A company with Arlington roots is using AI to improve tech support for companies around the world.
A “new take on the IT help desk,” Fixify seeks to minimize the need for humans in resolving a range of problems that companies face, CEO and Arlington resident Matt Peters told ARLnow.
A karaoke bar and restaurant in Crystal City plans to open its doors in the next few weeks.
After nearly a year of development, Lantern Restaurant & Bar is preparing to open toward the end of this month or in early January, co-owner Shen Zhao told ARLnow.
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
A Chinese dumpling and noodle restaurant plans to open in Rosslyn this spring.
Yu Noodles recently signed a lease at 1515 Wilson Blvd, in the retail bay formerly held by Tom Yum District.
Here in Arlington, real estate is a spectator sport. Let’s take a look at some of the most and least expensive townhouses sold last month (November 2024).
Most expensive townhouses sold
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.
Incoming County Board member JD Spain, Sr., used his ceremonial swearing-in ceremony to promote the spirit of collaboration and community.
During the Dec. 14 ceremony, Spain — a Democrat — pledged to support a community “where everyone feels valued and safe.”
Arlington’s likely 2025 County Board chairman has economic-development and property-repurposing initiatives atop his to-do list for the coming year.
“One out of four square feet [of office space in the county] is unoccupied,” Takis Karantonis on Dec. 10 told members of Arlington Senior Democrats. “It’s the highest for us ever, and one of the highest in the nation. What is worse, it’s not looking like the business is coming back.”
Man Shot By Police Identified — “The deceased has been identified as Cedric Butler, 27, of No Fixed Address. This remains an active criminal investigation by the Critical Incident Response Team. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department’s Tip Line.” [ACPD]
Central Library Garage Repairs — “The Central Library parking garage will be closed for structural repairs soon. The garage will not be accessible to the public or library patrons, and repairs could last through Spring 2025. Surface parking lots will be available, but parking will be a challenge.” [Arlington Public Library]
George Mason Drive Lane Closures — From Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services: “On weekdays during the week of December 15, crews will be working on signal foundations at the intersection of North George Mason Drive & North Park Drive.” [Twitter]
Tree Plantings on the Pike — Also from Arlington DES: “Timberrr, but opposite. Trees are being planted on Segment F of Columbia Pike, on medians and sidewalks.” [Twitter]
Mumu Cafe Gets By — “Having a set-up along Langston Boulevard isn’t ideal. Although MOM’s Organic brings customers on the other side of the block and he’s surrounded by residential buildings, Williams said foot traffic is slim. That was the same problem for Naked Lunch, as [ARLnow] reported after that restaurant closed. It limits what Williams can do to grow the business. Mumu Cafe gets enough traffic to stay afloat, and more customers would require hiring and paying more employees.” [WBJ]
Chef Makes Croissant Ornaments — “When a piece of art is also edible, it creates a dilemma — admire it, or eat it? Barbara Whettell is a pastry chef in Arlington County, Virginia, at Surreal, which is located on Crystal Drive in National Landing. She has created completely edible hanging ornament croissants.” [WTOP]
Collective Bargaining in F.C. — “Taking its place for the first time as a major factor in the City of Falls Church annual budget process, collective bargaining in the shaping of teacher and other employee compensations was felt in the first public steps toward a FY26 budget taken at the City Council meeting this Monday. This is the first year that collective bargaining has figured into the budget process, based on a new law passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2021.” [FCNP]
Short Film on F.C. Camera Shop — D.C.-based filmmaker Mo Salih released a short documentary on Dominion Camera’s closure after it spent 56 years in Falls Church. The short includes archived 1970s photographs, a behind-the-scenes look at the shop’s lab and “heartfelt reflections” from employees and customers. –Katie Taranto
It’s Monday — Expect rain until 1pm followed by possible showers after 4pm and patchy fog before 10am. The day will be cloudy with a high near 50 and calm winds turning southward at 6 mph in the afternoon. Monday evening might see rain until 1am, cloudy conditions continue with a low around 48, and south wind at 7-13 mph, gusting up to 18 mph. The chances of precipitation are 40% in the day and 60% at night, with new rainfall amounts under a tenth of an inch. [NWS]
Today’s Morning Notes are brought to you by Industrious. ARLnow has been in an Industrious office for years and we love the convenience — you get to focus on your work rather than worrying about brewing your own coffee or keeping the copy machine stocked. Industrious has several Metro-accessible coworking locations in Arlington.
Over the past five seasons, there were two aspects worth noting about home girls varsity field-hockey matches at Yorktown High School.
First and foremost, there were the Patriots’ contests on the field. But simultaneously, there was a free, live YouTube-streamed broadcast of the matches.
A mother and an young child are fighting for their lives after being stabbed Saturday night in Pentagon City.
The stabbing happened around 9:45 p.m. near the entrance to the Target store at the corner of Army Navy Drive and S. Joyce Street. Initial reports suggest a mother and her baby were both stabbed and critically injured by a suspect said to be the child’s father.
