Consider writing about:
The role of an executor; executors’ powers and obligations; what qualifies someone to be an executor; how to choose an executor; grounds, and procedure, for challenging an executor’s actions.
Personal Trending Topics
To help with your writing efforts, here’s what people are looking for in Personal Law online. Trending topics culled from JD Supra, search analytics, social media conversations, and other sources:
When Divorce and Holidays Collide: A Survival Guide
Consider writing about:
Divorce-related issues that are more likely to crop up over the holidays; guidance on how to preserve pre-existing custody and visitation arrangements and other terms, or on negotiating and communicating variations to those arrangements; what happens when parental agreements are violated; guidance on resolving disputes after the fact and ways to mend relationships or move forward in other respects.
What to Know About UK’s Digital Assets Bill
Consider writing about:
A digital assets bill introduced in the UK Parliament last month; what the measure could mean for the legal definition and treatment of digital assets; potential implications for individuals, industry, regulators, and others; current status of the bill.
Related information:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-bill-introduced-in-parliament-to-clarify-cryptos-legal-status
Tax Issues in the Wake of a Natural Disaster
Consider writing about:
Tax issues related to recent hurricanes or other natural disasters; deadline extensions announced by taxing authorities regarding filing and payments; applicable deductions pertaining to business or personal losses; how to deal with the loss of records regarding prior-period tax filings or other important financial records.
Related information:
When Are Tax Liabilities a Family Affair? [Ongoing]
Consider writing about:
The potential fallout for spouses or other relatives if a taxpayer deliberately or inadvertently underpays state or federal taxes; how to prevent or reduce collateral damage from relatives’ tax mishaps before or after the fact; the nature and limitations of innocent spouse relief; other forms of relief or resources for family members.
IRS Releases Guidance Regarding Student Loan Payments and Employer Matching Contributions
Consider writing about:
Recent guidance from the Internal Revenue Service regarding employer matching contributions involving payments on student loans; types of plans or arrangements to which this interim guidance applies; key eligibility and compliance points that employers or employees should take note of.
Related information:
Medical Debt Goes Under the Microscope
Consider writing about:
The issue of medical debt; how authorities on the state or federal level are addressing medical debt’s impact on individuals; any noteworthy legislation that has been passed on this front or that is in the pipeline for likely implementation; additional actions by regulators; implications for industry; any resources that individuals may be able to turn to for coping with medical debt.
Related information:
Leading Student Loan Servicer Reaches $120M Settlement With CFPB
Consider writing about:
A $120 million settlement reached between the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and student loan servicer Navient; reasons for the company being banned from servicing federal student loans; what the ban means for the financial services industry, students, and others; how individuals can learn whether they will be receiving funds from the settlement, and by what process; how affected individuals can bolster their credit ratings; other financial assistance options for students.
Related information:
What Happens When a Marital Split Crosses Borders? [Ongoing]
Consider writing about:
Divorce-related issues that involve cross-border complications. Among the possible points to explore: child custody rights, visitation rights, division of property, the impact of dual nationalities, foreign customs and foreign courts, or religious laws. Also consider whether to examine other common areas of contention, noteworthy legal trends, or best practices, whether for individuals or for their attorneys.
Sextortion Risks, Online Safety Tips, and Trends
Consider writing about:
The online threat of sextortion; what it typically consists of; challenges involved in prosecuting these types of crimes; what individuals (or the parents of affected minors) should know about sextortion ploys, and how they can anticipate them or mitigate damage after the fact; how to work with law enforcement in these types of cases; additional do’s and don’ts, involving such points as cybersecurity, identity theft, artificial intelligence, financial fraud, electronic recordkeeping and data preservation, etc.
Related information:
7th Circuit Sides With Equifax in Dispute Over Mortgage Application, Credit History
Consider writing about:
A federal appeals court’s ruling regarding a bank’s denial of a mortgage application; how the applicant’s credit history and related records became an issue in this case; what would-be real estate buyers should know about credit reports’ preparation and their recourse if they believe that the reports are inaccurate or misleading in some regard.
Voting Rights: What Everyone Should Know
Consider writing about:
How individuals can protect their rights as voters; what would-be voters should know about their eligibility to register and vote; where they should go for trustworthy information about the registration and voting process; related information regarding employee time off to vote; how states are addressing election integrity issues and voter rights as the U.S. presidential election season proceeds; what individuals should do if they encounter any of the following: lack of disability access at the polls, challenges at the polls to their right to vote, or direct or indirect threats, intimidation, or harassment by assorted individuals or organizations, whether at the polls, at ballot drop-off sites, or otherwise; additional issues involving any of the following: risk of identity theft, election-season phishing threats, imposter communications, and the spread of inadvertent misinformation or deliberate disinformation (in some cases, exacerbated by the evolution of artificial intelligence); any noteworthy rulings or lawsuits involving mail-in ballots, state voter ID laws, other election procedures, and individual rights.
Drug Measures on State Ballots This November: What to Watch For
Consider writing about:
Any noteworthy drug measures that are on state ballots this November; where voters may be poised to legalize or decriminalize medical or recreational drug use; types of drugs at issue; related legal trends across the United States.
What Kamala Harris Is Saying About Taxes
Consider writing about:
Tax proposals suggested by Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, including noteworthy statements regarding tax rates, tax credits, or additional matters. Take your pick of proposals involving corporations, parents, and others; how the proposals compare to current tax trends or to the GOP platform’s tax stance.
Related information:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kamala-harris-child-tax-credit-6000-dnc-what-to-know
CFPB Issues Warning About Contract-for-Deed Arrangements
Consider writing about:
A form of home seller financing known as contracts for deed; what these types of arrangements commonly consist of; how these types of contracts are regulated or overseen; related protections or risks; key takeaways from a recent release by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regarding contracts for deed; potential recourse for individuals who feel they have been wronged by the use of predatory mortgage products.
Related information:
How and When to Select a Guardian for a Child [Ongoing]
Consider writing about:
The process of designating a guardian in case a minor child is left without parents or other legally recognized adult caretakers. Among other issues, what are the recommended processes, tools, and resources for the following? — choosing and designating a guardian; initiating and recording relevant communications on the guardian’s selection and role; allocation of finances; and the subsequent protection of a minor heir’s finances and overall well-being. What are some potential pitfalls regarding the selection of a guardian and a guardian’s ability to perform expected obligations as desired?
Zelle and Banks in Hot Seat Over Scammers’ Frauds Against Consumers
Consider writing about:
New pressures being put on major banks and Zelle over scammers’ use of peer-to-peer payment apps to prey on unsuspecting targets; actions being considered or taken by legislators or regulators; how customer protections vary among various online payment platforms or apps; what individuals or institutions should know about their rights and risks when using these forms of payment.
Related information:
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jpmorgan-says-cfpb-may-levy-213535731.html
https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/02/business/zelle-fraud-scam-payment/index.html
How a Death Creates Opportunities for Identity Thieves
Consider writing about:
How risks of identity theft can arise after someone’s death; how scammers have been known to use identity theft to go after deceased individuals’ estates or other assets; recordkeeping, communications, digital asset access, or other matters that should be addressed before it’s too late; additional steps that caretakers, relatives, or other loved ones can take to help prevent or curtail the likelihood of identity theft; alternatively, how to minimize the financial impacts of this type of fraud after it has occurred.
How to Dismantle a Trust [Ongoing]
Consider writing about:
Steps required for unwinding an unneeded or unwanted trust; when it might make sense to take these actions; related IRS rules regarding the dismantling of trusts; types of trusts that are easily unwound (and those that are not); what can make a trust irrevocable; a broader look at the pros and cons of setting up trusts in the first place under estate tax exemption rules.
Tax-Related Pointers for Expats [Ongoing]
Consider writing about:
Tax tips for expats. What U.S. citizens or residents should know about common tax issues that may arise while they are living, working, or traveling outside the United States; related obligations or potential pitfalls pertaining to filing requirements or other tax matters; relevant best practices, or related pointers on how to simplify one’s tax reporting process or perhaps reduce the amount of tax owed.
What South Korea Ruling Means for Same-Sex Couples
Consider writing about:
A July 18 ruling by South Korea’s Supreme Court, and why it’s considered a landmark for gay rights; how efforts to secure legal rights and recognition for LGBTQ individuals in South Korea are progressing; how these trends compare to those in other parts of Asia; key challenges in securing or expanding LGBTQ rights in this part of the world.
Related information
https://time.com/7000013/south-korea-supreme-court-ruling-lgbtq-health-insurance-gay-couple
Common Law Marriages: Trends and Issues to Be Aware Of
Consider writing about:
Common law marriage; how common law marriages are defined and recognized; how state laws on this point may be evolving; how related laws and rights may differ according to gender; how common law marriages are dissolved; how to protect one’s interests before, during, or following a common law marriage.
What to Know About IRS Guidance on Early Withdrawals From Retirement Accounts
Consider writing about:
Recent guidance from the Internal Revenue Service regarding tax-deferred retirement accounts; what the guidance says about the ability to take early withdrawals without incurring penalties in the process; key points on eligibility, documentation, the qualification process, and more.
Related information:
Alleged Fraud by Escrow Company May Provide a Cautionary Tale on Surrogacy Arrangements
Consider writing about:
Alleged fraud by a Houston-based surrogacy escrow company; key allegations involving Surrogacy Escrow Account Management; how common these types of escrow companies are in the surrogacy field; how they are regulated and how they are supposed to operate; how to find and vet these types of companies; escrow company red flags that parties to a surrogacy arrangement should be alert to; contractual guidelines or other guardrails that may protect involved parties either before or after a problem arises; alternatives to using an escrow company for financial transactions in a surrogacy arrangement.
Related information:
What to Know About Living Trusts [Ongoing]
Consider writing about:
Living trusts; what needs or situations they are best suited to; what they typically consist of; how they are best created and maintained; how to protect (or alternatively, how to challenge) a living trust; common mistakes, misunderstandings, or oversights involving living trusts; alternatives to living trusts; and perhaps a look at what can happen if someone fails to create or properly execute a living trust.
What to Know About Real Estate Taxes and Trusts [Ongoing]
Consider writing about:
The use of trusts or other devices for deferring tax liabilities on real estate proceeds, whether from a sale, a family inheritance, or a gift from a non-relative. Possible points to explore: What are some common options and their pros and cons? How widely do the laws on these points vary from state to state? What are some common mistakes or oversights made by individuals on this front?
Adventure Travel: Look Before You Leap
Consider writing about:
Issues involving adventure travel (whether broadly speaking or in the region of your choice); personal risks, contractual terms, liability waivers, related insurance pointers; how to vet an adventure travel company before paying for a trip; what to do if an injury occurs and results in missed flights back home; resources or assistance in a moment of need; other pointers for domestic or international travelers who may get in over their heads; any lawsuits or rulings that illustrate how disputes over adventure travel can unfold.
How to Write a Will [Ongoing]
Consider writing about:
The steps involved in writing a final will and testament; what to include and not to include; how to select an executor; how to provide for minor children and other dependents; key financial considerations to address; how to talk to a spouse or other family members about your last wishes; pointers on living wills; how to turn a will into a legal document; templates and sample language. Alternatively, consider doing one of the following: present a list of do’s and dont’s for crafting a will; or use a legal dispute over a contested will (perhaps involving a celebrity) as a jumping-off point to illustrate pitfalls; or write about what can happen if someone does not have a will.
Real Estate, Inheritance, and Estate Plans: Issues to Consider
Consider writing about:
Real estate-related issues that should be addressed as part of an estate plan; discussions to have with heirs before it’s too late; transfer and inheritance options to consider; related pros and cons of the various options, as regards taxes, mortgage obligations, and more.
Stimulus Funds for Taxpayers: That Was Then, This Is Now
Consider writing about:
Inadvertent or deliberate misinformation that is circulating online and possibly elsewhere regarding supposed stimulus payments available this year to U.S. taxpayers; how taxpayers can spot flawed or intentionally false information or outright cases of fraud involving purported stimulus funds. Also: What to know about the status of prior stimulus payments and whether taxpayers still have the ability to claim those funds if they did not receive them or if they misplaced the information necessary to complete the claims process.
Related information:
https://www.fastcompany.com/91135473/stimulus-checks-not-coming-irs-california-2024-false-rumors