Q:  I have engaged a contractor to do extension work on my home and he has since gone bust. Am I liable to pay his sub-contractors in respect of the work they have done?

Q: Shortly before Christmas I went to a local pub for a meal with some friends. During the evening I popped outside to make a phone call. As I was returning after making the call I tripped on the raised lip of a cracked paving slab. I put my hands out to stop the fall but unfortunately in the process I broke my right wrist. As I drive for a living it has meant I have not been able to work. Is there any action can I take to get some compensation?

Q: My solicitor advised me some years ago to set up an Enduring Power of Attorney so that I could act for my parents and handle their financial affairs. I recently mentioned this to a neighbour who has elderly parents, but when she sought legal advice she was advised to take out a Lasting Power of Attorney. What is the difference?

Q: My husband and I have grown apart, but it suits him not to divorce. I haven’t worked since having the children, who are now grown up, so I don’t have a pension in my own right. If we did divorce, would I be entitled to a share of my husband’s pension? I believe he has a substantial private pension fund but I have always left financial matters to him..

Q: Is it possible to sort out the finances of a divorce without going through the courts to keep things on a more amicable footing for the sake of the children?

Q: We are a small local charity. One of our volunteers regularly lets us down after agreeing to come in, and when she does come in she only does the bits of the “job” she wants to do. Could there be repercussions if we ask her not to come in again? And should we have provided her with any kind of agreement?

Q: I am a University lecturer. Due to increased workload I have been off work for the last two semesters with stress. The University has now announced it is looking to make redundancies among teaching staff. My husband says I shouldn’t worry because they can’t make people redundant who are off on long term sick leave or maternity leave. Is this true?

Q:  I have just opened a single room beauty salon where I am the only beauty therapist. I play relaxing music to my clients on CDs that I bring from home, but one of my clients says I should have a licence. Is this correct?

Q: I have a degenerative disease and am likely to need residential care within 10-15 years. A friend says if I gift my home to my son and I survive it by 7 years, the local authority cannot take my home into account when assessing my means. Should I transfer my home now to qualify for assistance if I need long term care in the future?

Q: I owe nearly £10,000 on a credit card. I took it out under a special offer and now can’t get the balance down. I have tried to apply for other cheaper credit cards but without success. I don’t think the interest rate I am paying is very fair and I don’t think the credit card company is treating me fairly either. Is there anything I can do?