Personal Trending Topics

Consider writing about:

A final rule published by the U.S. State Department this week pertaining to applicants for B-1 and B-2 visas; purpose of this visa bond program; when it takes effect; conditions under which the bond would be levied, returned or forfeited; whom the visa bond program would most impact.

Related information:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/countries-subject-to-visa-bonds.html

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/03/2026-15726/visas-visa-bond-program

Consider writing about:

The process for obtaining expungement of criminal records; what this process consists of, and the significance of the end result; any universal or near-universal process guidelines vs. variations from state to state; key challenges or pitfalls that can arise in the process of seeking an expungement; potential resources that may facilitate the expungement process; alternative options to expungement, and how they compare in terms of financial expense, complexity of processes, and end results.

Consider writing about:

Recent federal appeals court rulings regarding searches of travelers’ electronic devices at a U.S. border; types of searches or devices at issue; what to know about the underlying cases at issue in these rulings; practical guidance for individuals regarding protecting personal or business data when traveling.

Related information:

https://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/OpinionsWeb/processWebInputExternal.pl?Submit=Display&Path=Y2026/D07-06/C:25-1891:J:St__Eve:aut:T:fnOp:N:3568148:S:0

https://www.ca4.uscourts.gov/opinions/254239.P.pdf

Consider writing about:

The U.S. Supreme Court’s June 29 ruling in Chatrie v. United States; what to know about the workings of geofencing technology and geofence warrants; basis for the high court’s ruling; the ruling’s potential implications for individual privacy rights, for police procedures, and for investigations, arrests, and prosecutions.

Related information:

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/25-112_0am4.pdf

Consider writing about:

Whether to use AI tools to create an estate plan; for whom and what types of circumstances AI tools are best suited in this context; best practices, limitations, or potential pitfalls to be aware of; whether an AI-generated estate plan would be more vulnerable to legal challenges after the fact.

Consider writing about:

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s alleged use of administrative subpoenas to determine the identities of social media users who are critical of the federal government; how administrative subpoenas work; what to know about their potential impact and limitations; how unusual the DHS’ action may, or may not, be; how social media platforms are responding to DHS subpoenas; basis for legal challenges to the DHS’s alleged targeting of online critics; how individuals can best protect themselves from repercussions when commenting online.

Consider writing about:

How deepfakes and other tech developments are ramping up financial risks for individuals; why the elderly may be more susceptible to imposter scams and their evolving tactics; how relatives or other trusted acquaintances may be able to help at-risk individuals guard against these types of scams and better protect their assets, or pursue recovery options after the fact.

Consider writing about:

Disputes over pet ownership, custody, care, rehoming, or visitation rights in the event of a separation or divorce; any noteworthy lawsuits or other legal developments on this front; pets’ definition and status under the law (as property or otherwise), and how that may be evolving, depending on jurisdiction; resources or additional guidance on preventing or resolving disputes over one’s pets.

Consider writing about:

Data privacy and data security issues that individuals considering whether to use ChatGPT or similar AI tools should be aware of; how people’s personal information is stored or used by AI companies; what privacy laws may or may not apply; settings and data rights that individuals should familiarize themselves with if they want to better manage the AI industry’s use of their information.

Consider writing about:

What happens if someone dies without having created a will. Take your pick of several potential approaches for examining this issue, whether by presenting a cautionary tale (real-life or hypothetical) regarding the fate of an estate that lacks a will, or describing state-specific laws that pertain to such situations, or using the passing of a celebrity as a jumping-off point for describing the consequences of dying without a will. How are these types of situations likely to play out for dependents, other relatives, or other would-be heirs? What courses of action might affected parties pursue after they discover that the deceased left no will?

Consider writing about:

Common legal issues involving children as they head off to college. Among the points to consider exploring: matters involving parental authority and consent; medical authority issues; health care proxy forms; access to reproductive health services; power of attorney; handling of finances and digital assets; and more.

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.

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.

Consider writing about:

The legal rights of parties to human egg donations; legal protections and obligations that may apply to these types of arrangements; important contract terms to cover; potential liability risks, common oversights, or other pitfalls that can arise in egg donation arrangements; what else individuals should be aware of before entering into an egg donation agreement.

Consider writing about:

The process of renouncing one’s citizenship (whether as regards most countries, or regarding a specific country); benefits of doing so; key steps in the process; common pitfalls or misunderstandings to avoid; what else to know before going through with this process; potential alternatives (under certain scenarios) to renouncing citizenship; related trends involving the renouncing of citizenship.

Consider writing about:

How (and when) to challenge a will; common grounds for doing so; what constitutes undue influence; related points regarding notifications, timelines, legal rights, costs, and types of challenges. Consider whether to present a descriptive list of do’s and don’ts by itself, or whether to use a real-life case as an example of what to do, or as a cautionary tale illustrating what not to do.

Consider writing about:

Laws, rights, protections, or other issues involved in fostering children; qualifications needed to foster children; how to find and vet a placement agency; preparation, paperwork, and common pitfalls; additional issues involving age-specific details, children from other countries, or children with special needs; whether to make the transition from a foster parent-child relationship to adoption (and how to do so); a look at any noteworthy cases illustrating how disputes may arise (or are resolved) involving foster or adoptive parents, children, and agencies involved in children’s placement and welfare.

Consider writing about:

Planning for pets’ needs in the event of an owner’s illness, displacement, incapacitation, or death; how pet owners (or their relatives or caretakers) can prepare for these transitions and help ensure a continued happy life for beloved pets; how to establish trusts addressing pets’ needs; conversations and documentation to undertake in advance; anticipating potential challenges (whether by family members or by outside parties) to a pet trust’s terms; practical takeaways from any real-life legal disputes involving trusts that have been set up for pets.

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 don’ts on crafting a will; or use a legal dispute over a contested will (perhaps involving a celebrity) as a jumping-off point to illustrate potential pitfalls; or write about what can happen if someone does not have a will.

Consider writing about:

The process of arranging to donate one’s own body or a loved one’s body to scientific endeavors (ranging from a medical teaching facility to a forensic “body farm”); how to locate, assess, and choose among prospective recipient entities; applicable legal or regulatory standards and guidelines; designation of a responsible party to carry out the transfer of the body; additional guidance regarding communication with family members or caretakers; the recording and execution of donation plans; the costs of donating a body to science vs. the cost of cremations, burials, or newer, purportedly more eco-conscious alternatives; any common misunderstandings regarding the body donation process and necessary steps, or other obligations, limitations, or considerations.

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.

Consider writing about:

New proposals (whether nationally, globally, or in a more limited jurisdiction) to legalize or otherwise encourage “human composting” (also known as terramation or natural organic reduction); what this alternative to better-known forms of burial or cremation consists of; how to vet a business that advertises this service; how this type of business practice is regulated; what else to consider before choosing this end-of-life option; and perhaps a wider-angle look at other types of services that advertise themselves as being greener alternatives to either customary burials or cremations.

Related information:

https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/04/09/lawmakers-weigh-human-composting-in-illinois

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgjgnwdjrzo

Consider writing about:

Living trusts; how they are defined and what purpose they serve; main types of trusts and their advantages and disadvantages; tips on creating and maintaining a living trust; 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.

Consider writing about:

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act; focus of this congressional legislation; how it could affect individuals’ ability to vote; related pointers for individuals regarding current or outdated forms of personal identification and proof of citizenship; how individuals can best protect their voting rights.

Consider writing about:

What individuals should do when they suspect, or receive a notice of, a data breach involving their private information; how to tell a legitimate notification from a fake one; key steps for minimizing fallout following a data breach, and for preventing or ceasing the criminal misuse of one’s personal data; additional tips regarding online safety and electronic devices; overview of breach notification laws, and what an affected individual may consider doing if those laws have not been followed; how to obtain financial relief in conjunction with damage caused by a data breach; what else to know about related processes involving claims, settlements, and payouts.