Saving for a parent's care shouldn't tear a family apart
When families start pooling money for elder care, things get messy fast. Who paid? Who's behind? Who decides how the money gets used?
Without a system, resentment builds and trust breaks down.
“Did you send it yet?”
The same awkward text every month. No one wants to be the enforcer, so contributions slip.
“Who’s actually keeping track?”
One sibling ends up running a spreadsheet — or worse, keeping everything in their head.
“Why does one person decide?”
When care costs hit, one person shouldn’t have unilateral control over family money.
Track everything. Approve everything. No confusion.
This is how it actually works.
No more group chats. No more spreadsheets. Just one system everyone uses.
One person holds the money. Everyone else holds them accountable.
Your family selects an Owner — a real person with a real bank account. CareVault doesn’t touch the funds. It simply tracks every dollar that goes in and out.
Every contribution is visible. Nothing slips.
Family members send money however they choose — Venmo, Zelle, bank transfer, or cash. They log the payment. The Owner confirms receipt. Everyone sees the status.
No one spends money alone.
When care expenses appear, the Owner uploads the invoice. The family votes before the money is spent.
You always know where things stand.
See how much is saved, how long it will last, and whether the family is on track.
This is what your family actually sees.
One screen. Every dollar tracked. Every decision visible.
No spreadsheets. No guessing. No arguments.
Linda's CareVault
Linda, 72
Total Tracked
$24,300
Goal: $150,000 by 2035 · 16% funded
CareVault tracks contributions only. Your money stays in your bank account.
This Month's Contributions
Target: $1,200/moProjection
At current pace, you'll reach $150,000 by 2033 — 2 years early.
With projected care cost of $6,000/mo, you currently have 4.1 years of coverage.
Monthly Contributions
Recent Activity
Sarah confirmed Tom’s $200 contribution
Care Mode requested: Assisted living quote uploaded
Invoice ‘Sunrise Senior June’ approved and marked paid
Reminder sent to Mike: $100 remaining this month
Pending Approvals
Care Mode Activation
2 of 3 votes received
Invoice: Sunrise Senior — $6,000
1 of 3 approvals · Due Apr 5
Everyone knows their role. No one oversteps.
Clear roles eliminate confusion and power struggles.
Owner
FiduciaryHolds the money in their personal bank account. Confirms contributions. Submits invoices. Cannot approve large expenses alone.
Co-Signer
ApproverApproves major expenses and role changes. Provides the second vote required for protected decisions.
Viewer
ObserverSees everything and tracks their own contributions. Cannot confirm payments or approve expenses.
Care Recipient
ProtectedReceives updates and can view the dashboard. Has no financial control.
Everything is designed to eliminate confusion and prevent conflict
Family scoreboard
See total savings, progress toward the goal, and who is current or behind.
Contribution tracking
Log payments via Venmo, Zelle, bank transfer, or cash. Upload proof.
Approval voting
Large expenses require family approval. Every vote is recorded.
Invoice management
Upload care invoices before payments happen.
Automated reminders
Members get nudged before and after contribution deadlines.
Immutable audit trail
Every action is permanently logged with timestamps.
CareVault is not a bank. That's the point.
CareVault never holds your family's money.
Your family keeps the funds in the Owner's bank account. CareVault simply provides the system that keeps everything transparent.
Funds stay in the Owner’s personal account.
Families send money directly via Venmo, Zelle, or bank transfer.
CareVault provides coordination tools, not financial guidance.
Common Questions
Does CareVault hold or move my family’s money?
No. CareVault never holds, stores, or transfers any funds. One family member (the Owner) keeps the money in their own bank account. CareVault tracks every dollar and keeps everyone accountable.
How do contributions work?
Family members send money to the Owner directly — Venmo, Zelle, bank transfer, cash. They log the contribution in CareVault and optionally upload proof. The Owner confirms receipt. Everyone sees the status.
What prevents the Owner from misusing funds?
Every contribution is tracked with timestamps. Large expenses require a family vote. Care mode activation needs co-signer approval. The full audit trail is visible to every member. Transparency is the safeguard.
What happens when care is actually needed?
The Owner activates Care Mode with documentation. The family votes to approve. Once active, the Owner submits care invoices for family approval before logging any payments. No unilateral spending.
Can we change who the Owner is?
Yes. Role reassignment requires a family vote. This covers voluntary changes, incapacity, or death. Every change is permanently logged in the audit trail.
What if someone stops contributing?
The dashboard shows exactly who is behind and by how many months. Automated reminders go out before and on due dates. Everyone can see the scoreboard — accountability through transparency.