Before Arlington moves to change its form of government, it needs to educate more residents on what the current structure is and why reforms might be needed, one County Board member believes.
“Walk down a street in Ballston, Columbia Pike, anywhere — most folks will look at you like a deer in the headlights” when governance is brought up, Julius “J.D.” Spain, Sr., said at the Jan. 13 Arlington County Civic Federation meeting.
This week marks the 10-year anniversary of Mark Schwartz becoming Arlington’s county manager on a permanent basis.
Schwartz had been appointed to the role in an acting capacity in July 2015, and County Board members announced on Jan. 8, 2016 that they had decided to make the position permanent.
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
Another candidate has entered a challenge against Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) in the lawmaker’s first primary election in his 18 years on the Senate.
Mark Moran, a former reality television star and Wall Street investment banker who lives in Falls Church, announced his candidacy today (Wednesday), one year and one day after President Trump was sworn into office.
Two restaurants in Arlington and three in Falls Church made the grade in Washingtonian’s new “100 Very Best Restaurants” list.
Regulars in the local dining scene will be familiar with most of these spots, all of which were also highlighted last year. They range from a Vietnamese restaurant in Falls Church’s Eden Center to a popular French-inspired establishment on Langston Blvd.
Live standup comedy in Arlington on Friday July 31 starring Jim Bryan, Kim Villamera, and Greg Billet.
Friday, July 31, 2026
Nearly 7,000 homes and businesses are without power in and around Pentagon City on a frigid Wednesday morning.
The outage was first reported shortly after 8:30 a.m., encompassing parts of Pentagon City, Crystal City, Aurora Highlands and Arlington Ridge. In all, 6,902 Dominion customers were without power, according to the utility’s website.
Arlington government leaders appear willing to fill financial gaps if the federal government reduces housing grants to support vulnerable populations — but they don’t know how big those gaps might be.
“We’re not going to not find a way to fund it. We’re not going to let that all fall apart,” Board member Maureen Coffey said at the Housing Commission’s Jan. 15 meeting, which looked at impacts of current and future budget cuts to federal housing funds.
The Arlington Commission on the Status of Women opened 2026 with a goal of increasing public awareness of its activities.
But the effort also came with a caution that the body not stray from its statutory role as an advisory panel to the County Board.
All-Day Cafe in Rosslyn — “Michelin-starred chef Fabio Trabocchi’s restaurant group plans to open an all-day cafe in the Rosslyn office building where he opened a Sfoglina outpost just before the Covid-19 pandemic. Fabio Trabocchi Restaurants has inked a deal to take over the roughly 2,200-square-foot former AHRA Cafe space, across the lobby from the Sfoglina upscale Italian restaurant that opened at 1100 Wilson Blvd. in October 2019.” [WBJ]
Miller Protester Profiled — “Wien was on a quiet cul-de-sac that day when she noticed a black SUV idling in front of a large white house. She recalls asking the driver to kill the engine as she rattled off information about rising asthma rates. Then she looked up and saw someone on the porch she recognized: Miller’s wife, Katie Miller. Standing there in her sundress, Wien steeled herself and pointed her fingers at her own eyes, then at Miller, as if to say, “I’m watching you.” To Katie Miller, it appeared to be a threat.” [Washington Post]
Garage Fire in Cherrydale — “Units are on scene of a house fire on the 1800 block of N Monroe St. Smoke was visible from the garage upon arrival… Units are working on ventilation. No injuries to occupants or firefighters. Small explosion from the fire caused the garage doors to blow out. Fire Marshals will be investigating the origin and case.” [ACFD/X]
House Fire Along Rt. 50 — “Units are on scene of a house fire on the 2600 block of Arlington Blvd. Smoke was visible from the structure… Occupant was evaluated and refused transport. No injuries to firefighters.” [ACFD/X]
Robbery Attempt Near Va. Square — “The male and female victims were walking in the area when they were approached by the male suspect who displayed what appeared to be a firearm and attempted to steal the male victim’s belongings. The suspect assaulted the male victim, resulting in both of them falling to the ground. A second suspect approached the group, and the two suspects subsequently fled the scene on foot. No injuries were reported, and the suspects did not steal any of the victims’ belongings.” [ACPD]
Mardi Gras Comes Early — “In anticipation of Mardi Gras, Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery in Arlington will be offering Carnival-inspired confections, LIL’ GRAS, every Tuesday and Thursday in the pastry case leading up to Fat Tuesday on. Feb. 17. On Tuesdays, guests can sample a Carnival Cupcake, which is topped with Creole Cream Cheese and sweet sprinkles. Then on Thursdays, fan favorite flashback King Cruffin will return.” [Patch]
Paper Slams City’s Marketing — “For the City of Falls Church’s noble efforts at economic development to be sustained, a concerted effort to draw in revenue from populations beyond its borders is required. There is no evidence that anybody at City Hall has gotten this message, beyond lip service.” [FCNP]
Local Measles Case — “A measles case in Northern Virginia has raised concern about more people becoming exposed to the disease, including at the Inova Fairfax Hospital campus in Merrifield. The Virginia Department of Health reported today (Tuesday) that a preschool-aged child who traveled internationally was confirmed to have measles. This is the third measles case reported in Virginia so far in 2026.” [FFXnow]
Spanberger on Federal Gov’t — “‘I believe the governor of Virginia and the president of the United States should have a productive relationship built on mutual trust,’ Spanberger said, omitting the word ‘respect’ that was in the written version of the speech. ‘And let me say here today, that where there are shared priorities, I will actively seek and be ready for partnership.’ But when federal policies threaten Virginia jobs, she said, ‘I will not hesitate to push back.'” [Washington Post]
Storm Likelihood Increasing — “Confidence is increasing for a significant winter storm for the region Saturday into Sunday. Significant travel delays and closures are becoming increasingly likely, so start planning ahead to minimize impact on you and your family.” [NWS/X]
Double Digit Accumulation Possible — “Of dozens of simulations from multiple modeling systems, the average snowfall forecast is around 8 to 10 inches, but that amount is by no means a lock as there is a large range of projections.” [CWG]
It’s Wednesday — Clouds will gradually increase throughout the day, reaching a high near 40°F, accompanied by a southeast wind that will shift to the south at 9-14 mph in the morning and gust up to 25 mph. Wednesday night, expect partly cloudy skies with a low temperature around 33°F. The south wind will persist at around 10 mph, with possible gusts up to 20 mph. [NWS]
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lindsey Halligan, who, as a hastily appointed Justice Department prosecutor, pursued indictments against a pair of President Donald Trump’s adversaries, is leaving her position as her months-long tenure has now concluded, Attorney General Pam Bondi said Tuesday night.
Halligan’s departure from the role of interim United States attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia came as multiple judges were casting doubt on her ability to remain in the job legally following a court ruling two months ago that declared her appointment illegal. She was appointed in September to a 120-day stint, which concluded Tuesday.
