I need to write a letter of complaint to contractors who laid a new drive for me a few months ago, as it is already showing signs of sinkage. I have seen complaint letters that start with “Without Prejudice”. Is this something I need to start my letter with, and if so, what does it signify?

My wife and I have been married for eleven years. When we got married, I also took on her two-year old son, though I was not able to formally adopt him as his father is alive and occasionally bothers to see him. I did, however, take full financial responsibility for him. Sadly, things have not worked out between me and my wife and now we are going to separate. I have two questions regarding my step-son: firstly, will I still be responsible for him financially; secondly will I have any legal access rights to see him?

My wealthy neighbours, both in their nineties, made Wills years ago, leaving everything to each other and naming each other as sole executors. The husband had no children, but the wife had a granddaughter. The wife died recently, so her husband inherited everything and her granddaughter got nothing.

My wife and I bought our house eight years ago. I paid the deposit from the sale of a property I owned previously. Whilst the house and mortgage are in joint names, I have always paid the mortgage, with my wife contributing less than a third. For several years I worked overtime to pay cash for a large extension we built. We have no children and both have full time jobs and share running costs. Now we are going our separate ways, my question is - can I get more than 50% of the house as I put more money into it?

My widowed father-in-law has had a stroke which has left him without speech. He appears to know what is going on around him but as he cannot communicate, how can my husband and I get access to his bank account so that we can pay his bills etc?

My wife and I made Lasting Power of Attorneys a few years ago. Since then, I have started my own business which has proved successful. My wife is not involved in the business, and my son is too young to join me, but I hope he will eventually take over. Can I update my LPA to add the appointment of another attorney who can take responsibility for paying the company’s bills, salaries etc, and keep the business going for my family if anything should unexpectedly happen to me?

My mother died a few years ago and my father has recently passed away. I have one biological sibling and two step siblings (from my mother, not my father). My father, however, treated all of us exactly the same and raised all four of us as his own. I do not think he left a Will, although I do not know where to start. If he did not leave a Will, can I assume that the estate is to be divided equally between the four of us children?

Mrs Jones next door just got her Solicitor to do Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) documents for Property and Financial Affairs, and for Health and Welfare. She says anything that happens to her during her lifetime, such as becoming ill or losing capacity, the LPAs give her family the legal right to deal with her affairs and make the right decisions for her.  Do I need one?

My father, who lived 150 miles away, recently died. He was befriended by a neighbour when he became frail and at the time I was grateful to know someone was there for him when I couldn’t be. However, I have now discovered that he made a Will two weeks before he died, leaving everything to the neighbour. I fear he was coerced into making this Will. Do you think I have grounds to challenge it?

My wife and I made Lasting Power of Attorneys a few years ago. Since then, I have started my own business which has proved successful. My wife is not involved in the business, and my son is too young to join me, but I hope he will eventually take over. Can I update my LPA to add the appointment of another attorney who can take responsibility for paying the company’s bills, salaries etc, and keep the business going for my family if anything should unexpectedly happen to me?