I HAVE signed a power of attorney to my son, and I do trust him to deal with everything. But I am worried that social workers will ignore him and just put me in a nursing home where they want without me having any say, and I might be short of money or be left in difficulty.

The power of attorney is a strong legal document that prevents anyone from obstructing your son, or taking precedence over his wishes on your behalf. And you cannot be forced to go anywhere, like a care home, without your consent and you/or attorney agreeing. He will also have legal control over all the money and the fact that you have signed power over to him doesn’t mean he should not continue to ask you for your wishes. he is there to help as an agent , not to replace you.

I BOUGHT a car a few months ago, which had a private plate on it. I sent away for the log book and it came back still with that registration on it, the problem is I don’t want it, wondered if I could sell it, does it mean its legally my plate now if it’s on my log book?

The number is a separate legal property from the car, and if you own both you can sell one without the other as long as you do the necessary admin with DVLA.

I WAS assaulted by my boyfriend, getting cuts and bruises around my head and got £1000 criminal injuries compensation. I had a lawyer, and I was not sure of getting more than that if I went ahead, so I signed for the £1000. Can I now go back and reclaim for more?

Probably not. You would have signed a receipt or mandate that the payment was in full and final settlement, and indeed were legally advised at the time. Also the rates of compensation are strictly set for criminal injuries, and it is unlikely you would have got more for this anyway.

MY grandmother promised me an old fob watch she had in her house to be given after she died. She told me she had put this in her will, but the only will produced by the lawyer doesn’t mention it. I don’t know if there is another will – how can I find out?

There is no central register of wills, so you would need to check with any lawyers local to your grandma, and perhaps put an advert in a newspaper such as the Evening Times, and in the Law Society of Scotland Journal asking for anyone to come forward. Sadly your aged relative may have changed her mind or just not ever got round to doing anything about this promise- which is unenforceable as it was verbal only.