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:

Tenn. Legislators Envision Homicide Charges for Women Who Have Abortions 

Consider writing about:

Tennessee legislation that would set a death penalty for women who have abortions; under what circumstances such a sentence might arise; exceptions to the penalties described in the Tennessee measure; how novel this proposed amendment may be (whether strictly for Tennessee, or nationally or internationally); whether other jurisdictions are considering similar laws; current status of the Tennessee measure, and prospects for its passage; potential grounds for challenging such legislation; how legal disputes over abortion restrictions are unfolding nationally.

Related information:

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2026/02/20/tennessee-bill-death-penalty-women-abortion/88777975007

Tax-Related Scams to Watch Out For 

Consider writing about:

Your choice of familiar or newer tax-related scams, especially those that start popping up more frequently as we approach tax filing deadlines. Take your pick of scams targeting individual taxpayers or businesses in general, or tax professionals in particular. What should taxpayers or their tax advisers be on the lookout for this season, and how might tax-related scams be evolving with increased accessibility to AI systems and other tech tools? What guidance is the Internal Revenue Service or law enforcement offering on these threats, and what additional guidance would you add (whether in terms of precautions or ways to mitigate damage after the fact)?

Tackling the Formerly Taboo: Sex in Care Facilities [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

Sexual contact in assisted-care facilities; how perspectives on this topic (whether on the part of the care facilities themselves or family members or others) may be evolving; issues pertaining to consent, privacy, and security; need to distinguish between consensual vs. non-consensual contact; complications involving dementia or other mental impairments; related guardian rights and obligations; any noteworthy lawsuits involving these issues; information that caregivers should seek on this topic before choosing a care facility.

Tax-Related Pointers for Expats [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

Tax tips for expats. Common tax questions, misunderstandings, or blind spots that may arise for U.S. citizens when living or working outside the United States; related pointers involving tax benefits, credits, obligations, or potential pitfalls; relevant best practices, or related pointers on how to simplify one’s tax reporting process or perhaps minimize one’s tax bill after relocating to another country, whether full-time or part-time.

What to Know About Selecting a Guardian [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

The issue of designating a guardian in case a minor child is left without parents or other legally recognized adult caretakers. What should an individual do to help ensure that a child will not be left to fend for him- or herself in the event of an untimely death? 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, among other issues. What are the potential pitfalls involving the selection of a guardian and a guardian’s ability to fulfill an expected role?

Pointers on Setting Up a Family Foundation [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

What to keep in mind when trying to decide whether to establish a family foundation; typical objectives or scenarios for which a family foundation would be a suitable match; planning tips, best practices, applicable regulations, legal obligations, or potential pitfalls to be aware of, or a list of do’s and don’ts to consider; alternatives to a family foundation.

Insurance Issues Associated With Winter Storms 

Consider writing about:

Insurance issues for businesses or individuals affected by winter storms. Take your pick of related points, such as personal property losses, business interruptions, key policy provisions to review, guidance on documenting damage, filing a claim, and anticipating potential questions or objections from insurers. Additionally or alternatively: Consider offering tips on how businesses or individuals can improve their preparedness for the next severe weather event (and their ability to improve any insurance payout), whether in terms of property protection, recordkeeping, change in insurance coverage, or other steps.

What to Know About Lapsed or Terminated Life Insurance Policies 

Consider writing about:

Lapsed or terminated life insurance policies; allowable grounds, and required steps on the part of either insureds or insurers, for terminating a policy; any noteworthy legal disputes over terminated policies; when an option may exist for a former policyholder to reinstate a life insurance policy.

Primer on Executor Powers and Duties [Ongoing] 

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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.

Estate Planning and Special Needs [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

Estate planning issues to consider in the case of estate holders or potential beneficiaries who may have permanent – or intermittent but severe – conditions that would impair their financial decision-making; types of trusts that can be useful tools in these types of situations; what to know about the role of a trustee or other outside advisers; additional guidance on how to get ahead of a potentially dangerous series of missteps.

The Basics of Disinheritance: What to Know [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

The subject of disinheritance; common grounds for a disinheritance; how to arrange for a disinheritance; conversely, how someone can challenge a disinheritance; whether applicable laws on these points vary markedly from one jurisdiction to another; any noteworthy legal disputes that illustrate any of these issues.

Pointers on Creating an Advance Directive [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

Advance directives; different types of directives and circumstances or needs to which each is best suited; what an advance directive can and cannot do (and any common misconceptions that may exist regarding those points); templates or other resources for creating an advance directive; related discussions to have with family members or guardians before the need for an advance directive arises; differences in state laws regarding advance directives; additional guidance regarding an advance directive’s legality and implementation.

Medically Assisted Suicide: New Developments or Trends 

Consider writing about:

Legal trends involving medically assisted suicide (in the region of your choice, or globally); latest actions on this front; challenges in formulating and implementing legal standards for these types of procedures; how these types of rights have evolved over the years; potential ethical concerns; any practical safeguards that individuals, their relatives, or caretakers should keep in mind.

Related information:

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/new-york-governor-reached-deal-legalize-medically-assisted-128486336

Issues to Consider When Divorce and Bankruptcy Collide 

Consider writing about:

Bankruptcy within the context of a troubled marriage; bankruptcy options and alternatives to consider; timing issues for a bankruptcy vs. a divorce; key issues involving disclosure of assets, community property, liability risks, mediation, dispute resolution, etc.; practical lessons from any noteworthy real-life legal disputes involving divorce and a bankruptcy; what else to know and plan for when considering whether to file for bankruptcy.

Here’s Looking at You: Facial Recognition Technology Trends 

Consider writing about:

The use of facial recognition technology, whether by private businesses, government agencies, individuals, or others; how privacy concerns involving this technology are being addressed; examples of laws that may restrict or ban the use of facial recognition systems, and in what settings or circumstances those restrictions may apply; any legal obligation to inform people of the presence of facial recognition technology; whether opt-out features may apply in these situations; whether private owners or operators of facial recognition systems may be compelled to produce data from those systems to law enforcement or in connection with a court case;

Know the Nuts and Bolts of Private Placement Life Insurance 

Consider writing about:

Private placement life insurance; what it consists of; how it compares to other forms of life insurance; whom private placement life insurance is best suited for; potential advantages and disadvantages for individuals considering this form of insurance.

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.

Practical Guidance on Doing Volunteer Work 

Consider writing about:

Issues for people interested in doing volunteer work, whether during the holidays or otherwise; how to vet organizations for which one might be interested in volunteering; insurance issues, labor laws, or potential liability issues that individuals might need to be aware of; protection against harassment; what to do if encountering potentially unsafe or illegal activities in connection with a volunteer assignment; additional concerns involving minors’ safety and rights, and what their parents or guardians should be paying attention to, either before or during a volunteer commitment; what to know about organizations’ use of waivers in conjunction with volunteer workers; general obligations and liability risks on the part of a volunteer organization.

Do Zombie Mortgage Loans Linger Among Us? 

Consider writing about:

So-called “zombie” mortgage loans; what they consist of; how widespread they are; situations apt to open the door to zombie loans; state or federal laws that regulate the debt collection process in these types of cases; related consumer rights or protections; any noteworthy litigation involving zombie mortgages.

Related information:

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2025-zombie-home-mortgage-debt-collection-investigation

How Cybercriminals Target Real Estate Transactions 

Consider writing about:

Wire transfer fraud and other forms of cybercrime that target real estate transactions; types of scams and cyberattack tactics that individuals or entities in the real estate and financial services industries should be on the lookout for; how artificial intelligence may be heightening cyberthreats for parties to real estate transactions; how real estate agents, lawyers, financial institutions, or clients can protect themselves from cybercrime, liability risks, and related losses.

Traveling With Minors: What to Know [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

What to know when undertaking domestic or international travel with minors, whether family members or otherwise; potential legal issues involving minors; documentation that may need to be presented for international travel, especially in the case of divorced parents; additional issues involving travel industry safeguards related to the prevention of child sex trafficking and how those well-intentioned precautions may inadvertently snare innocent adults; how to resolve disputes with transit authorities over issues involving minors; remedies or compensation available to passengers who have experienced travel interruptions or additional costs due to conflicting or missing information from airlines or other travel industry companies regarding documentation needed for a minor child; additional tips regarding contractual obligations, waivers, and travel insurance.

How to Prepare for Possible Electronics Searches at International Borders 

Consider writing about:

Individual rights regarding the possession and control of personal electronics at international border checkpoints; when authorities have the right to search, seize, and/or retain devices and data; when a warrant is needed; how to interact with authorities; what to consider regarding privacy, data files, and backup devices or systems prior to traveling; additional issues regarding intellectual property, obligations to employers, and non-disclosure agreements; any illustrative court cases regarding electronics searches; or perhaps a list of do’s and don’ts to keep in mind before (and possibly after) an electronic device has been seized.

Is Travel Insurance Worth Exploring? [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

Travel insurance tips; costs or situations that travel insurance policies typically cover; limitations or exclusions to watch out for when researching travel insurance; whether other forms of insurance would be of use when travel plans go awry; alternatives to a stand-alone insurance policy when weighing travel-related risks.

Supportive Housing Trends Worth Knowing About 

Consider writing about:

Supportive housing. How this type of housing bas historically been defined (in the jurisdiction of your choice), and how it may be evolving or expanding in terms of population types, design elements, volume, or otherwise; related trends involving zoning, construction, project funding or tax credits, individual financial assistance, government support, eligibility criteria, oversight, and regulation; how someone qualifies for a spot in supportive housing; any noteworthy controversies or legal disputes over supportive housing, and what may be learned from them.

What to Know About the Military Lending Act 

Consider writing about:

The Military Lending Act; key benefits, rights, and protections under this Act; noteworthy enforcement actions or litigation trends involving the Military Lending Act; what else either individuals or financial institutions should know about the Act.

What a Bankruptcy Court Decision Shows Regarding Intricacies of Student Loans 

Consider writing about:

A recent bankruptcy court decision involving student loan debt; factors that were key to the court’s decision; what this case may illustrate regarding different forms of student loans, debt types, and entities to whom loan repayments are due; repayment options to consider in debt cases involving student loans.

Related information:

https://ecf.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/25/08/256001P.pdf

Protester Rights and Protections: A Refresher 

Consider writing about:

Political protesters’ rights to freedom of speech and assembly; precautions to take before participating in a political demonstration; the do’s and don’ts of recording police actions; what else to know about interacting with law enforcement during or after a protest; how individuals can best protect themselves while demonstrating; legal issues involving electronic devices, surveillance, and recorded activities; additional tips on personal safety; when protests are most likely to cross a legal line; whether states are increasingly restricting political protesters’ rights; how to prepare for the possibility of being arrested; rights and processes to keep in mind post-arrest.

How to Secure Dual Citizenship [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

Conditions under which a native-born American may be able to obtain dual citizenship, whether through marriage, citizenship by descent, or naturalized citizenship status; common misunderstandings regarding any of these scenarios; limitations or roadblocks to securing dual citizenship rights and protections; key points to know about the process (either generally speaking or specific to one country) of obtaining dual citizenship; additional options for high-net-worth individuals; any downsides to possessing dual citizenship.

Dying Without a Will: What’s the Worst That Can Happen? [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

What happens if someone dies without a will. Consider choosing among: a cautionary tale regarding the potential fate of an estate when no relevant will exists; a comparison of state-specific laws that pertain to such situations; or the passing of a celebrity as a jumping-off point for describing the consequences of dying without a will.

How to Evaluate, and Assess Risks Posed by, Assisted-Care Facilities [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

The potential for institutional neglect of loved ones who depend on assisted-care facilities (whether short- or long-term facilities); key business issues or other trends affecting the assisted-care industry and its quality of care; how to research an assisted-living facility’s policies, practices, and management before selecting a facility; additional questions to ask of staff, management, and others; warning signs that family members or guardians should be on the lookout for once a relative or other loved one has taken up residence at such a facility; rights of residents, family members, or other visitors as regards access to medical records and choice of treatment, services, or corrective actions; legal, tech-centric, or other types of protections or resources that may be beneficial for facility residents and their families or guardians as a way to monitor ongoing care and individual well-being.