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Unfortunately, I became a member of this club several years ago. I now want to apply for Social Security widow’s benefits (not SSI disability), but I’m having trouble with a question about living arrangements. [more inside]
posted by elphaba at 10:43 AM - 0 answers

For the 2018 election, we were able to do GOTV canvassing over several months prior to Election Day instead of the more common push the weekend before the election. What made it feasible to do it so far in advance was that we gave potential voters a postcard to display in their homes as a reminder of their commitment to vote, then mailed a copy of the same postcard to them just before early voting started. We're planning much the same thing for the 2020 election, but are looking for new, inspirational text for the postcard. [more inside]
posted by DrGail at 3:44 PM - 13 answers

The background: the remaining parent died a year ago. The brother has been sitting on the estate for a year. The other sibling lives outside the US. How to find a good lawyer in Portland? Is this a probate situation?
posted by mecran01 at 9:20 PM - 7 answers

Have there been any German-American U.S. presidents other than Eisenhower and Trump?
posted by clawsoon at 4:34 AM - 2 answers

A bully who lives in my elderly mom's senior apartment building is taking credit for evicting another woman from the building. My mom is frightened that she'll be his next target, and I need to figure out what's going on. Difficulty level: I live about 2000 miles away in the USA. [more inside]
posted by Sauce Trough at 7:23 PM - 9 answers

My landlords have informed me that they are intending to sell the property. They live out of state so this has all been done over email/phone. I live in a cottage/granny flat/back unit, they are selling both the empty front unit and this one. They've told me they want to try to get the new owners to continue my lease. I've never dealt with any of this before and I have a ton of questions. [more inside]
posted by primalux at 12:08 PM - 10 answers

We are looking for examples of Solar access zoning/local laws in an urban/city setting. How is it defined. New construction blocking sun? Protection of rooftops of unobstructed sunlight?
posted by ebesan at 12:02 PM - 5 answers

I'm looking for a social media post I saw recently about an earlier large influx of asylum seekers to the US describing them being treated humanely and processed in a timely manner. [more inside]
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 7:28 AM - 2 answers

I plan to go to a Lights for Liberty protest tomorrow. Do you have any sign ideas?
posted by NotLost at 8:51 PM - 7 answers

In United States v. Paramount Pictures, Inc. the U.S. Supreme Court in 1948 ruled, basically, that movie studios could not also own movie theaters. Why isn't this being talked about in relation to streaming services? [more inside]
posted by Automocar at 9:47 AM - 8 answers

I'm working on my will using a simple form I found online which is acceptable to my state. It's pretty straightforward until the end. YANML. [more inside]
posted by bryon at 10:38 PM - 8 answers

I am going to be attending a "Lights for Liberty" vigil this Friday. My main concern/worry is that at least part of the vigil will be at the border, and thus the potential for CBP/ICE presence. I suppose the first question is, how worried should I be about that aspect? But additionally, what things should I do in preparation for the event?
posted by anonymous at 2:01 AM - 6 answers

My partner & I are aiming to buy a new car in the next few months. Currently, she's on her parents' insurance and "her" car is registered to her parents' address and in their name. When we go to price out insurance, we're asked if we've filed a claim in the last x months/years. [more inside]
posted by Tomorrowful at 10:31 AM - 5 answers

I live in a live/work loft in Toronto. Been here 14 years or so. In the past few years, other tenants have decided the area in front of my unit would be great for leaving their unwanted crap (furniture, beds, dishes, you name it) for other tenants to freely take. In addition, other tenants have started letting their cats wander the halls. I do not like either of these things... [more inside]
posted by dobbs at 8:33 PM - 22 answers

I had my bike parked on a bike rack at my local bar. When I went to go leave my front brake was bent so badly out of shape the wheel could not move without taking the brakes off. [more inside]
posted by Ferreous at 6:01 PM - 9 answers

This is me previous post Thinking about contacting Illinois DCFS Extended Family Support Services due to lack of cooperation/initiative of the birth mom in getting us needed documentation for preschool,etc. Is this a good idea or a bad idea? Looking for anyone with experience or insight. [more inside]
posted by hrhcc at 2:09 PM - 11 answers

This is a question about traumatic childbirth, involuntary surgery, and what legal rights a mother has when giving birth in a hospital. [more inside]
posted by a strong female character at 10:13 AM - 28 answers

Tomorrow i'm going to see the magistrate to try to get a protective order. I am in Virginia, and the police have already verbally issued an order and told her she'd be arrested if she contacted me. No physical violence has occurred. I do not need general legal or safety advice, but I've never petitioned a magistrate before for this and don't know what to expect. [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 8:58 PM - 4 answers

Is there an updated list of environmental activists currently (or have been) in prison in China?
posted by anonymous at 6:26 PM - 0 answers

My friend has no fixed residence, and either couchsurfs with friends or stays in AirBNB places in NYC. He is the happiest person I know, and all his possessions fit in his backpack. But - his bank found out that the address he gave them was a UPS mailbox and not an actual address, and terminated his account. This has introduced an element of sadness to his otherwise happy life. How can he get an account? [more inside]
posted by Vatnesine at 12:53 PM - 7 answers