You and the Law

We have planning consent to build an extension. As requested, I wrote to the freeholders to let them know. They gave their consent, but they are asking for a £225 administration fee. Can they charge us that much money?

When my husband got divorced in 1995 he made a will leaving everything to his two sons. I have been married to him for 18 months after living with him for three years. If anything was to happen to him would his sons claim the house, since my husband hasn’t made a new will?

Our neighbour’s old conservatory used to overhang slightly on to our property. But the new one is worse: because of the slope the sill and guttering jut into our drive at head height. We told the neighbour and the builder not to do this, but they went ahead anyway. Can we do anything that doesn’t involve expensive legal action?

Our son has loaned us quite a lot of money to buy our house. How would we go about having his name put on the title deeds, since we want to make sure he will benefit from the property in the long run?

Four months ago I slipped on some liquid on the floor of a supermarket. I was five months pregnant at the time and bruised my elbow very badly and am still seeing the doctor about shooting pains up my arm. The supermarket said I would be contacted by their insurance company, but I have heard nothing further. Should I contact a solicitor about compensation?

One of my daughters is planning to move house with her husband and I wish to give £20,000 towards the purchase. Can you let me know what the
implications will be? I have been told I will be liable for a tax bill as I
am only allowed to give her £3,000.