In August 2025, Illinois made a major move in favor of consumers and working families with the passage of Senate Bill 1738. Signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker, the new law expands the range of exemptions that protect individuals from aggressive debt collection practices. While the law primarily addresses fairness in debt recovery, it also touches […]

The Internal Revenue Service has unveiled inflation adjustments for over 60 federal tax provisions for the 2026 tax year. These revisions, shaped in part by the recently enacted “One Big Beautiful Bill,” mark one of the most sweeping recalibrations in recent years. While many Americans stand to benefit from broader deductions and higher thresholds, others

In early 2025, a groundbreaking lawsuit in Kansas placed the spotlight on medical decision-making rights and how far state law can limit personal autonomy. The plaintiffs, three women and two physicians, are challenging a statute that automatically invalidates advance directives, including the power of attorney (POA) for health care, when a person is pregnant. For

The conversation around financial transparency took center stage again in 2025 after new research revealed that more than 236,500 properties across England and Wales, worth an estimated £64 billion, are owned through opaque trusts. These structures often conceal the identities of their ultimate owners, including sanctioned foreign elites and politically exposed individuals. For policymakers and

New Technology And Innovations In Digital Wills The landscape of estate planning is changing fast. As our lives move increasingly online, traditional paper wills are giving way to new forms of digital documentation. This evolution has sparked major legal discussions around the use of electronic wills and digital authentication methods. In many jurisdictions, a proposed

In August 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) issued new guidance in the Program Operations Manual System (POMS) that directly affects how families and attorneys approach Special Needs Trusts (SNTs). Specifically, the SSA clarified in section SI 01120.203 that the SNT resource-counting exception only applies if the trust is established for a beneficiary under the

Massachusetts lawmakers recently held hearings on two Supported Decision-Making (SDM) bills, S.155 and H.261, that could change how vulnerable adults manage their lives. Instead of relying solely on full guardianship, these proposals would create a legal framework for SDM agreements, allowing adults with disabilities to formally choose trusted supporters to help them make decisions. A

The U.S. Department of Justice recently released updated guidance for Elder Justice multidisciplinary teams. These teams are designed to address abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults and vulnerable adults more effectively. For anyone involved in elder advocacy, policy, or care services, the update is significant. An elder law lawyer may help families and caregivers

The recent Murdoch family settlement marks the conclusion of one of the most closely watched succession disputes in years. The agreement, finalized in September 2025, secures Lachlan Murdoch’s control of the family’s media empire while compensating his siblings with financial payouts. For those considering the future of their own enterprises, the case offers timely reminders

California recently issued a reminder reinforcing the Attorney General’s role in supervising charitable organizations, fundraisers, and fundraising professionals. For those who work closely with nonprofit compliance, this update underscores how oversight remains a critical part of maintaining public trust. A charitable giving lawyer can help nonprofits understand these responsibilities and adapt to evolving regulations, especially