QMy wife and I are separating, and she says she wants the house sold so she can get half the value.

But I bought the house before I met her and was in it for months before we started living together.

AIf your home was not bought with the intention that it was to become a family home, your wife has no right to it.

But even if she has a small claim on a share of its increase in value during the marriage, you should not be forced to sell, especially if you have children living there or at least until they are grown up.

QI WORKED for more than nine years in the same office. I then transferred over to new employers under the TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment) rules.

My contracted hours are 38 hours, including a paid 45-minute lunch break. Now, to bring me into line with then firm's policy, I have been told I will not be entitled to my paid break.

I am willing to work an extra half hour per day to keep my 38 hours, but have been told I have to drop this paid break and drop to 35 hours a week.

A The basic law is that an employer, even a new one taking over under TUPE, cannot change your contract without being in breach – unless there is a clause in your original contract allowing changes like this.

If there is nothing in writing, your options are to accept the change, refuse it and resign and treat the resignation as constructive dismissal, or to work on and retain the right to have the court or tribunal rule on the change.

But do not do anything without expert, detailed legal advice.

QI want to make a will to leave all my money to charities because I do not wish to give my selfish family more than they have.

I am divorced, have one son and two sisters. Can they contest the will?

A The siblings have no claim, but your son has a legal claim that can make inroads. He is not entitled to your house, but can claim up to half of any money and investments after debts have been paid.

See a lawyer for estate planning to minimise the share your son can get.

QI have been separated for three years. My husband moved to Cardiff leaving no forwarding address.

How do I go about finding him or getting a divorce without his consent, and how long do I need to wait?

AWe use tracing agents (detectives) who can usually find a person quickly and at a moderate fee.

But whether or not you find him, you are entitled to raise a divorce action (and in Scotland even though he is in Wales) based on your separation being for more than two years.

If he cannot be traced before that, the court may require you to advertise the case in a newspaper, but you cannot be held hostage in the marriage forever.