Angela Brown

with Nigel Read Q. Many years ago my husband and I made a will leaving everything to be shared equally between our two daughters, who were also named as executors. The solicitor at the time suggested he be named as a third executor. Was this necessary?

A. There’s a long list of possible reasons why your daughters may need professional help when it comes to winding up your affairs. The job of executor is a position of some responsibility, involving a fair amount of work which may not be straightforward. If your executors do not carry out their duties properly, they are personally liable for any claims against the estate.

It’s not possible to second guess your solicitor’s intentions without knowing more about you, but your daughters may be able to deal with the estate administration themselves and call in a solicitor if they need legal assistance. You would have to alter your will accordingly, or make a new one.

DESCENDING DAMP

Q. Is there anything I can do about my neighbour’s leaky pipe which drains down the outside of the wall, and which I’m sure is contributing to my losing battle against damp? It’s been like this for three years now and their property is currently up for sale. The house is empty and the owners just pop in every now and again to show people round.

A. Since your neigh-