My neighbours have thick overgrowing trees that hang over my monoblock driveway, and I get twigs and leaves dropping on my driveway which I have to pay a gardener to clear.

When I got him to trim back the branches, the neighbours threatened to call the police. What are my rights?

They are pretty simple. You are entitled to cut back or get a tradesman to cut back any branches overhanging your property. Indeed you are then entitled to give them back to the neighbour for him to dispose of them. The police cannot get involved, indeed if they know the law they will confirm to your selfish neighbours what I am saying is correct.

I moved into a new property five months ago. The builders assisted me to do a snagging list of faults within it. I was told that these would be rectified as they could spare men from the site. Since that time other faults have emerged. My problem is I have to continually search for the foreman to ask when he will attend to these. They are making my life miserable and every day is spent chasing them, getting false promises and then, quite frankly feeling humiliated when no-one shows up.

Take a copy of your list and write a letter marked Private & Personal to the Managing Director of the builders. Outline the let-downs and history and tell him he is in breach of contract. If that doesn't work see your solicitor about suing them.

I have recently made out a will which leaves my house to my sons. I am concerned that should I end up in care, it would be taken and sold to meet care costs. I recall reading that if the house for example was passed on (sold) to a family member seven or more years from date of death then the house could not be claimed by any such authority.

No, the seven year rule is for inheritance tax purposes, there is no such limit on care benefits. No problem if you sell at full price to boys, but if you give away your house, you are treated for assessment purposes as if you still own it if you go into care. But the authorities cannot take your house away if still in your name. All they can do is to refuse you benefits, meaning you/your family have to find the money for private care costs. Take detailed advice.

My separation document states ex husband is responsible for all divorce court costs. Neither of us would be entitled to legal aid. He says he cannot afford to pay the divorce fees.

You can raise the divorce action, and show the court a copy of the separation agreement. The court will grant the divorce, award costs and you can get sheriff officers to enforce this. You may have to pay your lawyer and then get the money back through the court order though. The alternative is to use the agreement's Books of Council & Session registration as a court order and enforce it first, again by sheriff officers, and then do the divorce.