her." She said caring for her mother had been like a full-time job, adding: "I couldn't leave her really. She became unpredictable." Sheila became more frail, was diagnosed with dementia and also had a series of physical health problems, including a "chronic" and "disabling" prolapse.