You and the Law

My husband recently left me. He had several catalogue accounts and he told me to notify the catalogue companies because he didn’t want further contact with me. So I told them his new address and where he works, but the post is being returned marked ‘not known’ and, since he works for a family firm, his employers are denying any knowledge of him.

I work in the security industry and the firm I work for has lost the contract for the building I work in. However, the company taking over has offered me a job. My current employer says this is a Tupe transfer, but the new firm says not. Who is right, since one of them will owe me money in lieu of holiday pay?

I recently suffered a broken leg from a fall at work. I was off for several weeks on full pay. A friend suggested I should claim compensation, but I fear it could damage my relationship with my employers, who are a small family firm which has been good to me over the years. What do you advise?

When I work out what I own I estimate it will come to more than the inheritance tax threshold of £325,000. Will my beneficiaries have to pay inheritance tax on the entire amount, or just the amount which is over the £325,000 limit?

We live in a dead-end road over which we have a right of way. There are only six houses, but one of the owners claims to have a right to park his car in the road, which gives us just 18in to squeeze past on foot. As far as I am aware, none of the other properties has parking rights. How did our neighbour get his?

When my father died he left everything to my stepmother. She then made a will leaving her savings to her daughter and the house to me and my brothers. Recently she has had to go into care, and the house has to be sold to pay for it. If the house has been sold, does this mean we will lose any rights to the proceeds should there be anything left when she dies?