Update at 4:15 p.m. Thursday — Rep. Don Beyer shared that he met with the Arlington postmaster, who indicated the U.S. Postal Service will clear its backlog of undelivered mail next week. The congressman said a new manager who was hired has approved additional hiring to prevent future delays.
Earlier: Issues with mail delivery, sometimes involving important documents, have been plaguing one North Arlington ZIP code for months and have gotten worse this winter, residents say.
Virginia’s minimum wage is on track to continue increasing over the next two years.
Two companion bills — SB1 and HB1 — have passed both chambers and are expected to go to Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D), who has indicated that she will sign them into law.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A will is only one part of a comprehensive estate plan. Depending on your circumstances, you may also benefit from:
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.
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.
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
Arlington County police are looking for four suspects in the early morning baseball bat beating of two men.
The incident happened early Sunday in the Pentagon City area, while “the two male victims were inside a residence with the two female suspects.”
Local entrepreneur MaryBeth Powers is being featured on an episode of Women in Power, a series that highlights inspiring women whose passion, perseverance, and purpose have made a meaningful impact in their communities.
The episode shares the remarkable story behind Teddy’s Turmeric Tamer®, an all-natural daily wellness topper for dogs that was born from love and determination. After MaryBeth’s beloved dog, Teddy, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and given just 2–4 weeks to live, she refused to give up hope. Through extensive research and a commitment to natural wellness, she created a unique blend of premium ingredients to support Teddy’s health. Teddy went on to enjoy three more years filled with love, comfort and quality of life.
Democratic-led states are increasingly pushing back against President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown — and Virginia is the latest to join in.
The Virginia Senate on Tuesday passed a bill that would place hefty guardrails on any proposed 287(g) agreements allowing local law enforcement to carry out federal immigration functions. The bill still must go to the House.
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Just because a wipe says it’s “flushable,” that doesn’t mean it’s fit for Arlington’s sewage system.
That’s what the county’s Department of Environmental Services is reminding residents after a wad of wipes contributed to a sewage overflow last week at a ruptured sewage pipe upstream from Arlington on the Potomac River.
Arlington’s annual Feel the Heritage Festival is returning this weekend, bringing dozens of vendors, performers and history displays in celebration of Black History Month.
The 31st annual festival, taking place from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday at the Charles Drew Community Center (3500 23rd Street S.), celebrates the national theme of this Black History Month, “A Century of Black History Commemoration.”
Members of the county’s Disability Advisory Commission are deeply unhappy with recent local efforts to remove snow and ice from pedestrian pathways.
A recent meeting zeroed in on a lack of attention given to a key entrance to the Bozman Government Center, as well as lingering snow on many curb cuts and sidewalks.
A Falls Church advisory panel is asking city leaders to embrace a low-tech but potentially effective tool to promote pedestrian safety.
Discussion on providing orange flags at unsignalized street crossings came up at the Feb. 11 meeting of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Transportation.
Fat Tuesday Events — A number of New Orleans-themed events are being held today in honor of Fat Tuesday, including at Bayou Bakery, Ragtime and William Jeffrey’s Tavern.
Sewage Line Repairs — “Emergency repairs of the Potomac Interceptor will take 4–6 weeks. Crews are close to completing the enhanced bypass system, which will allow repairs to begin soon. Added pumps are online & no overflow events were reported.” [DC Water/X, WTOP]
Feds Stepping In — “President Donald Trump said Monday that the federal government will step in to “protect” the Potomac River following the collapse of a major sewer pipe in the Washington, D.C., region, and accused local officials of mismanaging waste management systems.” [NBC News]
Carjacking Arrest — “An Arlington woman was arrested after she allegedly stole a man’s car when he refused to give her a ride, according to police. It happened around 1:59 a.m. Thursday along Seminary Road in the Bailey’s Crossroads area of Fairfax County.” [WJLA, Annandale Today]
Red Light Runner on Camera — “Red light runner, possible hit & run crash early today on S. Glebe Rd near I-395. @ArlingtonVaPD
apparently found the driver of the white vehicle a few blocks away. No serious injuries reported.” [Dave Statter/X]
GW Parkway Work Update — “After more than two and a half years of major traffic disruptions for commuters and other drivers, the National Park Service (NPS) said it has reached “substantial completion” of rehabilitation work on a northern section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway.” [WJLA]
Post Layoffs Cut Courts Reporters — “Between buyouts at the Post last year and the layoffs this month, the Post eliminated all our local courts journalists save Sal… In all, we lost 18 local reporters and 7 local editors in these layoffs; five of the 16 remaining reporters are being transferred to national politics and criminal justice coverage. (Two of those left are on fellowships and may not have jobs at the end).” [Court Watch]
Lawsuit Over D.C. Courses — “Two recreational golfers from the D.C. area have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging efforts to overhaul the East Potomac Golf Links and alleging the move could undermine its long-standing role as a public park. Dave Roberts, a Washington, D.C. resident, and Alex Dickson of Arlington, along with the D.C. Preservation League, are suing the Department of Interior and the National Park Service.” [Fox 5]
Arlington Company Expanding — “Arlington space company Umbra Lab Inc. plans to hire more than 100 employees and expand into a new 20,000-square-foot office in Reston as part of a $6.75 million investment announced Thursday. A $500,000 grant from Virginia’s Opportunity Fund is supporting the expansion.” [WBJ]
Va. Medical Leave Bill — “In Virginia, companies decide whether or not they will offer paid sick days to their employees, because there is no state policy that sets a minimum for how much sick time employers must offer. After several years of attempts, legislation to require paid sick leave for workers cleared Virginia’s House of Delegates on Monday.” [Virginia Mercury]
Lawsuit Against Fmr. AG — “A former Virginia Attorney General’s Office employee filed a lawsuit on Thursday against former Attorney General Jason Miyares, among other previous office leaders, due to allegations of wrongful termination after she spoke out about a payment she alleged was a conflict of interest.” [DC News Now]
Va. Social Media Restrictions — “Attorney General Jay Jones announces today that his office intends to fully enforce new provisions of the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act, which require social media platforms to limit minors’ usage to one hour per day unless a parent opts to increase that limit.” [Press Release]
Melting Helping Disabled People — “For week two, Rochelle Harrod remained stuck. The first time she tried to leave her apartment after a late-January snowstorm left the D.C. area locked down in “snowcrete,” she made it down the elevator from her Hyattsville, Maryland, apartment but could go no further than a few feet outside the front door. The wheels of her 300-pound motorized wheelchair couldn’t make it over a snow-covered ramp.” [Washington Post]
It’s Tuesday — Expect patchy fog to clear by 8am, giving way to partly sunny skies and a high near 55 with light southwest winds. As for Tuesday night, it’ll turn cloudy with a low around 43. [NWS]
Flickr pool photo by ksrjghkegkdhgkk
