I am in a similar situation and I wondered if same applies. My father married for the third time to a woman from South Africa over there in 2010. She came over here to stay with my father in August 2011 after an immigration appeal. My father died in March this year. He had money in the bank plus insurance policies. I thought everything would go to his wife as next of kin.
AAssuming there was no will, the wife (no matter how many times the deceased has been married and how many children he may have) is entitled to the first £50,000. After that there is a scheme of division between the spouse and any children in set shares.
QI bought a flat with a partner but it didn't work out and he left. He had not contributed to the price of the flat so he signed the title back to my name alone, through lawyers. I tried to re-mortgage and was told an inhibition was raised against him at my address in February this year. How can I get this removed?
AIt depends on whether the actual title was transferred to you at the time of your separation. If it was, then the person or company raising the inhibition (which is a court order to stop a debtor disposing of assets like a house or flat) is too late and the inhibition can be ignored. But if not, then the only way of getting it lifted is either if he repays the debt in full, or you can get the creditor to accept that there is no value in your ex's share of the property.
QI went to a shopping centre to buy kitchen units, but was refused credit. No reason was given for this, but it made me wonder if somehow I have got a bad credit history – or rather someone has got me one by using my name. How can I find out?
AThe retailer will tell you which credit reference agency it has used to get your rating. Write to that company and request a copy of your credit file. You will have to pay a small fee. If there is any inaccurate information held about you, then you can require the credit reference agency to correct it.
QI built a small extension to my house but did not get planning permission. Someone has told me that the council can force me to knock it down if they find out.
AThe local planning authority has a range of statutory powers allowing it to serve you notice that can ultimately cause you to reinstate the house as it was. However, you are entitled to appeal the notice and even apply for retrospective permission. If the extension is up for four years without challenge, the alteration becomes lawful and cannot be interfered with. But even after this you are open to action by the building control department if the actual construction is not up to standard.
