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The 5 biggest estate planning mistakes we see in Virginia

By PJI Law
Two professionals in business attire converse across a long glass conference table in a law firm meeting room, with PJI LAW on a wall screen behind them.

No matter your age, having a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family. A properly prepared will ensures your wishes are carried out, helps reduce family disputes, and can make the estate administration process much smoother.

Unfortunately, many Virginians make avoidable mistakes that can create unnecessary stress and expense for their loved ones. Here are five of the most common.

1. Trying to Write a Will Without Legal Guidance

Online templates and DIY wills may seem like an easy way to save money, but they often create bigger problems later. Virginia law has specific requirements for a valid will, including proper signatures and witness requirements. Even small mistakes can leave a will open to challenges or delay the administration of an estate.

2. Forgetting to Update Your Will

A will shouldn’t be something you create once and forget. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, buying a home, or losing a loved one can all affect your estate plan.

Reviewing your will every few years—or after a major life event—helps ensure it still reflects your wishes and keeps your loved ones protected.

3. Overlooking Federal Estate Tax Planning

Virginia no longer has a state estate tax, but federal estate taxes may still affect larger estates. As home values and investments continue to grow, more families may find themselves closer to the federal exemption than they expected.

Planning ahead can help minimize tax consequences and preserve more of your estate for your beneficiaries.

4. Not Planning for Minor Children

For parents, a will does more than distribute assets—it allows you to name a guardian for your minor children. Without that designation, a court may ultimately decide who will care for them.

Many families also choose to establish a trust so inherited assets can be managed responsibly until children reach an age or milestone they determine is appropriate.

5. Choosing the Wrong Executor—or Not Naming One at All

Your executor is responsible for carrying out your wishes, paying debts, and distributing your assets. Selecting someone who is organized, trustworthy, and capable of handling those responsibilities is just as important as deciding who inherits your property.

It’s also essential to clearly identify your beneficiaries. Vague language or outdated information can create confusion and, in some cases, disputes among family members.

Don’t Forget the Rest of Your Estate Plan

A will is only one part of a comprehensive estate plan. Depending on your circumstances, you may also benefit from:

  • A revocable living trust
  • A durable power of attorney
  • An advance medical directive
  • A transfer-on-death deed for your home

Together, these documents can help protect your finances, outline your healthcare wishes, and simplify matters for your family if you’re ever unable to make decisions yourself.

The Bottom Line

A well-prepared estate plan provides peace of mind for both you and your loved ones. By avoiding these common mistakes and keeping your documents up to date, you can help ensure your wishes are honored while reducing stress for your family in the future.

If it’s been several years since you’ve reviewed your will—or you’ve never created one—it may be time to speak with an experienced Virginia estate planning attorney about your options.

PJI Law, PLC: Estate Planning Attorneys in Fairfax, VA

At PJI Law, PLC, we work with clients across Fairfax and Northern Virginia to build estate plans that reflect their intentions and align with Virginia law. Our estate planning attorneys take the time to review your assets, beneficiary designations, business interests, and family structure so your plan works as intended.

Whether you’re creating your first will or revisiting an existing one, our team will help you avoid the mistakes that can undermine your entire estate plan.

Call (703) 865-6100 or contact us online to schedule your complimentary consultation today.

PJI Law, PLC
3900 Jermantown Rd, 2nd Floor
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
(703) 865-6100
https://pjilaw.com

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington: July 22, 2026

By Sponsor

Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose prices have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by Arlington Realty, Inc. Maximize your real estate investment with the team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6000 today!

Please note: The properties featured here may be listed with other brokerages– but that doesn’t limit your options. Arlington Realty, Inc. is ready to represent you, arrange showings, analyze value, and negotiate the best possible terms on your behalf. We understand the neighborhoods, pricing trends and market timing — and we use that knowledge to your advantage. 

As of July 20, there are 176 detached homes, 60 townhouses and 275 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 37 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

Image from Just Reduced Properties in Arlington: July 22, 2026

Please note that this is solely a selection of Just Reduced properties available in Arlington County. For a complete list of properties within your target budget and specifications, contact Arlington Realty, Inc. 

Ask Eli: The housing affordability conversation needs to change

By Eli Tucker

This regularly scheduled column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Eli and his team in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach him directly at [email protected].

Question: How much of an impact do you think the ROAD to Housing Act will have on housing affordability in Arlington?

Answer: The Road to Housing Act became law ten days ago, with the stated goal of improving housing affordability in the United States.

I don’t see many policies in the Act that will improve affordability in the Arlington/Northern VA/DC Metro markets, outside of incentives for more affordable multi-family housing, but there are policies that should improve affordability in other markets that are more saturated with institutional investors that own swaths of single-family homes (e.g. Atlanta and Phoenix) and for manufactured/mobile homes.

The Local Conversation Needs to Change

If we are going to improve affordability in our market, most of the change has to be done locally/regionally, not nationally, but it requires a paradigm shift in how we discuss and solve for housing affordability.

Affordability Disconnect: Near Term Expectations Not Realistic
A disconnect between housing affordability expectations and reality prevents the right community and political conversations from happening. We expect/demand housing affordability immediately, ignoring the difficulty, and consequences, of achieving it that quickly.

Stable and healthy housing affordability is a long-term process requiring gradual change over a 10-15+ year period.

Demand-Side Solutions Won’t Work
Demand-side solutions, such as lower interest rates or easier financing, artificially inflate home values, as seen during the COVID-era housing boom and early 2000s. They are not a good long-term solution to affordability because they push values even higher (along with your property taxes) and affordability gets worse when rates/lending normalize and no longer provide artificially low monthly payments.

Supply-Side Solutions Are Not Immediate
Most policy discussions focus on supply-side solutions: building more/faster and denser housing (e.g. Arlington’s Missing Middle/Expanded Housing Option), incentivizing more existing home sales, or disincentivizing concentrated ownership by companies and individuals. Econ 101 tells us that more supply = lower prices = affordable housing (winner winner!).

This is the only path to stable, long-term housing affordability…BUT, at current interest rates, prices must drop 30-35% in the United States to become affordable, at current income levels. A 30-35% drop in home values would devastate the economy, so a supply-side solution won’t (shouldn’t) provide immediate affordability. (more…)

The TPS Eschaton, Proceeding in Echelon

By Sponsor and James Montana

This sponsored column is by Law Office of James Montana PLLC. All questions about it should be directed to James Montana, Esq., Janice Chen, Esq., and Victoria Khaydar, Esq., practicing attorneys at The Law Office of James Montana PLLC, an immigration-focused law firm located in Falls Church, Virginia. The legal information given here is general in nature. If you want legal advice, contact us for an appointment.

In our latest Supreme Court roundup, we discussed how the Supreme Court’s decision in Mullin v. Doe was likely to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for every country that currently enjoys it. Although Mullin only directly addressed TPS for Syria and Haiti, its holding – that the President may end TPS for any country, without meaningful judicial review – will allow the Trump Administration to end TPS as broadly as it likes.

However, TPS can’t be globally and concurrently terminated for every country, for two reasons.

First, TPS is a benefit which lasts for a specified period, then it comes up for renewal. Some countries which enjoy TPS currently – like, say, Ukraine – have not yet reached the renewal (or termination) date, and so the Administration is likely to simply allow the clock to run out for those countries’ TPS benefits.

Second, TPS has been the subject of a bewildering array of lawsuits, all of which are still pending even after the Supreme Court’s decision. In our legal system, a Supreme Court decision doesn’t automatically end legal proceedings in the lower courts. The United States will have to move to have the proceedings dismissed on the basis of Mullin; immigration advocates will have the opportunity to contest that motions practice.

Therefore, we expect the TPS Eschaton to proceed in echelon. (We wrote this whole column with that phrase in mind. Forgive us.)

  1. Burma, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Yemen – July 17, 2026 is the current extension date – it may have passed by the time you read this; it may well have been extended by the time you read this.
  2. Haiti and Syria – July 24, 2026 is the current extension date. As of this moment, most EADs for Haitian and Syrian TPS beneficiaries remain automatically extended. Whether there will be any further extensions depends on litigation, and on the speed of the federal courts.
  3. El Salvador – September 9, 2026 is the current extension date.
  4. Venezuela – It’s complicated. TPS beneficiaries who received TPS-related employment authorization documents (EADs), Forms I-797, Notices of Action, and Forms I-94 issued with Oct. 2, 2026, expiration dates on or before Feb. 5, 2025, will maintain work authorization and their documentation will remain valid until Oct. 2, 2026. Other TPS beneficiaries’ work permits have already lapsed.
  5. Sudan and Ukraine – October 19, 2026 is the current extension date.
  6. Lebanon – November 27, 2026 is the current extension date.

For all of these countries, we believe it’s merely a matter of time before TPS ends.

What should TPS beneficiaries do?

Some should consider applying for a green card via the adjustment of status. Parents of U.S. citizen children over the age of 21, or spouses of U.S. citizens, are especially encouraged to consider doing so. (Keep in mind that some TPS beneficiaries entered with visas, or later re-entered with advance parole; they will be treated far better in the Adjustment of Status process than those who simply crossed the border.)

Some should consider applying for asylum. With TPS ending, many people who legitimately and reasonably fear return to their countries of origin are going to apply for legal protection. Ordinarily, you must apply for asylum within one year of entry. Being in a valid TPS status is considered a reasonable exception to that rule, but that exception is time-limited. We strongly encourage people to meet with an immigration attorney before or shortly after TPS expires. Six months after TPS expires is likely to be too late.

Some TPS beneficiaries simply won’t have a good immigration option. That is the nature of our immigration system – it is complex, unpredictable, and unfair. Our work as immigration lawyers is mostly palliative. We try to diminish the harm that the immigration system causes, one case (and one family) at a time.

Thank you, Arlington, for a great summer in roofing!

By Sponsor
Image from Thank you, Arlington, for a great summer in roofing!
Image from Thank you, Arlington, for a great summer in roofing!
Image from Thank you, Arlington, for a great summer in roofing!
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Hello again, Arlington! It’s me Drew here again from All Team Exteriors – your Arlington based company for roofing, windows, siding, gutters, and doors. I’m reaching out today to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for an incredible first five months in business. Thanks to your support we’ve been growing very swiftly, and we can’t thank you enough. If you don’t remember me, I reached out back in February about my hopes and plans to build something honest right here in Arlington. You all helped us get off to an incredible start and again we just can’t thank you enough.

We have also brought on our first team member and that’s been an absolute blast as well. This summer we were lucky to bring on Owen as an intern from James Madison University, a rising senior there. Owen has been an incredible guy and has worked tirelessly with us, side by side, day in and day out, to help us build this company. One of our owners is a James Madison University graduate and so it’s been great to bring on another JMU team member. Owen is heading back in five or six weeks, but he’s already committed to joining All Team again next summer and bringing some of his JMU buddies along for the ride to hopefully work with us also. We’re thankful for a fun and productive first summer from Owen and look forward to working with him in the future.

We’ve done quite a few roofs already, but we’ve also been blessed to get to work in the other exterior trades as well. This summer we’ve put on new gutters, windows, siding, and doors for many of our clients in Arlington and all-over Northern Virginia. It’s been fun to help take care of our clients in more than one way and provide them with the exterior services that they need.

If you’d like to follow along, anytime you can follow us on Instagram @allteamexteriors and keep up with our growing journey. We’re trying to show transparently as we learn and grow and do our best for every client and family that we’re lucky enough to work with.

If you’re thinking about getting some work done, whether it be a repair or whether you need a new roof, window, door, siding, or some gutters, please let us know. Reach out to us before the end of the summer and we’ll be happy to offer 10% off any job that you need done. Always estimates are always free and we’d love a chance to come by your home and take a look and offer our services. Give us a call at (703) 705-7207.

We look forward to serving you and the greater Arlington community and again we can’t thank you enough from the bottom of our hearts for everything you’ve done for us so far. Stay hydrated and enjoy the rest of your summer and we look forward to working with you soon!

Creating memory points in new condos- the power of a good “Ta-Da!”

By Kami Kraft

Welcome to Kami’s Korner where we’ll take a deep dive into Arlington’s condominium market by focusing on what’s coming next. From emerging developments to shifting trends, this space will spotlight the opportunities and insights shaping the future of condo living in Arlington.

Let me tell you about a recent rental car experience I had that got me thinking about the next generation of new construction condominiums. I recently got rear-ended, and no one was hurt thankfully, but it was an experience to say the least. I know what you are thinking. How the hell is this related to new condos in Arlington? But trust me, it is, or will be.

The accident resulted in my having to get a rental car. Once I completed my reservation at the agency, I went outside to the car lot with the agent and he asked me to pick a car. I looked at the thirty or so cars, various makes and models, and all were grayish soulless boxes. I half jokingly asked him “Do you have any that aren’t so ugly and boring? Good grief. They all look the same.” Rows of boring shades of gray, taupe, off white, white, or metallic with similar body styles. I asked him if he thought they all got together and decided to make the same hideous car. He laughed at me and said he didn’t disagree, while then steering me toward a red Tesla. As I opened the door to the Tesla it reeked of things I haven’t been around since college. I commented that at least someone was having fun in their rental car.

It got me to thinking about how we have seemingly sucked the life out of so many things since the pandemic era. So many things look the same- AI generated, Minecraft style futuristic, and terribly stark. Even McDonald’s restaurants, my kids’ favorite fine dining, is modern and minimal with mostly black and beige. What happened to the joyfully obnoxious red and yellow… where is Ronald McDonald? Even McDonald’s knew that red and yellow created emotional memory. Somewhere along the way, we forgot that lesson.

Why Design Memory Matters

Gray is now synonymous with the last generation of condos, a symbol of the gloomy pandemic era with gray cabinets, gray floors, and gray tile. That won’t work going forward and thankfully interior design is shifting toward a look that’s individually collected, warm, natural, and exhibits quiet luxury. Housing prospects don’t want to buy a new gray soulless box that looks like all the others and evokes no emotion. I’m not sure how the car industry arrived at the conclusion that they did. Cars and condos shouldn’t both suffer from soulless sameness.

Due to current economics, the next generation of luxury condos in the 2029-2032 time frame will be 30% more expensive than the last new builds. For new construction condominiums, the quality of the floor plans are of the utmost importance. I often say the true high-end buyer doesn’t compromise well. To get the pricing projected, the quality has to be world class. We can afford to make a few mistakes (slightly overpriced maybe or the views are marginal) but if the layout and the finishes are the very best in the marketplace, the condominium sales will be successful. The inside matters most. The consumer is very smart and picks the best residences first. Let’s give them some reasons to move.

For the last 10-15 years we’ve encouraged developers to include a few “memory points” in their design. This is something the consumer would not expect, shows someone with real talent was involved in the design process, and confirms that several layers of thought were given to the livability of the residences. We have fun with this, and it makes the consumer more confident in making a buying decision when the condominium has personality. (more…)

Art Focus: new day rates make Arlington’s Printmaking Studio more accessible than ever

By Sponsor
Step into the Print Making Studio at The Studios of Arlington Arts, where artists bring ideas to life
The Print Making Studio is more than a workspace, it's a creative hub where artists connect, experiment, and grow through the timeless art of printmaking.
From carving and inking to pulling the final print, creativity is always in motion at the Print Making Studio at The Studios of Arlington Arts.
Ink, texture, and imagination come together in the Print Making Studio at The Studios. Every press run tells a story, transforming creative concepts into one-of-a-kind works of art.
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Artists looking for flexible access to professional printmaking equipment now have a new option in Arlington.

Beginning July 1, The Studios at Arlington Arts introduced new day-rate access to its Printmaking Studio, giving experienced printmakers the opportunity to reserve workspace without committing to a monthly membership.

The new pricing is designed to make professional printmaking facilities more accessible while supporting artists who may only need occasional studio time. Day rates are $40 for Arlington County residents and $48 for non-residents.

The Printmaking Studio is equipped for a variety of printmaking processes and is available to experienced artists who can independently operate professional-grade equipment. The new option complements The Studios’ existing membership program, which continues to offer regular studio access, flat file storage, participation in sales events, and keycard access to the facility for artists seeking ongoing workspace.

Located at 3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive, The Studios at Arlington Arts serves as a creative hub where artists develop their practice, connect with fellow creatives, and engage with the community. The addition of day-rate access expands opportunities for artists who need specialized equipment for individual projects, experimentation, or short-term use.

By introducing more flexible studio options, Arlington Arts continues to invest in Arlington’s creative community by lowering barriers to professional resources and supporting artists at every stage of their careers.

To learn more about the Printmaking Studio, membership opportunities, or other programs at The Studios at Arlington Arts, email: [email protected].

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington: July 15, 2026

By Sponsor

Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose prices have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by Arlington Realty, Inc. Maximize your real estate investment with the team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6000 today!

Please note: The properties featured here may be listed with other brokerages– but that doesn’t limit your options. Arlington Realty, Inc. is ready to represent you, arrange showings, analyze value, and negotiate the best possible terms on your behalf. We understand the neighborhoods, pricing trends and market timing — and we use that knowledge to your advantage. 

As of July 13, there are 1174 detached homes, 58 townhouses and 271 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 46 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

Image from Just Reduced Properties in Arlington: July 15, 2026
132 S. Garfield Street

Please note that this is solely a selection of Just Reduced properties available in Arlington County. For a complete list of properties within your target budget and specifications, contact Arlington Realty, Inc. 

Move the farm, not the food: check out Arlington’s local farm

By Carolanne Korolowicz

This regularly scheduled sponsored column is written by Carolanne Korolowicz, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Carolanne in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach her directly at [email protected].

Between headlines and algorithms, it is apparent the ideas of “knowing your farmer” or “grow your own” are some of the top trends in health & wellness. As fast-paced city-slickers, recreating the mini-homesteads plastered all over Instagram and Pinterest feels, and probably is, impossible.

Though the aesthetic and manual labor might not appeal to many, most everyone loves the idea of eating and supporting local. The average grocery store vegetable travels over 1,500 miles and is stored in warehouses for weeks, so it is difficult to consume hyper-local, fresh produce. Area 2 Farms, a USDA-organic farm share, has brought a solution to Arlington residents with their simple mission – “move the farm, not the food.”

Area 2 Farms Frontage
Area 2 Farms Frontage

When I recently took a tour of Area 2 Farms, the best description would be that it was like I got the “organic golden ticket”. Inconspicuously located among South Four Mile Run’s rows of industrial buildings, a team of Arlington-local farmers grow all their own produce, year-round, inside an expansive commercial space. Unlike traditional farming, this urban version features rows of crops extending upwards. A variety of lettuce, micro-greens and root vegetables were thriving in Area 2 Farm’s unique equipment that looked to almost graze the ceiling.

The bulk of produce is grown on an impressive piece of machinery designed and patented by the farm’s founder. Silo, the farmers’ name for the system, starts with each crop planted within a “tote”, essentially a planter box, and set on wheels. Each floor has varying light and heat to mimic the natural temperature and intensity of the sun within a 24-hour period. The crops are moved by a conveyor belt in a snake-like pattern up and down the machinery. Silo also irrigates the plants and features a system to recapture and reuse water. (more…)

Is my child ready for kindergarten? What a Children’s House Montessori School graduate looks like

By Sponsor
Image from Is My Child Ready for Kindergarten? What a Children’s House Montessori School Graduate Looks Like

Every June, Children’s House Montessori School (CHMS) preschool graduates experience the important milestone of their first ever graduation to kindergarten. It is a moment worth celebrating, and for some parents, it is also a moment that surfaces a question: Is my child truly prepared for the next step?

The transition from preschool to kindergarten can feel significant. Parents want to know that their child will be able to act responsibly, follow classroom routines, make friends, and continue to build academic skills. At CHMS, those skills are built from day one. In a Montessori mixed-age classroom, younger children learn by observing older peers, and older children reinforce their own understanding by helping those who just joined CHMS.

Academic skills are woven into the fabric of daily life at CHMS. With guidance from trained Montessori Guides, children engage with sequential, hands-on language materials that allow children to develop a strong foundation in reading, writing, and vocabulary. In mathematics, children use similar materials to explore concepts that develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills. By the time a CHMS graduate enters kindergarten, whether at CHMS or their elementary school, they have developed a strong foundation in many academic areas.

CHMS families often say it best when describing the transition to kindergarten: Kelsey, a CHMS parent alumna shared, “our son entered kindergarten beyond prepared, and we love how the CHMS Montessori curriculum really allowed for him to learn at his own pace. I can’t say enough great things about the teachers.”

Kindergarten readiness is built every morning a child hangs up their own bag, every time they choose a lesson and complete it from start to finish, every afternoon they spend outside on the playground regardless of the weather, and every moment they spend in a warm classroom community.

Like so many CHMS graduates, these daily activities allowed Kelsey’s child to walk into kindergarten knowing how to adapt, clearly communicate wants and needs, and demonstrate grace and courtesy towards others.

For families who choose to continue at CHMS, the kindergarten year is a natural next step. The CHMS preschool and kindergarten program serves children in a mixed-age prepared environment. This means that kindergarteners do not start over in a new setting and instead step into a more experienced role within a classroom they already know. This allows them to deepen skills they have been building for years while serving as leaders for the younger children around them. The result is a kindergarten year that produces independent, confident, and empathic learners, prepared for elementary school and everything that follows.

CHMS is accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year for toddler and preschool programs. Families interested in learning more are encouraged to connect with the admissions team to apply and schedule a tour and see firsthand the CHMS community.

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