Q:  My employer has just laid me off without any warning.  I have checked in my employment contract and much to my surprise discover the Company is within their rights to do this.  What I can't find in the contract, however, is any reference to how long can they lay me off for? 

Dying intestate has serious implications. But if you are a business owner the implications can be far greater.

Q:  I notified my employer eight weeks ago that I am currently pregnant with my second child. Last week I tripped over some loose carpet in the office, winding myself badly and breaking my arm. At the hospital they were worried about the baby and insisted I had a scan. It was very frightening. My husband was furious and said my employers should have carried out a workplace risk assessment when I told them I was pregnant. Is this correct?

Q:  My limited company may no longer be viable, but as my cousin made a loan to the company I don't want to wind it up unless I have to. What is the best way forward, and the cheapest way to wind up the company if it becomes necessary?

Q.  I am concerned about my elderly mother. Although she is housebound she still has all of her mental faculties. My brother lives with her in the family home but recently my mother has told me that a couple of years ago my brother arranged for a Solicitor to prepare a Lasting Power of Attorney Property and Affairs (LPA) which appointed my brother as her sole Attorney. My mother has absolutely no idea what is happening to her money and she is worried sick as there are red letters coming through the door every day. Clearly I need to do something about the situation but I am loath to confront my brother without knowing any concrete facts. Please can you advise what I should do?  

Q.  My neighbour is selling her house and her solicitor informed her that she needed to register her septic tank with the Environment Agency.  The tank was installed many years ago. I also have a septic tank installed at my property which has been there since the property was built in the 1970s. I have had no notification from the Environment Agency that I must register it.  Do I need to register my septic tank?   Do I need a permit?

Q:  I have been renting commercial premises for three years and have spent a considerable amount of money upgrading them to attract more custom. Now my lease is coming to an end. I would like to renew it as the business is doing well, but I haven't heard from my landlord. I am worried that he might want me to vacate the premises. Am I entitled to stay?

Q:  I have been asked to supply a reference for a former employee. Can you tell me, what is the difference between a corporate reference and a personal reference?

Q:  My elderly mother has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and has recently been admitted into a local Care Home. Her condition has progressed to the stage where she can no longer sign cheques so I went to the bank to see what I should do. They said they required a Power of Attorney before they would give me any information.  I am worried because my mother owns a house and I cannot pay any bills in relation to this without access to her account. Should I ask a solicitor to prepare a Power of Attorney for my mother?.

Q:  My husband and I are named as executors in my late grandfather's will. Apart from a few specific legacies the only remaining asset of his estate was his mortgage free house. The residuary estate was left equally to his 3 surviving children (my two uncles and an aunt). One of my uncles was living with my grandfather. Now he refuses to leave, saying he is unemployed and has nowhere to go. He is also being obstructive, refusing us access to carry out repairs or market the property for sale so that we can finalise the estate. He has not sought to challenge any of the provisions under my grandfathers will and whilst we believed everything would be amicable and he would move out when necessary, this does not now look to be the case. What can we do?