Title: Awful neighbours..

Question:
My neighbour was a single mother with 3 or 4 toddlers/young children. She recently had her boyfriend move in with her and he brought his dog (she already had one). This young couple must've had a cat that gave birth to 4 kittens... And they for some reason decided to keep all 5 cats.

The issue is,
They neglect all 5 cats, practically starve them. They are verbally abusive to their children 24/7 and I can constantly hear them yelling and swearing at them from my house, it's very brutal. They even swear at their dogs, which then cry because they're terrified.
I love cats, and my family has been taking care of one of their unloved kittens. If we hadn't have fed her she would've starved to death.

I guess I'm asking, what can I do about it? What SHOULD I do? Is there anything I can do?

Answer: You can call animal control about the animals, and your state's child protective agency about the kids.Answer #2: Call child protective services?


Title: I want to give my stepdad papers to adopt me. I’m 20

Question: I’m 20 years old, and as a birthday present I wanted to give my stepfather the papers to adopt me, since he is my father figure. Would my actual dad have to sign away his “rights” even though he has nothing to do with me? Would I need a lawyer and would it be pricey to actually do this? Thanks for any info!

Answer:
 Check the website for your states Secretary of State, there's probably information there on the relevant procedures.

Edit: it's human services for Mississippi.


Title: Today my summer tenant texted me saying that she hasn't yet paid rent, that she is moving out, and is only paying for the 10 days of August she stayed. No warning. What do I do?

Question:
[NJ]
I found her the first week of July and she moved in on the first Sunday. I offered to pay the first half of the month (due to her missing a week) and we had no problems. She moved in and wanted an AC unit so I bought her one because I'm a pushover. She ended up getting a ticket for parking on the street without a permit, which no one I know has gotten. I looked it up, and offered to send her the right paperwork for her to get a permit at parking authority.

Her utility bill came in and she racked up a bill of $100 for two weeks of living there. Due to being a student and knowing it's shocking, my other 2 roommates and I split it with her, with her only paying $25. The other day, after letting her know the rent was due the first, she decided to tell me no, and that she'd have it on the 8th. I get it, stuff happens, so I let it slide. She then texted me on Saturday asking where to address the check to and what we were "going to do about these tickets." She got 3 because she couldn't find time to make it to the parking authority. I told her that I have already paid practically a months rent for her and that I could not spare more to pay for these tickets.

They were $27 each, and she told me she would handle it. Then I got a text today from her telling me that she is paying for the 10 days she stayed, subtracting $90 for her tickets, and that was it. She never paid rent which means that my spot in the house is compromised and I could be evicted.

I know that when it is less than a year, a verbal agreement has as much merit as a written one. I have emails and texts that say she would be staying until September 1st. I told her I could look into taking legal action and she replied saying "let me know where I can send the check for the 10 days, thank you." She's obviously not willing to cooperate. I have done everything possible to help her out. Had we not split the utilities, the money used towards the tickets would be used for that. She said it's not her problem that I felt bad and helped her. She honestly wants me to pay for her tickets as well. I don't have the money for that, that is why I rented out. What actions do I take from here? She's not willing to compromise, but I don't have a college room and $500 plus utilities to spare either. Any help is appreciated. Could I get in contact with law students at my school for help? What do I do?

She also just blocked my number apparently.

Answer:
 "She said it's not her problem that I felt bad and helped her."

Bingo!

However, don't pay those tickets. Those are her problem.Answer #2: Send her a demand letter for the full month's rent, via certified mail.  Mention that you will pursue further action if she doesn't pay within 30 days.  Most likely that will get her to pay up.  If not, go ahead and file in small claims.  You have a very strong case.

About the tickets, why should you pay them?  They were for her car, so they shouldn't affect you at all.Answer #3: The real answer is that you should be seizing the security deposit you collected for this exact reason, or looking at her prepaid rent already in your bank account for a short term sublet. But now that she's taken advantage of you, sending a scary demand letter citing the relevant landlord tenant law and making a clear threat to sue is your best route to get results.Answer #4: Sue her.  If there is a free law clinic at the school then ask then for assistance.  If not call the local county court and ask for information on suing in small claims court - or look on their web site for it.  Do a little online research on how to prepare for a small claims case, and if you do sue her then spend a day, or at least a few hours, in court beforehand to watch how other small claims cases are done.  Ask the court clerk for the days and time these are heard.

Give he the address to send the check but tell her you expect payment in full or else you will sue her in small claims court.


Title: Friend suspects multiple families living in downstairs unit; landlord unresponsive. What are her options? (NJ)

Question:
My friend lives in the upstairs unit of a row home in NJ with two roommates. Her downstairs neighbors of two years are a Muslim family with three kids, ages 6-12. She does not talk to them because there was an issue a while back where the father and a former roommate got into a screaming match over parking spots that soured the relationship. The units share a front door that opens into a landing with their door, then stairs upstairs into my friend's unit.

My friend just called me at her wit's end. For the past six weeks suddenly there are 20 or 30 people in and out of that downstairs unit, mostly children but also younger women in hijab. She says suddenly there is a baby crying at all hours and she never saw the mother pregnant (they occasionally cross paths in the downstairs laundry). She'll leave for work in the morning to five or six women standing inside on the landing, and then come home from work and they'll be teenage boys on the porch hanging out of the front door. The family has also left "the contents of a Payless" shoe store all over the landing; meaning the floor she has to cross to get to her stairs to her apartment is covered in shoes where before they neatly stacked them on a shoe rack by their door. This is both in the morning and in the evening, so she things the people are staying their overnight.

She contacted her landlord on Saturday because she is concerned that either multiple families are now living in the unit beyond it's three bedroom capacity, or that they are running an illegal daycare/babysitting service (because kids, moms, and babies). Her landlord has as of Thursday not responded to multiple text messages and calls, although he cashed the rent check she left in the garage mailbox on Monday so he had to have been at the unit.

She has no idea what to do. She lives in a shady area and is concerned about all the strangers leaving the front door unlocked. The baby cries at all hours. Strange cars are taking her units' designated spots. Since her landlord is refusing to answer the phone, she feels like she's out of options but fears for her safety. I advised calling the police to file a noise complaint, but she is genuinely concerned if she reports the family to the police they will be discriminated against for being Muslim or otherwise unfairly targeted due to recent events in NJ.

I also suggested she look at her lease to see what her rights are, but what should she do? What options exist for a tenant when the neighbors are jeopardizing her safety and the landlord is unresponsive?

Answer: Rat them out to the city. Seriously.


Title: [NJ] Just graduated college and my father is trying to serve me emancipation papers, but I am diabetic. Is it worth the fight?

Question:
Quick background: my parents were divorced over 10 years ago and in the divorce settlement my father was legally obligated to pay for my entire college tuition and expenses. He still pays my mother child support but has attempted to emancipate me back in 2012. I attend college out of state and my mother works out of the country. When I go home, I stay at his house a few days, but mostly at my friends place or my mothers house. I recently accepted a job a few hours away from NJ with an annual salary of 40K (before taxes).  Fast forward to today and he has fulfilled that obligation of paying my entire college experience and is requesting my proof of graduation and my work acceptance letter so he can file the motion for emancipation. I asked him to assist me in paying a part of my rent prior to these events and he agreed he would continue to support me even after I was emancipated.

I'm a type 1 diabetic and paying alone for that equates to hundreds of dollars in addition to other normal expenses (rent, food, utilities, transportation). Diabetes is considered a disability under the American Disabilities Act, and although my A1C is reasonable my blood sugars are constantly high and low. I don't have the funds to hire a lawyer.

Is it worth trying to fight the motion that my diabetes can be used a disability to prevent me from being emancipated? My father has disclosed to me that he is mainly doing this because he doesn't want to continue paying my mother child support, but he has no obligation to give me anything after emancipation occurs.

Greatly appreciate any advice.
Topic:
Custody Divorce and Family

Answer:
 It's going to depend on the wording of the child support settlement.  If he was only required to pay for your college (with no reference to paying for your medicals), then you've reached an end of his support.

You're an adult now that is starting a post-collegiate full time job.  Why would you think you/your mom are still entitled to child support payments?


Title: Caught driving while suspended in OR, class A misdemeanor

Question:
Hey. I was recently caught driving while suspended/revoked in Portland Oregon. I am suspended/revoked as a habitual offender. This is my first time after the 5 year revocation I’ve been in trouble. But it’s a DWS Class A Misdemeanor.. I didn’t drive for the 5 years. And before, I got the habitual offender status by 20 moving violations within 5 years. I was never able to afford to get my license back so i kept driving to and from work so they gave me the habitual offender revocation.

Anyway. I can’t afford a lawyer. I got married 2 years ago and had a baby 2 months ago. I am really scared if I’m going to see jail time as my wife isn’t working and we’re moving out of state for a new job for me.

Does anyone have any experience with DWS ticket being a habitual offender? It states up to 1 year in jail and $6250 in fines. I can’t go to jail or get stuck in the state as my new job is the only job that’s going to allow me keep a roof over my families head.

Please let me know if any outcomes one has seen or heard of in a situation like this.

First time on reddit btw.

Answer:
 Sell your car. Use the proceeds for:

* Criminal defense attorney
* Bus pass
* Uber and Lyft apps on your phone
* Bicycle
* Comfortable walking shoes


Title: Military member car towed

Question:
Happy Holidays everyone.

I have a quick question. I'm in the Coast Guard and recently got stationed in Detroit from Hawaii. By time my vehicle was delivered the plates had expired. While I probably had time to get it registered in Michigan I didn't because I was getting sent to Jacksonville, FL for temporary duty for three months and decided I would do it when I got back. It was not illegally parked or anything.

I was given a week off to go home for Christmas, but when I got back I found out that the car was towed on the 13th. I talked to my apartment manager and she said they never asked for it to be towed but they have an agreement with a towing company to take cars out of the lot. When I called them they said it would be 840 dollars to get it back and the reason it was towed was because the plates. Am I right in assuming I am protected from this?

I called the USCG Legal department but I would like to know what I'm in for. Also they said that the price was so high because they had to use a low clearance tow truck to get it out but my parking space is out in the open. I'm guessing they towed a lot of cars that day and they just added that extra charge to them all regardless of whether they were in the garage of not.

Answer:
 IANAL, but this could very well be a violation of the Service Members Civil Relief Act, which requires towing companies to obtain a court order before towing service member's cars while they are on active military orders.

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-settles-towing-company-case-under-servicemembers-civil-relief-act

https://www.servicememberscivilreliefact.com/blog/car-towing-service-faces-potential-penalties-for-scra-violation/Answer #2: Unfortunately it was a legal tow from the tow company's perspective.  You had an unregistered car and it is your responsibility to have it registered.  Im sorry.


Title: [Texas] Doctor asked for husband's consent to give access to birth control (IUD).

Question:
I'll make it short. Went to my doctor for this and she said since I'm married, without child and in the right age to procreate, this can only be done after my husband signs a consent form. She said this is a "legal requirement" for the clinic and it's something she can do nothing about.

Is this seriously a legal requirement? Or some policy that the clinic came up with for their own weird reasons? I can't possibly imagine that I should need someone else's permission to get birth control.

Disclaimer: My husband just signing that form is not a problem. I'm just wondering what legal basis the doctor has for that requirement.

Answer:
 Find a new doctor and make a complaint.  Not only is this not a law, it would be unconstitutional if it were a law.

At least for a little while longer, anyway. Answer #2: Legal but it may violate ethics guidelines for licensing, you should file a complaint here: https://www.texmed.org/ethics.aspxAnswer #3: Find a new doctor. HIPPA doesn't require your husband give consent. I got a tubal without  the doctor asking for consent of my husband.Answer #4: My guess is that the physician was using the term “law” to describe what has been seen in cases where the spouse later sued a provider for inability to have children.  There are cases of urologists being sued for this and malpractice companies likely require their urologists to get this type of documentation in order to continue being covered by the policy.  This may be the case for this case as well.  Although it is not law it may be based on the risk level the doctor is comfortable with taking when inserting a device that can permanently prevent pregnancy (until removed).  Answer #5: There was a similar post from the other side, dude wanting a vasectomy and needed his wife's permission.

IIRC, some clinics have this policy because of legal issues


Title: Father is in talks to suing me

Question:
My Father whom I haven’t had the best relationship with has advised to my sister that he is in talks with an attorney to sue me for my student loans (Sallie Mae) that I am still paying on actively and was late this past month, by 11 days. He thinks I am going to screw him and he will be stuck with my loan. I don’t know what to do here or what my legal rights are. I’m 26 years old he is in his mid 50s. Can he do this? Can he take a lien on my paycheck for this? He’s advising that is what he wants to do (per my sister). I’ve spoken with my sister about this and she advised I just need to talk to him. I haven’t had a pleasant conversation in three years with him at all. I am at a loss. I don’t know if I need to reach out to an attorney as well. What my steps are? I’m scared. I’ve never had to face anything like this at all. Please can someone give me any advice?

TLDR; Father wants to sue me for student loans that I am paying on

Answer: He isn't the lender, so he can't sue you for your loans. He has no legal ground to sue you on.


Title: Rights to be topless as a woman in Canada? (ON)

Question:
So, as far as I'm aware it's totally legal for women to be topless in any public place a man can be topless in, but I have to wonder. And I going to get arrested and charged as a sex offender if I'm topless at a park and some Karen gets offended her gremlin saw a tit?

Thanks in advance!

Answer:
 Thanks to Gwen Jacob' willingness in 1991 to be a [test case](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/women-s-topless-court-victory-20-years-later-1.1026403), and to subsequent cases like _R. v. Gowan_, there are fairly well defined boundaries to this. Simply being topless is not indecent exposure, and you cannot be charged with a sexual offence on that basis. Using toplessness to advertise a commercial service (in Gowan's case, herself, as a sex worker), however, runs afoul of the sections of the Criminal Code regarding communicating for the purposes of prostitution in a public place.Answer #2: Read up on R. v. Jacob as there is already a precedent on this matter in Ontario. Women are allowed to be topless in public.Answer #3: I would strongly recommend you call the city or owner odd the park before attempting this.  Just because they don't have signs out saying "No nudity", there may still be a dress code.

Flagrantly going topless "just because" (especially with what appears to be a plan to do this in a family-friendly park from the context) is liable to not simply get you kicked out, but banned.


Title: Sublessee not paying rent or utilities but is probably unevictable. Looking for other avenues to pursue.

Question: I have been subleasing an apartment in a NYC co-op building to a man and his mother.  The mother is the one living there. They have only paid rent or electricity twice in the past 12 months.  The problem is that the mother is 95 years old and from what I hear, it will be essentially impossible to evict her.  The son has no job and is presumably using her social security payments to pay the rent on his apartment.  He probably doesn't have any assets.  Can anything be done?

Answer: You need to be a little more specific than "from what I hear, it will be essentially impossible".  What would stop you from going through the normal NYC eviction procedure?


Title: [MA] "Typo" on original lease, landlords want us to re-sign a new lease 8 months after original signing

Question:
Hi everyone! I'm a longtime lurker, but today I'm posting for the first time because of our management company's questionable practices. I tried my best with formatting, but excuse any mistakes! :)

&nbsp;

To give a little background, I live in an house in a popular off-campus location for my university. We started living in this house last September, had subletters during the summer with no incident, and are living here again for this school year. The house is divided into two duplexes, and we live on the top duplex with four people total. With some quick Googling, I found that our management company is known to be subpar at best, and has problems with being responsive to problems having to do with maintenance (among other things). However, our house is in a prime location with a "low" rent for the area it's in ($3200/mo) and we love it here.

&nbsp;

When we signed the lease renewal last year around December, we noticed that heat was to be included in our rent this time around, and we thought it was too good to be true. Our house has virtually no insulation and becomes absolutely frigid once the temperatures drop no matter how high/low we set the thermometer; the heating bill was around $100 per person even when we tried setting the thermometer at the minimum for the pipes not to freeze. So naturally, we were pretty ecstatic about the "free" heat! However, we recently had a separate issue with not having hot water for five days. During this issue, we brought the inclusion of heat in our lease to their attention during a conversation and they immediately responded with an email stating that this was a typo, and heat would not be included in our rent. They also stated that the previous lease had not been "executed" by them, so it "wasn't official yet".

Today we received an email with a new lease asking us to sign it, stating the following:

"As explained in previous email, there is an error in the renewal lease agreement that we sent out earlier this year. Attached is the correct lease agreement  that we need everyone to sign. There is no difference in the overall lease term from previous lease agreement to the new lease agreement except the following:

1) The date of the lease starts on September 1, 2015 and ends on August 28, 2016 noon time (Item#1).

2) There is an additional security deposit designated recipient form (Page 16). This form is to request you to appoint a designated person in handling the security deposit when you lease agreement expires. This form can assist everyone to receive their deposit in a more timely fashion and less confusion.

All other condition of the lease term remains the same. Please review and sign this lease agreement. Once you return the signed copy of the lease agreement, we will return an executed copy for you to keep."

&nbsp;

My roommates and I have agreed that we should not sign this new lease. They tried to be sneaky and changed the utilities included in the rent from HEAT to WATER instead, but failed to mention this change in the email. However, we are not sure what we are legally supposed to do in order to have them uphold the original lease, or how to go about the issue. Opinions? Thoughts? Any help or guidance regarding this would help us a lot. Thank you!

Answer:
 > They also stated that the previous lease had not been "executed" by them

That's a complete load of crap. You're living there and paying rent.

He's trying to get out of paying for the heat. You don't have to sign it.Answer #2: Basically what swalsh411 said.  They inherited the lease.  They can ask you nicely to change the terms and conditions but they are bound by them until the lease is up.  You can tell them to go pound sand and if they try to evict you, just show up at the court house with the lease you signed and you should be all set.

However expect that the new lease for the next time around will be changed.  That is, if they want you to lease with them again.


Title: Okay so am I fucked?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 > What's my next move to avoid getting in trouble?

you get a lawyer that does federal criminal law. you don't go get the packages; that'll probably get you arrested on the spot. if the USPIS comes calling, you don't say anything to them more complicated than "i want a lawyer."

you do all that *yesterday.*


Title: My brother was hit by a car while crossing the road this morning.

Question:
In Michigan.

He was walking across the street at a 4- way intersection. He had the right of way; The truck turned left and hit him, like in this mockup:

[https://imgur.com/a/5I1LjcI](https://imgur.com/a/5I1LjcI)

It was a hit and run.

So far we know that my brother's upper leg bone was broken and requires surgery. He also fractured one of his fingers, and had a concussion and multiple abrasions.He does not have any insurance, but someone at the hospital said they would try to sign him up for Medicaid. However if he cannot get that then of course there will be bills to be paid.It happened in the early morning (night shift), so the officer on the scene is not available at the moment. I will try to get a hold of him tonight, as I am not sure if they found the driver and the police station said the report won't be available for 3 days.  However, I am trying to get some advice before my mother jumps the gun on this.

\-Should we look for a Personal Injury Lawyer? Or a regular lawyer would be fine?

&#x200B;

\-If the person was working when this happened, does that change anything?

&#x200B;

\-If they did not find the person who did this, where do we go form there?

&#x200B;

Thank you for any advice!
Topic:
Personal Injury

Answer:
 The information here so far is wrong. Michigan is a no-fault state. You can talk to a Personal Injury lawyer even without knowing the identity of the person at fault.

If your brother has car insurance, his car insurance is liable for his injuries. If he lives with a family member with car insurance, their car insurance is liable for his injuries. If there is no one with car insurance, he can request compensation from the [Michigan Assigned Claims Plan](https://www.michacp.org/). Whoever pays may be able to request additional compensation from the driver or his employer, but there is money available to cover his injuries, including lost wages.Answer #2: if the person who hit your brother is not found, he has no recourse


Title: Can California court sentence force me to disclose personal health information (via forced speaking engagements telling about my alcoholism as assigned community service)?

Question:
The California superior court judge ordered me to 100 hours community service, "speaking to schools and/or churches about your situation" at  my DUI sentencing.

I understand it's a punishment and I need to do 100 hours of community service of some type; however, I think this could be a violation of health care privacy?

I am an alcoholic with 8 months 17 days sober. Amazingly I was a "functioning alcoholic" as far as work and community went. No one ever seemed to notice, or must have kept it to themselves if they did.

I am actively making amends where they are due, paid all fines, etc. I am worried that publicly disclosing that I was a functioning alcoholic seriously could jeopardize my future and hurt me, family, others by lost earnings potential.

The county agency that oversees community service said I've not been assigned to them for any program but implied I still need to do it and report to the judge.

Answer:
 Exactly what does the minute order sentencing you say about the community service?  What is the precise language of the order?

As for "health care privacy," talking about your alcohol use in general does not implicate this.  Nobody is requiring you to state any diagnosis by a health care professional or your treatment, or to reveal what's been said in therapy.

As for privacy in general, this is now part of a Superior Court judgment that's available to the public, so that ship has sailed.


Title: High School kids taking large amounts of cash to "run" event[USA]

Question:
Not sure if this is the best place for this, but I thought I would ask.
My sister is a senior in high school and is participating in the annual "Nerf Wars" event. This is not sanctioned by the school and is run completely by students. Typically the team that does the best the year before runs it. It costs $50 a team and there are usually 50ish teams. The people who run it usually take $50 out of the pot so they play for free, which I have no issue with.
This year, however, the 5 kids running it are taking $2000, leaving a pot of $500 which they will likely win as they are bending rules, etc. Is there any legal action one can take? There were no contracts signed, documentation of money, etc. I really hate that these kids are getting away with making a quick $2000 by doing absolutely nothing.

*edit - in Ohio

Answer: not illigal, unethical yes, kind of smart, yes. Try talking to their parents maybe or the other teams who signed up. If they all start protesting you'll probably get the money back.


Title: Disability Discrimination Cost Me a Promotion

Question:
[deleted]
Topic:
Employment Law

Answer: What disability necessitates a reasonable accommodation to be able to make sarcastic comments?


Title: Girlfriend drivers for uber, was sexually assaulted by passenger.

Question: My girlfriend came home (sometime very recently, trying to be vague) and told me she was repeatedly sexually harassed and eventually aggressively grouped by a drunk uber passenger. There was another person(s) in the vehicle who helped defend her against the other passenger but may not agree to be a witness due to connections to the assailant. What do i do now? It was reported at some point to uber, but not the police and im working on convincing her to do that. Trying to prevent him getting away with this doesnt embolden him to do worse.

Answer:
 Your girlfriend should call the police to report the assault.Answer #2: Your girlfriend should report the sexual assault to the police. They will investigate and would probably talk to the witness.

As an aside, having a dashcam that records the interior of the car is a great safety feature for Uber drivers.


Title: Am I able to sue my father

Question: At the age of 10, I was put on anti-depressants because of school and home-life related issues, with my father constantly threatening to send me to a boot camp from 10-14 for the most minor things. He would be constantly drunk and would berate and belittle me over something so small it didn’t matter. Within these years, we would constantly go to a family friends house, he would get drunk and drive home. At the age of 13, my parents had divorced and he was mentally abusive, calling me a literal piece of shit and yelling at me for being a human basically. When I was 16, he beat me to the point of bruising and he has had CPS called on him 3 times with no effect. I currently have a job but he refuses to let me go to a friends or do anything at all (currently 17 years) and I’m afraid of what he’ll do to my brothers when I leave, especially my autistic brother. My mother is in a custody battle with the judge being pro-family. I would like to start my own case for personal injury, mental damages and property damage (stole my DS at 15 and has yet to return it). I live in Michigan and would like to know if I could even sue him for such things and my likely hood for winning such a case.

Answer:
 Your lawsuit will not be successful.

When you turn 18 you are free to leave.

Focus on doing well in school and have a plan for adulthood.


Title: If I were to travel to a remote location, and build an entirely self-sustaining off-grid home on personally-unowned land far away from any residences and people, could I live a peaceful life or would I have to worry about law enforcement taking it all away?

Answer:
 Define "personally unowned."

Because every square foot of land in the US is owned by a person/corporation/government entity currently, and you can't just build a structure on someone else's land without asking and expect that everyone will say "eh, let him go..."Answer #2: You'd have to worry about law enforcement (or the owner of the property) taking it all away.  You can't just build a house on someone else's land without their permission, and if you do, you'll generally lose it.  There really isn't any land that doesn't belong to somebody any more.

If you don't get caught, of course, you'll be fine.  That's always true, for any crime you might commit.Answer #3: NoAnswer #4: That sounds like the kind of land that you can buy for pretty damn cheap if you're willing to spend a bit of time looking at real estate listings online. Lots of people inherit desolate properties in far off places that are inconvenient to visit.


Title: [Alberta] Ex-husband did not uphold verbal agreement to remove me from our mortgage. 4 years later he finally went to the bank to assume the mortgage and they will not approve him because he can’t keep a steady job. How do I get my name off of the title and mortgage?

Question:
I need this wrapped up ASAP! We are legally divorced but I foolishly drew up the paperwork assuming he would uphold a verbal agreement as I did. (Removing him from a truck loan)
I don’t know where to even start. Can I sue him?
All I want is to not be liable for his mortgage, he has stayed in the home since we separated nearly 5 years ago.
Topic:
Canada

Answer:
 Does the divorce decree address the ownership of the home and your removal from the mortgage? If so, you and an attorney can likely go back to court to seek other remedies, such as a forced sale of the property.

If not, you now _definitely_ need an attorney. If you also have an ownership interest in the house, you may be able to force a sale anyways even if your ex-husband isn't cooperative, although it will cost a bit. If you gave up your interest in the house but remained liable for the mortgage, then the solutions are considerably more complex and uncertain.

The lender is not going to let you off the hook solely on the basis of a divorce and a verbal agreement. Ultimately, the loan must be paid - either out of someone's pocket, or out of the proceeds of a sale of the property. If your ex-husband _can't_ refinance because he can't afford the loan, then a sale is the only remaining option outside of bankruptcy.


Title: Fun Legal

Question:
 During a garage or yard sale, could I sell mugs for $5 each, with a carafe of hot Bailey's & Coffee next to it, marked "free"? (Hamilton County, Chattanooga, TN)
Question:[deleted]

Answer:
 You could!

But you'd be selling alcohol, so you'd need an appropriate license. "Free booze with this $5 mug" isn't going to fool anyone.


Title: Would it be possible to sue the owners of Ashley Madison for not taking measures to protect their data?

Question: Seems like they did a pretty crappy job securing the data which will have serious consequences for their members. You can say what you want about morals here but peoples email adresses and creditcard information is exposed in to the wild. And potential scammers are probably going to prey on them based on the fact that they actually were on that site. Would it be possible to sue if it turns out that their security was suboptimal based on the sensitivity on their data. If not what kind of responsibility do they have to secure peoples data? Having financial transactional data must be surrounded by some kind of rules protecting it?

Answer: Is it possible?  Of course.  Then again to do that you have to make a public complaint in a court case that you were on that site.  And I'd give dollars to donuts that the EULA everyone agreed to acknowledged that this was a real risk and that the company took no responsibility for it.


Title: (NY) Custodial parents wanting to voluntarily terminate child support

Question:
I have adopted my wife's son, his biological father consented to terminate his parental rights. in doing so, we agreed that any and all child support should be forgiven. Since the adoption has gone through, I would like to honor my side of this agreement.

&#x200B;

How would my wife and I go about terminating child support? (100 a week, often unpaid)

&#x200B;

How would we go about forgiving arrears? (20k or so)

Answer: Through whatever attorney you had handle this. You can't really terminate child support without a court order so I'm hoping your agreement was part of the entry for changing custody - otherwise you may have screwed him.


Title: Can you use someone else's name and add "inspired by" to sell a product

Question: If you use "Bracelets inspired by ABCD" without having any actual likeness in the product to the person, will it be considered legal? [Canada][ON]

Answer: That's a great way to get sued.Answer #2: That's actually less legal than not crediting them.


Title: Mother getting billed for fire department

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 > I've never heard of having to pay for a public service I also thought it was illegal to charge for emergencies services

Not at all.  In fact, it is quite common to charge for public services like ambulances and helicopter transports.

[This](http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20160613/unexpected-bills) says it is completely legal.


Title: (CA) Body shop paid me off to fix my car....insurance fraud?

Question:
I got into an accident, I was behind on payments on the car...a very expensive leased car might I add.

The tow truck driver recommended his friends place, I checked it out on Yelp they had better reviews than the BMW recommended place.

Speeding up he befriended me and asked me if I wanted to have dinner. Umm okay. So basically he wanted to make sure I kept my car there...and I figured since he's insurance approved it wouldn't be an issue. He paid me $2,000 to keep the car there, which I helped me out a lot at the time.

Anyway, the insurance company recommended I go to the BMW certified place but I didn't want to deal with moving it when he already had it apart blah blah I wasn't gonna keep the car. Eventually a PI calls me and just asks where he can recover the car, I give him the shops info and that was that.

WELL I figured they auctioned the car off since everyone got quiet. Nothing from body guy, insurance, PI, or BMW.

I messaged the body guy on FB in December, he read and never replied. Weird.

Two days ago, I get an attorney advertisement via email that BMW has sued me AND the body shop for the full NEW value of the car - $130,000.

So we're now at a total of nine MONTHS later since I dropped the car off, I find out  the car is STILL NOT FIXED. The car is NOT auctioned. The PI tells me the body guy refuses to cooperate and will not even provide anyone with a photo of the car to show it EXISTS or status a update. The repo man can't find it.

I call his shop and go ballistic on his secretary, when I make a point he's probably on drugs or something she laughs and seems like issues like this happen often.

In better news I go to the shop - ITS THERE! But its still not fixed. Most of the new parts are on but the radiator and other engine components appear to be missing.

The insurance guy said he "tried to get ahold of me" and sent me a letter (to an old address) to let me know they were having issues, however they had my email and phone on file and I got no missed calls or anything. I would've recognized his area code. He says on his end the body guy has been a nightmare too for them as well. Basically, BodyGuy wants to squeeze every penny he can out of the 21 grand my insurance ALREADY PAID HIM.

So needless to say, I've been going ballistic because BMW cannot auction the car in its current condition, and it should've been auctioned in OCTOBER.

Here is the text message exchange with the body guy:

9:33 AM from BodyGuy: Call me when you have a chance

10:35 AM from me: I don't have many words for you but this has become a huge issue i have a PI, Insurance Co, BMW's attorney, and BMW financial all telling me that you are causing issues and its been months so yeah not okay.

10:29 AM from BodyGuy: I don't like texting too long explain in texts. Call me so we can talk. Don't go assuming when you haven't talked to me. I'm the only one thats on your side. You didn't pay the payments  and you knew they were gonna repo it so don't be mad at me. Its not like you were waiting to drive it"

Me: that doesn't matter its been nine months and its not fixed and Insurance Co paid you 20 grand. BMW has also sued your shop.

I had no idea a repair would turn into something so awful.

Edit: Body shop also has zero documents with my signature and NO signed contract, the only authorization was from me to the insurance company.

TLDR - Did I also commit insurance fraud for accepting money to let him do the repair my car?

Answer:
 >TLDR - Did I also commit insurance fraud for accepting money to let him keep my car?

What about the drugs he gave you that you just edited out of this sentence?


Title: How would people take advantage of altering the abbreviated year "20"

Question:
I keep seeing posts on Facebook posts warning people not to abbreviate the current year on legal documents, because someone could alter the year from "20" to "2018" "2017" etc.

That makes sense, and I never abbreviate the year anyway so I don't feel like I'm at risk. But for academic purposes I can't figure out any worst-case scenario examples of how someone could be taken advantage of.

Answer:
 I'm putting this one in the same bucket as "if you're in trouble at an ATM, type your PIN code in backward and it calls the police," meaning it's some kind of urban myth with not much real-world relevance or evidence to back it up.  I suppose people with palindrome PIN codes were just shit out of luck.

It was just as easy last year to change dates to be in the 1900s, and we didn't really hear much about that being a gigantic problem.  Lots of people could have altered contracts to have already ended and to exit them prematurely to their benefit, for example -- but they didn't, at least not in numbers that would be significant or concerning.Answer #2: somehow now its a big problem for everyone and it wasn't last year. last year people could change 19 to 1998 or even 1901.


Title: CA - Veterinarian malpractice advice. Help Appreciated.

Question:
I live in San Diego and my dog passed away under the care of a licensed veterinarian. Details below:

My dog who was 3 years old, was healthy and had underwent anesthesia for neutering procedure with no issues. I took him to a new Vet. in the area I moved to. She recommended his teeth be cleaned. He underwent standard first Vet. visit, then had pre blood work done, and was deemed healthy by vet to undergo routine cleaning. I dropped both my dogs off, and was called and told my dog was not doing "well". He passed away under their care and I was told he may have had bad reaction to anesthesia and went into cardiac arrest.

I have filed a complaint with CA licensing board. Told case has not been reviewed yet. I just realized there is a Vet. Association, waiting to find out where to file complaint.

I am wondering if their is a possible case for a lawyer who handles Vet. Malpractice (I know this is rare). I want the Vet. to be held responsible and face repercussions for my dogs death. Thanks for any and all help.

Happy to provide more details if it helps.

Answer: Dog Law specialist here. Unfortunately, these things happen; even to humans. It's natural to want to blame someone, but you're not going to get very far. At worst, the vet would owe you the cost of a replacement dog.


Title: Neighbor won't stop bringing "presents"

Question:
Couple months ago the neighbor accused my brother of shooting up her backyard with a bb gun. He doesn't own a bb gun, he denied it, she said "Well I guess I have to take your word for it", and left. Couple weeks later she calls the cops and says he shot up her backyard with a bb gun. Cops come and talk to us, tell us she's called them about other neighbors about different things in the past and they think she's batty and to just ignore her.

A few weeks ago, apparently unsatisfied with the police response to her calls, she started leaving presents on the front porch. First time it was an opened packet of BBs. My parents took that packet to the cops worried that this was some kind of threat or even an attempt to frame him or something. They said to drop it in a dumpster somewhere and get a security camera. They did the former but dysfunctional as they are haven't been able to agree on and install a security camera.

Second time I don't remember what it was but she had written his name on it. Now we're really starting to get worried, this crazy old lady with a grudge knows where he lives and keeps visiting.

This morning she came by again and he answered the door and she delivered it to him personally.

My parents are getting freaked out but don't know what to do.

My idea is "Get the cops to tell her to stay away from us, if she doesn't then we have grounds for legal action such as a restraining order", but I don't know if that's true or the best solution.

What should we do? We're in Michigan.
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer:
 You should get a security camera.Answer #2: >This morning she came by again and he answered the door and she delivered it to him personally.

 Delivered what?

 Have you told her to stop?
 Write a letter telling her to stop. Send it certified mail.Answer #3: You should get a camera set up asap even it it points out a window or something you can get a WiFi camera for under a hundred bucks or go higher end and get one of those doorbell camera things for around $200 or so, well worth it for evidence gathering and then enough to get her trespassed and then maybe she'll leave your ass alone.  If you want a whole system there's tons of DVR camera serious in the 100-500 range on Amazon. But then you need to run wires. Answer #4: Put up no trespassing signs and cameras. She comes into your property again she's committing a crime.


Title: False allegations leads CPS to test me, false positive from my medications..

Question:
I previously had involvement with CPS but not for a while. The father and I are on speaking terms and share our child. Recently the same case worker I had dealt with before showed up with an anonymous claim of abuse, kid had bruises, etc and on top of that I am using drugs again.

But I am not. I am prescribed Seroquel and it is known to cause a false positive for methadone. Yup, I tested positive for methadone then on the little cup test in my home. The social worker said something about "oh my hand touched it and that's weird" I don't even know what that reading means look it up. I am now realizing that these people are not my friends and just want to mess up my life and steal my child..right?

The worker wants me to take another test and I started reading like that they need a court order. I want to prove that I am not using methadone but I want to go about this the right way. I'm on a very high dose of Seroquel so I think that makes it even more possible I just test bad again. Should I be going to my doctors and talking about my meds? There are other meds I am prescribed but not taking like antidepressants because I really get along fine, go to work and stuff without them usually.

I'm going to try to talk to a lawyer here today sometime but money is tight. On top of all this [removed an irrelevant bit]... well that is another story I will deal with afterwards and seems like securities fraud or an ethics violation. Oh and I was raped recently, fun stuff.

I'm still on probation from a DUI, so can the case worker talk to them and they come force me to take their test? I'm not like totally trying to avoid the test but maybe I should stop taking seroquel and it gets out of my system.. but then do I test as I am not taking my meds and then that looks bad too?

This is in state no longer relevant IMO

Answer:
 > I am now realizing that these people are not my friends and just want to mess up my life and steal my child..right?

They're not your friends, no; but they're also not trying to 'steal your child'.  You've had multiple CPS cases and DUIs; they have good reason to believe that your child is in danger.

I'm not sure what the issue is here.  You got a positive test, but you say you have a good reason for the positive test.  Go get documentation of that reason, provide it to CPS, see where they go from there.  Answer #2: >maybe I should stop taking seroquel and it gets out of my system

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES ABRUPTLY STOP TAKING YOUR MEDICATIONS!! If you are that concerned about false positives, speak with your doctor about moving you to a different medication. Abruptly stopping Seroquel can cause huge mood swings, suicidal thoughts, and could put your child and yourself in danger.


Title: My school (private and religious) requires an abstinence pledge. Is this legal?

Question:
     My school (in Ohio) requires that students take one Bible class per semester. During the senior year, they usually have everyone take a class called Biblical Relationships. In that class, one of the assignments is to sign an abstinence pledge. It is for a grade.
     I'm going to be a senior next year and I just want to know whether or not this is legal. I know that it's legal to teach abstinence and to have Bible classes in religious schools. In religious schools, it's legal to test on the knowledge of the religion being taught. But, I am not aware if it is legal to grade someone on a personal commitment.

Answer:
 It’s legal for them to make you sign it, but you’re not legally required to follow it Answer #2: It's perfectly legal, but obviously they can't enforce it. Your body is your body.

HOWEVER. They can absolutely kick you out of school for violating it (or being a "disruption to the learning environment" or whatever language they want).

Expulsion is a very bad look, so if you are interested in attending college (especially selective schools), you should just, ya know... be smart. Don't have sex or fool around on school property OR where people may take photos/videos of you and send them to administrators or staff.Answer #3: Yes, it's legal.  Private schools can get away with a lot of things.Answer #4:  how bad could a failing grade in _Biblical Relationships_ be?Answer #5: Short answer: yes

Nonlegal, longer life advice:  Use your brain-noodle.  While you are enrolled at this school, do not take any actions which could ever be discovered by the school and used against you.  Sex is great, but its not "get-expelled-before-I-graduate" great.  Never, ever send photos or allow photos to be taken, and never put yourself into a situation where you might not be in absolute control over your decision making or body (such as getting wasted at a party).  Also, don't brag or gossip about it. Answer #6: Since it is a private religious school, generally yes, they can require that kids who attend follow religious guidelines.


Title: Need advice relating to issues over a sports ticket.

Question:
It's a pretty long story so bear with me.

Back in October I purchased two tickets for the NBA Global games in London for the 15th of January. These were bought through O2 Priority which used axs.com to supply and send the tickets. A few weeks later those tickets arrived. As excited as you'd expect my brother (whos christmas present it was for) posted a picture on Instagram of the tickets, like you see plenty of people doing.

So fast forward to a few days ago when I turn up at the O2 to gain entry. I pass them the ticket to get in and they told me it was an invalid ticket, and that the same barcode was sold on stubhub.co.uk an hour before the game, and because that person was already inside the venue I was basically denied access. I phoned Stubhub that night and they confirmed to me that it was indeed sold through them by someone who must've seen my brothers photo and entered the barcode on there. (The police have told me this is identity theft and fraud) They told me they would phone the day after with and update, which they didn't.

Today, I phoned up axs.com to have them confirm that I was denied access and to email me the full information about the ticket details. They informed me that stubhub should have records about who sold it on there and for me to request a identity theft report with the Police.

So this is where I get passed around customer support. Phoned stubhub earlier and they requested information on who sold my ticket on their site, but obviously how would I even have that? I gave them the seat number expecting them to find how more. This is where it got worse, they basically told me that they wouldn't accept responsibility. Even though a fraudulent ticket was sold through their website and wouldn't supply me with any more information.

The latest update now that is the Police have told me to contact the Citizens Advice Bureau on Monday and inform them of the situation.

So I'm just wondering if there was a second opinion on here relating to this which could help in anyway? Or am I basically being passed around and can expect to not get anywhere.

Thanks in advance

Answer:
 >and for me to request a identity theft report with the Police.

Well did you do that? Answer #2: Sharing that information with you would have privacy implications for the seller and buyer so they shouldn't be giving you that information without a court order. They don't know whether you are the legitimate buyer. Why would they want to investigate an issue that's between their customer and a third party (you)? And why would they be responsible if they didn't do the selling?

You'll have to let the police handle this, but don't expect too much. Best solution is to be more careful with what you post online in the future (and clean up any relevant info you may have posted in the past).


Title: Neighbor has been dumping buckets of solid human waste next to the property line. For years.

Question:
For context, I live just outside of city limits in a very large city in Alaska. I have an outhouse, which is common here.
I bought the property three years ago and only discovered what I have dubbed the sh*t lagoon last fall due to my new puppy escaping and frolicking in it (Yes I died inside).
Details on the shit lagoon. It is large. There are old buckets surrounding it he never got around to tipping. It is dotted with bits of toilet paper. It might be on my property line / on my property. I haven't gone back to check due to being terrified and disgusted. I will be doing that this weekend.
I have been in contact with my state and local borough government. The state acknowledges that this is a public health risk and illegal, and also has told me that they lack the resources to enforce their own laws.
The borough has informed me that they cannot do much about private property if it concerns less than 1000 square feet of land. They advised me to speak to the property owner directly or contact a lwayer.
The property owner is over the age of 60 and a disabled veteran (I know this because of tax breaks he gets on his land, that information is on a public database). He has taken recently to riding his ATV up and down the sidewalk while wearing an old WWII army helmet and idling for periods of time in front of my house and staring at me / My house. I am certain he is not of sound mind and I will not be speaking to him directly.
There is a creek that runs through both of our properties. This sh*t lagoon is almost certainly poisoning the water. I am unfortunately downstream.
The neighbor has around 2 dozen junk cars in his yard. I just sent another email to the borough code enforcer informing them of the cars and pleading them to enforce their laws and help me. We'll see what they say. This weekend I'm going to have two friends help me stake out the property lines even though I'm scared.
I am not rich. I can barely afford the mortgage and property tax. It would take me a while to build a fence, especially one that would keep my dog out of the shit lagoon.
If the borough can't help me, I guess my only option is to try and scrape together the money for a lawyer.
If the state and borough refuse to help, I am seriously considering contacting the local newspaper or publishing the email chain online in order to shame the government into action. Is this a terrible idea? This is intolerable. This afternoon he dumped another bucket (I can hear the splashing from my porch) and the smell is so bad I can't be outside without dry heaving.
Help

Answer:
 (1) Take pictures.

(2) Go back to the borough enforcement office and ask again. With pictures. If they say they are unwilling to help, get the name of the individual who turns you down.

(3) Find out the name of your elected representative in borough government. Take the pictures to her. Ask what she can do to get the office to enforce health and safety laws.Answer #2: There are other angles here:

1. This sounds like it might be in the realm of adult protective services. This guy sounds off his rocker and clearly doesn't have adequate plumbing.
2. There will be some state or federal agency that will care very much about poop getting into that creek's water.Answer #3: You might contact [Alaska's Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Water ](http://dec.alaska.gov/contact#water)and see what they have to say about someone illegally dumping human waste into the watershed.

Also, talk to the people downstream. One angry constituent can be ignored. A mob of them who don't want someone's shit in their creek is harder to ignore.Answer #4: Don't bother with a fence, he'd probably just dump over onto your side of it.


Title: (TX) My wife is 8+ months pregnant and my boss is threatening to cut my pay

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Do you have a contract that specifies your method of payment?  If not, your boss is free to alter that as he sees fit and in line with state law.

If you want to make a discrimination claim, you have to prove it.  Answer #2: > my boss knows there is a chance my productivity will wane/decrease once the baby arrives

It sounds like he's giving you a (harsh) incentive to make sure it doesn't. What sort of written contract do you have, if any?Answer #3: So long as you make at least minimum wage for your jurisdiction and are told in advance, there is not illegal about it. The exception to this is if you have a contract or are part of a union in which pay is defined.


Title: [US] I need to use roughly 15 seconds of three different copyrighted songs in a youtube video I'm making.

Question:
So long story short, I need to use 15 seconds of songs by Death Grips, 15 seconds from songs by The Microphones, and 15 seconds of songs by My Blooddy Valentine.

Due to the nature of the video, there is no way around this. I can't simply substitute these songs with royalty-free songs by different artists.

What's the quickest way to do this legally? Thanks for any and all help!

I'm based in Pennsylvania in the US.
Topic:
Intellectual Property

Answer: To do it legally, license the music from the publisher.


Title: I got too drunk yesterday...i think I may have left my bar tab UNPAID...how fucked am I?

Question:
California

I was at the bar yesterday doing some day drinking.  I got too drunk, and took an uber home.  However when I checked my credit card statement online, I did not see a charge from the bar pending, and I am afraid I may have not paid the bar tab.

Am I fucked?  Should I just call the restaurant/bar and figure it out?

Answer:
 Did you leave your card when you opened the tab? They probably ran it at the end of the night and it hasn't posted. If you didn't and have your card you can call them and pay your tab. You're not the first and you aren't the last.Answer #2: Short answer: call them, be polite and see how it goes.

Long answer: depends on their intent, sadly, they *do* have legal grounds to sue you.  However two things work in your favour: a restaurant probably won't feel too much for suing a client over something so minor, doing so will cost them reputation, a lot of hassle for minimal gains AND a paying client (though do keep in mind I'm European and we 'round here do have a different way to go about such things, so I may be mistaken). Things like this happen, if this goes to court you will not get too harsh a punishment, and that is *if* you somehow get any, since you have and show every intent of paying up.

tl;dr don't worry too much :) Just make sure to call them (or, if you're able, go there, so you can pay up immediately) first thing in the morning and explain the situation, then pay up and it should be fine!


Title: (NYC) Can my company give me two weeks without having expressed any unhappiness with my performance?

Question:
I've been working hourly at a bakery company (small business but internationally recognized with a small time celebrity chef owning the company) for over a year and half having moved between several departments. After my initial position I was promoted into a separate department where I was harassed and verbally abused by a manager. I expressed my unhappiness to HR several times (several emails were never responded to). I had multiple meetings with a person in HR never about the harassment but more about my job performance (I was struggling because of the harassment and lack of support). These meetings were mainly what can we do to help you, how can the department be better, and once they expressed concern about my tone in emails. It was overall a weird and terrible experience.

 I went to HR in Nov and asked to give my two weeks and they offered me a position somewhere else. I've been working there since Dec and have only been written up twice for small cash handling issues that are very typical for the job. The store that I'm in is generally a train wreck and in a sense they've been cleaning house management wise. I've been sorta just working shifts and not involving myself in what's been happening. The new management team that they brought in only ever told me that I was doing well. I was called into a meeting today where HR told me that they were giving me two weeks and after that I was no longer in a job. I was SHOCKED and cried a lot and didn't really understand what was happening.

 Do they have a right to do this? Typically people get written up and after a certain amount of those write ups there is a meeting where they are given an action plan. That never happened to me and instead was only given verbal and written praise. I've since been in contact with HR asking for documentation of their unhappinesss with my performance and they've only cited the meetings back in oct/nov when I was in the other department. All of the managers that harassed me (it wasn't sexual) are still working there. Can I post screen shots of their emails to me about this? I'm having a follow up meeting on Friday, can I do anything about this? I'm honestly dumbfounded.

Answer: Yes, they can fire you without needing to express dissatisfaction with your performance, although I see at least three times where they did. They did not even need to offer you two weeks. File for unemployment.Answer #2: if you don't have an employment contract, they can do whatever they want. they can have you escorted off the property on a moment's notice.  they don't have to give you warnings or second chances. all that stuff exists in private businesses because it's courteous and useful, not cuz it's legally req'd.  the 2 weeks is actually a very generous concession.


Title: Can i make a report for my account in my parente name?

Question:
Missouri.

Hello. I recently sold a pair of shoes for $100, and the people sent me a check for them and said theyd pick them up.

They sent a check for $1700 MORE than the shoe price, and said theyd pick up the extra money they sent "by accident" when they got the shoes.

They now are saying to send the money VIA Zelle. The thing is, the check bounced, i called my bank and minE called theirs. So i am 100% certain this is a money laundering (?) scam.

I would like to make a report on them, As i have their number, the check still, and what they have said is their name. But my parent keeps telling me i cannot make a report on it because my bank account is in my parents name (i am 20 however). will that make a difference? can i make the report without problems, or does my parent have to do so?

Answer:
 You can report it. It's not going to do much as this is a SUPER common scam.

Also, you're over 18, get your own bank account.


Title: [Nevada] Removal of future trustee from a family trust

Question:
My parents created a family trust to protect the house for my two youngest siblings, who are handicapped, making the oldest siblings trustees (one after the other in order of age, in case of death).

The problem is, the sister who is next in line to be trustee has made threats on how she would care for the trust and our handicapped sisters if and when she becomes trustee, and we believe her threats. As the current trustee, I have the power to manage the trust in the best interest of my sisters as I see fit. This includes selling the property, but the revenue from such a sale would have to be reinvested into another property that would provide shelter for my sisters. The terms of the trust do not allow me to completely dissolve the trust while my two youngest sisters are alive.

The question is, how do we remove the sister making these threats as a potential trustee on the trust fund? Both of my parents, the creators of the trust, have passed away, so they can not make any changes to the trust.

Answer: This would require the advice of an attorney who reviews the particular language of the trust.  It would be a good idea to have an attorney anyway to assist you with the administration of the trust.


Title: (Oklahoma) Former abuser is trying to expunge his record

Question:
**TL;DR: I was abused 6 years ago, filed charges and VPO. Psychology of abuse caused me to drop the ball, traumatic brain injury took center stage. Abuser arrested this year for said VPO violation, has late father's money and fancy lawyer. Live in state where court date notification is laughable, charges were dismissed due to failure to locate me. Abuser is attempting to expunge, want to ensure that doesn't happen and record stands.**

Six years ago I was in an verbally/mentally abusive relationship with someone who was clinically diagnosed as a narcissist after a mock suicide attempt meant to control me toward the end of it. (He spent two weeks in a psych ward because of it.) He drank one night while taking the prescribed antipsychotics he'd been given, and became physically abusive. I went to the police, pressed charges, and filed a VPO. The cops took over a 100 photos of my injuries, and I was out of work for some time, as they covered my arms/neck from him attempting to strangle me. Immediately after being served, he violated that VPO by contacting me through a third party and stalking my place of employment. I contacted the police, and was interviewed by the officer. They filed VPO violation charges. This is where I state that the officer treated me as though it was a joke to him for me to press charges for violation, as did many of my coworkers and my closest friend. (Note that I was still sporting the bruises that wouldn't fade fast enough.) THe abuser was arrested for the domestic abuse/A&B charges, but his (rich) father bonded him out the next day.

I went to the first court appearance for the VPO, which was extended. By the time the second appearance arrived, I had been alienated at work, and my abuser had made repeated attempts at contact. Psychology of abuse and all that (I know, trust me, I fucking know..) led to me reconciling with him after having been worn down. I was so worn down, and he was so good at guilt and convinced me that he would be homeless and it was my fault, and stupidly, it worked. (Again, I know-please keep all advice regarding that aspect to yourself, I beg of you.)

He became violent within three months of moving him back in. Before he could touch me, I snapped and told him to gtfo. I started throwing his clothes out. I was done. He left, continued to call/text me with his pity bullshit and mindgames. He harassed me at work. Again, the situation with the officer before (coupled with my shame about letting him drag me back in and fear that I could be charged for VPO violation) led to me just...doing my best to move on.

He had been having an online relationship with someone in another state since just before the night of violence. A month after I kicked him out, he moved to live with her. I thought I was safe, and things were over, best to move on. Then I was in an automobile accident two months after that. I sustained a mild traumatic brain injury as a result. I lost my job, then my apartment-as well as my short-term memory, ability to feed myself/drink water without choking, and many other things I have fought to overcome. I'm in a better place now, but I was homeless for some time, while literally brain-damaged. I've regained everything but my short-term memory and speech issues. (Note: Long-term memory was not in any way affected. I remember the details of the violent night very clearly, and just hearing his name causes me to shake.) The brain injury/fighting to regain my ability to care for myself and dealing with homelessness/hunger caused the court case/dates for Domestic Assault/Battery to be forgotten, as well as those for the VPO violation. The dates came/went. The DV/A&B case was noted with "DUE TO FAILURE OF STATE'S WITNESS TO APPEAR MATTER IS D/S W/O PREJ TO REFILING".

Here's the thing..he was finally arrested this year for the VPO violation. His father passed last year, leaving all of the money to him. He hired a high-profile/high-cost attorney. The charges were dismissed because they could not locate me. I did not find any of this out until a friend was helping me with finding a job and conducted a search of my name to ensure that there was nothing to worry about if companies searched for me. In my state, the notification they give is in a small section of a Sunday paper that no one reads anymore. Despite having my address on record via my drivers license, I received no contact about this.

I found out about this before the motion to dismiss. I made several attempts to contact the judge, but never received a callback. I contacted many lawyers, but each one of them were the type to represent the accused rather than the victim. I contacted a domestic violence center for any info/referral they could give me, which resulted in a wild goose chase that led to nowhere. I didn't know what to do, but I tried, I honestly did. I've beaten myself up about all of it for so long, feeling regret for not following through/being able to follow through with the charges. I've been terrified that he would do this to someone else, because I dropped the ball. I've had several panic attacks while trying to do the right thing, because I am still terrified of this man and the way that he mind-fucked me so completely that I still cannot date anyone, and am currently in therapy, still sorting out what he did to me. Still, I tried to get into contact with whoever could help me do what might need to be done, and it led nowhere. I had no support from friends, and have been dealing with it all on my own.

So, the charges were dismissed. Now he is using his father's money and his fancy attorney to try to expunge the records. I'm not trying to ruin his life (despite him ruining mine) but I do want to know: is there any way that I can keep this from happening? It is my belief that though he got away with it all, the record should stand. If he is violent again (for instance, with his new wife, who he married at the courthouse THE SAME DAY that the charges were dismissed) I want that woman to be able to show that it was not a one-time thing and he has a history of violence. The charges have come and gone, and he's square due to the statute of limitations, but he should not be able to sweep these events under the rug. He is a very sick person, who did a very sick thing.

I read the expungement rules for OK, but they don't make much sense to my non-legal (and still damaged) brain. If I were to write a victims impact statement to the judge, would that help? Who should I contact? Will they attempt to use my brain injury/resulting homelessness against me? Would my poverty level and inability to hire a lawyer to fight his high-price lawyer come into play?

I know I failed before. I know I dropped the ball. I'm not trying to ruin a life. I am just trying really hard to make sure the right thing is done to protect another in the future. And in a way, I will admit that I am finally trying to stand up for myself after all that happened. Any/all advice is appreciated, aside from judgment about what I should/shouldn't have done as a victim of abuse by a manipulative con artist. Thank you for reading, and I apologize for the length.

Answer:
 One thing you could try is to contact the prosecutor and ask that they reinstate the VPO violation charge.Answer #2: OP- I didn't read your entire narrative. I might suggest you TL;DR it at the bottom of your post.

However, having a criminal record expunged is generally between the person trying who wants the expungement and the government entity they're working with. If you want to write a letter to the judge considering your former SO's request, you're more than welcome to do so.


Title: My employer is violating the employer mandate by not offering a healthcare plan for our organization - do I have any options?

Question:
I work for an organization that employs over 120 people.  The employer mandate of the ACA states that employers with 50 or more full time employees must provide a healthcare plan,  or face huge penalties by the IRS.

The owner of the company told me directly that "I don't think I should have to get a company healthcare plan", so it's clear he just doesn't want to comply with the law.

Aside from the IRS penalty,  is there anyone else I can file a complaint with? I live in a fairly rural part of western Washington State,  and it will cost me $1,200 a month to cover me and my husband for basic medical and dental.  It's outrageously expensive.

Thanks in advance.

Answer: If your question is whether you have a remedy against your employer for not providing a health care plan, the answer is no. Yes, the employer may be subject to fines, but the ACA doesn't give you any recourse.


Title: [NC] Overzealous Professor

Question:
I submitted a project in the early evening. I woke up to several e-mails between the hours of 1:30 am - 3:30 am. The e-mails were very disjointed and some were sent halfway through a sentence (and sometimes WITH ALL CAPS). He made several accusations of misconduct and insisted upon a meeting saying he was going to have a form ready for me to sign. He also said I couldn't drop the class, which I had no intention of doing since I was doing well. I compiled a folder with proof the idea was my own and all correspondence. The idea was unique enough that there was no way it could be mistaken for anyone else's but my own.  The topic is something in which I have a personal interest and have tons of documentation for. I contacted my adviser and he referred me to the Ombudsman. They both said to meet with the professor.

When I met with the professor, he did not have a form ready as he said. He even made a personal comment about one aspect of the project which was really strange to me. He said that I used the wrong form to submit the project which raised a red flag for him. He was reluctant to view my folder; I absolutely insisted that we review everything.  He simply replied that I couldn't drop the class now that he started the process and his TAs were going to look for it online. Not only that, he said he contacted several other professors at other universities, other professors at my university and professors no longer at my university and said he sent my work to them. At no point did a form appear.

I sent an e-mail to the Ombudsman detailing the conversation, including that the professor had consulted others. He replied that it appeared to be resolved and to contact him with further questions. I met with my adviser later that week. He was very kind, stated that it was obvious this was some type of witch hunt, and said that if I wanted my department head would handle it. I thanked him and said that I would like to take more action but wanted to carefully think about how I wanted to proceed since the most imminent threat appeared to be somewhat resolved. I am also hesitant because most everything is set up to protect the university and not the student. I do not want to make myself a target for my remaining time here.

I began looking at my university's website and discovered FERPA. It says that Professors are not to share information regarding situations like this. I'm freaked out and furious he consulted other universities, since I am pursuing a smaller and highly selective field. Maybe I'm reading too much into the other professor, but that freaked me out, too.  I want to take action about this, but getting really scared that the University has no interest in protecting me. I read other stories where the Ombudsman is actually not impartial and is only interested in protecting the University's interests.

Overall, this is still extremely upsetting to me. I asked for help during a lab for a different class, and the professor began thumbing through my binder and asked me about certain notes in a slightly nasty manner, "What's this?" He had them open to the most recent notes. I replied, "My class notes. Do you not recognize them - those are from today." It made me really uncomfortable and wonder if he's spreading rumors about me.

I'm very much at a loss and do not know how to proceed. Thank you for your time.

Edited: for clarity.

Answer: FERPA does not cover a professor reading your notes.


Title: My 16 year old friend's parents are drug addicts and she's thinking about reporting them to the authorities.

Question:
I have a friend who's 16 years old and her parents cook and are addicted to crystal meth, among other substances. She lives in a very bad environment and her parents took her out of school because they can't afford it, and they don't really care enough to give her an education of any kind. She recently told me that she has pictures of their cooking equipment and she wants to report them to the police. What would your advice in this matter be?
Topic:
Juvenile and Youth Law

Answer:
 She should report them to CPS and/or the police. No child should be in a home where meth is being consumed or cooked. Answer #2: This is an extremely dangerous situation.

If at all possible, discuss it with your parents before doing anything else.

She should speak to a trusted adult first, like a counselor or principal at school, or a friend's parent who doesn't have a relationship to her own parents.

There is no guarantee how or when the authorities will respond, so she must keep herself safe (she is not safe living in a home where meth is cooked).

Her parents may not be stable, either, and could harm her if they learn she has reported them. Answer #3: Meth being cooked in home is usually fast track for the kids getting removed, at least in my jurisdiction (thank god).

I'd probably advise her to go with CPS *first* rather than the cops. CPS *should* contact law enforcement.  Answer #4: What can't they afford about school? Public school is free. Taking a child out of school and refusing to provide them an alternative education is usually enough of a reason for CPS to take a look at the situation. Add in the meth and she will be removed for sure. Does she have any responsible family in the area willing to take her in? If not she'll likely be placed in foster care. If she wants out, she can report it and she'll be out within hours. No child should have to endure this.


Title: [PA] Landlord is unable to access unit for repairs, resulting in us losing internet for at least four days. Are we able to deduct the price of this from our rent?

Question:
Summary: ISP wants to repair our broken internet connection, landlord cannot allow access for four days, and I want to withhold the cost of internet from these days from our rent. Is this legally permissible?

We currently rent a unit in Philadelphia and have Verizon FiOS. Our internet went down today and, after consulting customer support, the problem appears to be an issue with the main FiOS box servicing our complex. The Verizon technician needs to access this box to repair it.

For whatever reason, the complex decided to put the main box in another tenant's apartment. The tenants are out of contact today, and both my wife and I work every day this week until Saturday. We need to be present when the work is completed, so we will not have internet access until Saturday. Given that the arrangement of the main box has been an ongoing issue, I really don't want to pay for four+ days of internet that I won't be using and want to know whether it would be legally permissible to deduct this cost from my rent.

Answer:
 No, you can't do that.

Not having internet doesn't qualify as something that diminishes the habitability of your home, like no heat in the winter for example.

Even if you had an issue like that, you are required to give your landlord a "reasonable" amount of time to fix the issue. While that's left up to interpretation, four days to fix your internet is not unreasonable.


Title: Canada: Divorce question. Is it fraud?

Question:
Separated for two years, business related cell phones still in my name, Ex still uses our joint account. He has stopped paying the cell bill, affecting my credit. Is it legal for me to log into joint account and pay said bill? All of the money in this joint account is money he has deposited.
edit: Thank you for your answers :)

Answer:
 So, he has the cell phone, and the bill, and the money to pay it, but the account with AT-Sprinrizon is in your name?  And you have access to the bank account to pay the bill with his money for his usage?

I think you'd be better served just canceling the account, if you want to be passive aggressive about it.


Title: School “lost headphones”

Question:
My school allows students to use phones as well as other electronic devices at appropriate times. Someone started a rumor that I had possession of a vape on school grounds which prompted them to search my bag. I did not have possession of a vape but they took my $100 beats headphones. They did this out of code, and put themselves in a situation where they could do this. I was not using any electronics or headphones which makes seem suspicious to me. The policy is to get it back after 3 days and paying $20. I went to school payed the money, they went into the office and came out with nothing. They claim they lost my headphones but will not reimburse me.
I’m in Texas
Topic:
Searches and Seizures

Answer: Public or private school?Answer #2: In Texas it's called Justice Court instead of Small Claims court. Answer #3: Who exactly took the headphones? Was it a counselor, a teacher, administrator, resource officer? My public school worked the same way, but teachers weren’t allowed to have possession of them, if you were using a device at an “inappropriate” time they held it until the end of class and then delivered it to a counselor for pickup at the end of the day; that was protocol. Since they were technically doing what amounts to a drug search, depending on who actually searched your bag, it could have broken school policy.Answer #4: They took custody of your headphones, just like a jail takes custody of a prisoner's property. They should be responsible for returning that property in the same condition they received it.


Title: [CA] Will I get arrested for illegally watching the Mayweather/Pacquiao fight online?

Question:
I found a free stream on 4chan.org and started watching. About an hour in, the stream went down and a message went up saying my IP has been logged.

Am I going to et in trouble?

Answer: No.


Title: [PA] Can my employer fire me if I don't switch to independent contractor?

Question:
Hey, everyone. I want to thank you in advance for any insight you might provide and also apologize if this isn't the right forum for my post. I'm not entirely sure what my options are in this situation, so if this belongs elsewhere, please forgive me.

I work as a nail tech at a salon in Pennsylvania. My employer purchased this business and is not, herself, a cosmetologist or nail technician. I am her only employee. I work at the salon alone - I'm manager, nail tech, custodian, waxer, and in charge of all social media promotions, etc. I earn $10 an hour and work 41.25 hours a week, minimum (two 8.15 hour shifts, two 9.15 hour shifts, and one 6.15 hour shift).

Last night, at around 8pm, I received an email from my employer.

*Hi sarahdiedrich,*

*I will be changing the structure of [salon]. The only part of this change that will impact you is the switch from Employee to Independent Contractor. The bi-weekly flat rate will be $750. Each of the 10 days in the work period will be $75. Any future day off or salon closure would be deducted from this rate. As an independent contractor, you will not be responsible for employee taxes deductions. If you accept this change, please respond confirming that, and I will send you the appropriate forms.*

*Please let me know if you have any questions.*

*Thank you,*

*[employer]*

This bothers me for several reasons. Foremost, it's obviously a pay cut, which I cannot afford. In fact, in a few months, I was planning on asking for a pay increase.

I waited until this morning to reply to her email.

*[employer],*

*I have never worked as an independent contractor before and will need
some time to think about this before I come to any decision. This
would be a big pay cut for me and, frankly, I can't afford it.*

*I have some questions that I hope you'll answer so that I can make an
informed decision.*

*How exactly will my taxes be deducted? Do I pay them independently?
How will you be paying me? What IRS form will you be using? Will I
have any say in the hours I work as an independent contractor? Will
there be a written compensation agreement? Will I need to purchase
liability insurance? Will you still retain the responsibility of
furnishing supplies? What happens if I decide not to become an
independent contractor?*

*More questions are likely forthcoming, as this is new territory for me.*

*Thanks in advance for your understanding,*

*sarahdiedrich*

Is my boss liable to terminate my employment if I do not agree to become an independent contractor? Are there any other questions I need to ask of her that I may have missed? From what I understand, it seems like there is no benefit for me to make this switch, other than the fact that I might lose my job otherwise.

Other, possibly relevant?, information: My boss either has no idea how to run this business or has no interest in it. She planned our "grand opening" for my very first day (at the end of August 2016), completely unaware that we were missing vital supplies to perform any nail or waxing services. She has told me twice that she was planning on hiring another nail tech to work with me and both times it's fallen through. The business still bears a lot of the previous business' branding - I have offered several times to remove it, but I need tools to do so, and she won't provide them. The gel polishes we have in the salon are old and not suitable to use on clients - she refuses to replenish them with new stock. Same situation with several other tools and products throughout the salon. She has me running our social media pages and has said she would supply me with payment info to boost promotions, but never has. I've only ever seen my boss maybe 5 times since starting here. We don't even have a cash register (we did for the third and fourth weeks I was here - then it was "recalled" and we've never gotten another). I know this is a random bunch of information, but basically it's just to say that I don't know how much she really cares about this business. I can understand why she might "need" to cut my wages since we're not making any money... but I feel that business would pick up if she took any of my advice or put any effort into her business at all. Does this matter? I don't know lol.

I guess I'm jumping the gun before receiving her response, but I will update once she replies. Thanks for reading!

**UPDATE;** I still haven't heard back from her which means I also haven't let her know that I'm going to be declining this offer.

I'm also at work right now... any thoughts on whether or not I should currently be here? It's very typical for her not to answer my emails or texts for hours, sometimes days, so that's not really surprising to me, but if I'm effectively fired, was I wrong to come in today?
Topic:
Employment Law

Answer:
 You are being fired. Or asked to resign then become an IC. Which is probably not a proper classification given it doesn't sound like you're too independent. On mobile or I'd provide links.

Not legal advice but if it were me, I'd refuse. Then she can either fire me (and I'd collect unemployment while looking for a new job) or she'd back off and keep me as an employee. In which case I would still start looking for another job because this one will fail. Answer #2: If there isn't a corresponding change in your duties you cannot simply be "made" an independent contractor. There are specific criteria that are required for that status.

Additionally, ICs tend to make MORE money hourly, as they're filing a schedule C at tax time and responsible for things like quarterly tax payments (since it isn't being deducted from your pay).

Your employer is giving you a notice of termination and attempting to rehire you as a misclassified 1099 contractor. This does not end well for employers.

Decline, ask when your last day under your current pay schedule, and go job hunting.


Title: Hypothetically, is this insider trading?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 > The merger is not public information

There's your answer. Yes, this is insider trading. It's practically the dictionary definition of it.


Title: Not legal advice, but I don't know where to ask. I'm trying to remember a specific term.

Question:
Is there a term for notes and/or documentation which is recorded at the time of the event?

For example, if I'm keeping a diary on an untrustworthy neighbor and I'm writing down dates, times, activities observed...

What would that diary be called?  As in, judges love "blankedy-blank-blank" because it's more credible than a witness' recollection of events at a later point in time.

Answer: Contemporaneous record?


Title: Is it legal to use practically any piece of music in a YouTube video you make, so long as you attribute appropriate copyright and ownership?

Answer:
 https://www.lifewire.com/legally-add-copyrighted-music-youtube-1616424

No, YouTube is not exempt from copyright law. However, some IP holders have agreed to a system where they receive ad payments from videos with their music, instead of the video uploader. YouTube apparently also have a pre-approved selection of music you can use (note: I have not tried this myself).


Title: Age of consent(US/KY)

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 You need to make very, very sure she is honest about her age.  If she isn't, you would still be in a world of trouble.

Personally, if I had to ask how close I was to doing something illegal, I would skip it.


Title: Sheriffs chased a drunk on my property then gave me court summons for my grill?

Question:
Location is Tennessee not sure I want to put the city.

Tonight my wife and I cooked out for dinner. About 8pm there was a huge racket out back, I went out to see what was going and theres two sheriff deputies handcuffing a guy on my porch. They told me turn on the porch light and go back inside so I did. Couldn't see much from inside other than them arresting the guy and my grill was knocked over and another sheriffs car showed up.

Few minutes later one of them knocks at the door. Says they were chasing a D.U.I. who crashed a couple blocks away and took off running and they followed. He come running through my backyard into my grill tripping over it in the dark, where they caught him. He hands ME a ticket says it's illegal state wide to do any burning without a permit till next year and my grill is a violation. We had some words and I told him that's bullshit cause it's 80 degrees and half the neighborhood is grilling tonight, I was minding my own business when this drunk come running through. He just says your court date is on there and don't argue with me.

So now I have Misdemeanor Citation Summons To Appear under statute he wrote TCA 39.14.306. I looked that up and its nothing to do with grilling it bans having fires near forest or a woodlands. I'm in the middle of a neighborhood no woods for miles around. And I didn't have an open air fire I have a Weber grill with charcoal in it that the drunk knocked over on my concrete porch. Which didn't start a fire either way, there was no fire I was just using my grill to cook with.

This got me FUMING MAD!!! Theres no way that law is covering my grill am I right? What do I do, to fight this ticket?

Answer:
 IMO, call a local fire station and ask to speak with the chief... And simply ask, is my charcoal grill on my concrete porch a violation of any current burn bans that are in effect?

His answer will tell you if this is BS or not... From there, it is still probably a good idea to seek legal council.Answer #2: I just googled 39.14.306 and got nothing. Can you provide a link to this alleged violation you committed?Answer #3: I don't live in TN, but my neighbors and I used to have a fire pit and we'd sit there with the kids and BS around the fire. Someone called 911 on us and said we had a fire raging 6 feet up. Fire department came with lights and sirens. They asked us if we were cooking because cooking was not illegal. We grabbed the grill off the bbq put it on the logs and threw some hot dogs on that grill. Fire dept goes "yup, youre cooking food. Nothing illegal here." and left. They advised us that in the future we should cook in the back yard and not the front.

Call or visit your local fire house and ask them. Answer #4: If you do go to fight it, it might be wise to go to google maps, and find your house and print out the web page that shows you live no where near the wooded areas they are claiming


Title: My partner committed suicide two weeks ago. Her brother is now trying to take her things.

Question:
About two weeks ago my partner went missing. It took us a week to find her but tragically she had committed suicide. In the past week I've made all the arrangements for her memorial service. I've paid for everything and organized the community to gather for it and I think it was a beautiful service. She was only twenty one but the chapel was overflowing with people.

Only one member of her family is in the country (Australia) and the rest live in Brazil. They were all notified the day we found her. Not a single one has reached out to help with expenses or advice on the service. They didn't so much as order flowers or have something read. They've literally done nothing. The brother has done nothing but try to access her superannuation savings and has been working on transferring her car over to himself. We asked if he wanted to speak at the service with a eulogy or tribute but he only wanted to talk about when he would get her car.

He demanded to come to my house immediately following the service to start taking  her things, which he originally said was just sentimental stuff to send to his mother. That changed when I said today wasn't a good day for it (it was literally immediately after the service) and he straight away threatened to just have the police come and they'd let him take what he wanted because he is, unfortunately, her registered next of kin.

I know the police won't say what he can and can't have, and that they'll tell him it will need to go to civil court. I'm just wondering how strong my civil case would be? We weren't in a defacto relationship as we were only together for a year but we were living together and we shared the same appliances, and those are apparently what he wants. I don't want this man to come into my house and just rip away the life I was building with my partner. Would I be able to keep our things even if I can't prove they were ours?

Answer:
 Well... it sounds like you need to get your receipts in order, and a lawyer.

Don't wait on the lawyer or receipts stuff. Her belongings, the stuff that you are willing to give up, are different, but I would photograph everything as well.Answer #2: I don't know about AUS, but in the US you wouldn't have to let this person or the police into the house without a court order.  They would need to sue for the items they think you possess from the estate.  You in turn could sue the estate for half of the rent remaining on the lease.

Also in the US you don't have to prove anything is yours.  They need to prove they were hers.Answer #3: I'm sorry for your loss. /r/auslegal might be able to give more specific and pertinent advice. Answer #4: How long have you lived together?

After two years you’re in a de facto relationship. (Edited to have correct timeframe)

Either way he can’t take anything and I doubt the police would assist.


Title: [WA]Storage facility has locked deceased family member's belongings, will not grant access to heirs

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 they are correct, they need to release the property to the executor of the estate, not just random relatives.Answer #2: The only person who should be granted access is the estate's administrator/personal representative. That person will be appointed by the court, usually a family member would request to be appointed.

The storage guy is not an attorney and has no way to know which heirs have rights to which personal property.

Open probate and follow the Washington rules of intestate succession.