The two-month sprint to Election Day in Arlington begins next Tuesday as the Arlington County Civic Federation holds its annual candidate forum.
The Civic Federation is typically the first organization to hold a fall election-themed forum. This year, the event will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 2 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Hazel Auditorium at VHC Health.
The Arlington County Fire Department is welcoming a new dog deputy, and he’s not joking around.
Joker, a male yellow Labrador retriever, is in training to help detect “fire accelerants” at the scene of a fire, ACFD spokesman Capt. Jamie Jill told ARLnow. The dog will be capable of smelling explosives as well as post-blast residue.
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
Robbery in Pentagon City — “The female suspect entered the business, collected merchandise and attempted to exit the store without payment during which she was confronted by loss prevention personnel. The suspect shoved loss prevention personnel before running from the scene. A lookout was broadcast and a responding officer located an individual matching the description of the suspect in 1100 block of S. Hayes Street and took her into custody. During the course of the investigation, the suspect spat on an officer.” [ACPD]
Rosslyn Robbery Arrest — “It’s the arrest of a man charged with a Wednesday afternoon assault and robbery of a cell phone at Nash St. & Key Blvd. Police made an arrest minutes later at Wilson Blvd. & Ft. Myer Dr.” [Dave Statter/X]
Motorcycle Crash on Langston Blvd — “Most of this crash Friday night occurred off-camera but you will get the idea. A motorcyclist on Langston Blvd heading toward Falls Church collided with a car at Washington Blvd. As you can see, apparently no serious injuries as the frustrated biker got up on their own.” [Dave Statter/X]
USS Arlington Visit — “Honored to host the USS Arlington’s Chief Petty Officers & their families at Station 5A for a special dinner this week. Grateful for the chance to connect, share a meal, and show appreciation for their service. Looking forward to more moments of fellowship.” [ACFD/X]
Local Energy Firm Optimistic — “Maggie McCarey, vice president of policy and strategy for Arlington geothermal developer Dandelion Energy, said her startup is “well-positioned” following the bill’s passage. The company sells geothermal heating and cooling systems to home developers across the country, and it appears to be unmoved by the bill.” [WBJ]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunshine and a high near 79 degrees with a northwest wind of 5 to 7 mph. On Tuesday night, it will be partly cloudy and the temperature will drop to around 59 degrees. [NWS]
Good Monday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Aug 25, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Tuesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect sunshine and a high near 79 degrees with a northwest wind of 5 to 7 mph. On Tuesday night, it will be partly cloudy and the temperature will drop to around 59 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind at about 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
“The mind is everything. What you think you become.”
– Buddha
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
Live standup comedy in Arlington on Friday July 31 starring Jim Bryan, Kim Villamera, and Greg Billet.
Friday, July 31, 2026
A controversial sign at an Arlington transgender rights rally last week is prompting public condemnation from organizers and invigorating supporters of Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears.
The sign in question reads, “Hey Winsome, if trans can’t share your bathroom then Blacks can’t share my water fountain.” It went viral on social media following a post on X from the Arlington GOP.
A commercial airliner had to abandon its landing at Reagan National Airport after a U.S. Army helicopter began to ascend above the Pentagon earlier this year, officials say.
The two aircraft experienced a “loss of separation” around 2:30 p.m. on May 1, coming less than half a mile from each other, according to a preliminary report that the National Transportation Safety Board released on Friday.
A developer at a housing complex near Crystal City has closed on the land for a new 42-unit townhouse project and plans to begin construction in the next few months.
D.C.-based EYA LLC announced its plans for the forthcoming Highlands Row project at the Crystal House Apartments complex in a Friday press release.
Seniors at Washington-Liberty High School kicked off the first day of school today (Monday) with an annual “Senior Sunrise” tradition on the school’s football field.
Students from the class of 2026 began shuffling onto the field around 6 a.m., and by sunrise, about 100 of them had gathered at War Memorial Stadium to celebrate. As they took pictures, lounged on blankets and enjoyed a free breakfast treat, some reflected on what it meant to begin their final year of high school.
Summer Restaurant Week promotions are continuing through the end of August at several Arlington locations.
Lyon Hall, Bar Chinois and Seoul Prime are just some of the 120 D.C.-area restaurants extending their prix fixe deals through Sunday, Aug. 31, the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington announced.
