News

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and his family moved from their home in Arlington to military housing in D.C.

That’s according to new reporting by The Atlantic and a source with knowledge of the situation who spoke to ARLnow after our exclusive reporting that Miller’s north Arlington home was listed for sale.


News

Arlington County is sending $350,000 to the county’s largest food pantry in response to possible disruptions in food aid for thousands of residents.

The funding transfer is intended to expand the Arlington Food Assistance Center’s capacity to help the roughly 10,000 local residents who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is expected to go on pause beginning Saturday because of the government shutdown.


Sponsored

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


Around Town

A new Korean barbecue restaurant has opened for business near Crystal City’s Restaurant Row with grilling options aplenty.

Pi BBQ and Bar, located at 420 23rd Street S., promises “an extensive menu featuring premium cuts of meat, fresh seafood and a variety of traditional Korean dishes” in a modern atmosphere. The restaurant replaces a vacancy left by the Chinese restaurant Young Chow in 2023.


Announcement

As the summer is winding down, Art House 7 is gearing up for August Classes! Offerings include painting, drawing, cartooning, mixed media, and printmaking. Some highlights: Animals of the Serengeti, k-2nd; Digital Art, 4th-6th grades; Painting Metal with Watercolor, Adults. Classes are 3-4 weeks: a short commitment for a lot of creative output. Check out everything on our website.

August Classes at Art House 7:


News

A 21-year-old man is behind bars after police say he robbed the same tobacco shop in Virginia Square multiple times.

Arlington County police made the announcement early Thursday afternoon. Police say the suspect robbed the store — understood to be the Tobacco Hut at 3528 Wilson Blvd — and stabbed an employee last month, resulting in serious injuries.


Event

Join the Rosslyn BID and Arlington Arts at the 34th Rosslyn Jazz Fest 2026 featuring live jazz, food trucks, local vendors, and family-friendly activities in the heart of Rosslyn! This year’s lineup is bringing a diverse mix of performers and bands redefining the jazz music genre including Plena Libre, Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars, Parlor Greens, and Dogo du Togo & the Alagaa Beat Band.


Events

Two of Arlington’s Taco Bell locations are expected to host hundreds of runners the last weekend of November during a 50K race fueled by Tex-Mex.

The Taco Bell DC 50K — an unlicensed event billed as both “the ultimate mix of endurance and spice” and “something completely stupid” — will take contestants on a roughly 32-mile loop, visiting eight Taco Bell locations in Northern Virginia and D.C. on Saturday, Nov. 29.


Opinion

It’s that time of year again. This Sunday at 2 a.m., we’ll “fall back” as Daylight Saving Time comes to an end for 2025.

While gaining an extra hour of sleep sounds nice in theory, the reality of earlier sunsets and darker evenings can be a tough adjustment for many. By the end of next week, the sun will be setting before 5 p.m. in Arlington, leaving many commuters heading home in the dark.


News

Amazon is slashing about 14,000 jobs, but the company’s HQ2 in Pentagon City will mostly be spared, ARLnow is told.

The company said in a Tuesday letter to employees that it is laying off thousands of corporate workers to reduce bureaucracy and “realize efficiency gains” in “this generation of AI.”


Around Town

A Falls Church “toy library” will let customers borrow some toys free of charge in exchange for donations of leftover candy following Halloween.

The Toy Nest is collecting unopened candy as part of its annual candy buyback program, which loans out games, puzzles and more in exchange for sugary treats. The buyback program runs for a week, beginning the day after Halloween this Saturday.


News
Rain in Westover (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Military Prompts Delays at DCA  — “Flights were impacted at Arlington, Virginia’s Reagan National Airport for a period on [Wednesday] afternoon after two jets and a Coast Guard helicopter were called to an airspace violation north of D.C., though no aircraft was actually found, sources told ABC News.” [WJLA, WUSA 9]

Tech Glitch In Juror System — Arlington Circuit Court officials yesterday grappled with a technical glitch related to a vendor’s website that left those seeking to fill out juror questionnaires for 2026 unable to respond. Clerk of Court Paul Ferguson told ARLnow the problem was rectified by the early afternoon, acknowledging his office had fielded “hundreds of calls” from those trying to complete the online response form, which is required by law, but unable to do so. –Scott McCaffrey

Feds Struggle With Finances — “While on intermittent family medical leave for an illness, Brown fell behind on car payments. However, she had an arrangement to make them up, as soon as she returned to work and received her first paycheck in October. But just as she returned to work, the federal government shut down. She received a partial paycheck, but when she left her Arlington, Virginia, condo one day, she noticed the car had been taken.” [WTOP, Axios]

Regional Spending Is Down — “Credit card spending is down in the DMV, per new Bank of America data. The shutdown is likely to blame, the bank says. Compared to last year, card spending per household in the D.C. area dropped 1.4% in the week ending Oct. 18.” [Axios]

Pentagon Wants Faster Firings — “The Pentagon removed key protections for defense civilian workers and directed that managers move with “speed and conviction” to fire employees with “unacceptable” performance reviews last month, just a day before the government shut down.” [Washington Post]

Cox Case in Court — “Registered sex offender Richard Cox was back in an Arlington County Courtroom Wednesday, asking the judge to represent himself on some of the charges he faces… The Arlington prosecutor said if Cox chooses to represent himself on all charges, the prosecutor will file motions to try to stop that. The prosecutor doesn’t want Cox to be able to cross-examine alleged child victims.” [WJLA]

More on Va. Redistricting — “Democrats argued that’s precisely why they propose opening this process. “Potentially giving the voters a choice to revisit their past decision in a small way under extraordinary circumstances undermines no one,” said Sen. Adam P. Ebbin (D-Alexandria).” [Washington Post]

Gov. Race Has Wide Impact — “Spanberger’s stump speech, however, hints at the possible national implications of her race. House Democrats plan to center affordability and the needs of the working class in their push to retake the House next year, and Spanberger’s speech seems to provide a blueprint for that strategy. After invoking the issues that matter most to voters, Spanberger was quick to list three issues that make life unaffordable: the cost of housing, health care and energy.” [Washington Post]

F.C. Field Hockey in Finals — “The Meridian Mustangs earned their third overtime win in the past seven days, with Zorah Randhawa’s goal completing an improbable rally to defeat James Monroe 2-1 in the Regional Semifinals. If you haven’t been riding the emotional roller coaster that is the Meridian High School field hockey team, jump on now.” [FCNP]

Coastal Flooding Possible — “A Coastal Flood Warning has been issued for Arlington County for tomorrow, October 30, from 9 AM to 6 PM. Tidal flooding possible, with up to a foot of water in low-lying areas. Avoid flooded roads.” [Arlington Alert/X]

It’s Thursday — Expect rain and possible storms in the morning, followed by midday showers and then clearing conditions later in the afternoon, with a high of 66 degrees. Southeast winds of 13-15 mph will turn south, with gusts up to 24 mph. There is a 90% chance of precipitation, with half to three-quarters of an inch of rainfall possible. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with a low of 47 degrees and west winds of 9-11 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. [NWS]