Last year my mother died and my dad was left with the mortgage.

The insurance company refused to pay out as my mum had not informed them that she had had a sore back years before she took up the policy. She was never asked to take a medical and because she never missed a day's work, she did not think it was necessary to tick the box on the form. My father's house is now at risk.

This is a problem. insurance is a contract of " the utmost good faith" and all questions have to be answered more fully than in, say, an ordinary purchase. This is a classic way for insurance companies to get out of paying after taking your premiums for years. But if they are in fact being unfair, try the Financial Ombudsman Service www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/

My wife left me three years ago and I don't know where she lives. I want to get a divorce but I don't know what to do about it if I can't get hold of her to come to court.

You may not need her at all. As long as you have all the financial information and documentation you need, you can get your solicitor to draw the papers, raise the action at court and serve it on your ex by advertising it in a newspaper of record, if the court agrees. If she doesn't answer within a set time (usually three weeks), you can ask the court for the divorce without her practical involvement.

My daughter had an accident two years ago on council property leaving her permanently scarred. I got in touch with one of those accident companies, but they would not take the case as she was only six years old. I have written to, emailed and telephoned the appropriate council department but have never got a reply. Can I claim compensation on my wee girl's behalf?

You can act as her legal guardian and pursue compensation, of course you can. Indeed legal aid may very well be available for initially the investigative part of the claim, as your daughter has no income and no capital to get in the way of her eligibility for cover. If the council was at fault then your daughter ought to be entitled to compensation.

I live with my girlfriend who bought the flat before I was with her. I am wondering if I can be put out of the house if she dies. She does not have a will, is legally still married but her ex left her before I came to stay. Does she have a claim on anything?

First of all she should make a will. If you split up she can tear up the will. But as things stand her husband and children will share the estate. Under the Family Law Act you as cohabitant can make a court claim for financial provision after partner's death, and it will be up to the sheriff to decide what you get, depending on how long you have lived together, what sort of relationship you had, and what sort of arrangements you had made about money.

Austin Lafferty is on YOUR Radio, 10-11pm every Wednesday, www.yourradiofm.com or 103 and 106.9FM.