Advocates of a more streamlined way to get affordable housing built on religious-owned land on Saturday (Nov. 16) made one more appeal to Arlington County Board members.
But they may be facing an uphill battle convincing Arlington, and other Northern Virginia localities, to come on board with the proposal during the 2025 General Assembly session.
A 7-Eleven has closed for good in Clarendon.
A sign indicating the convenience store’s closure was on display at 3137 Wilson Blvd last Friday, an observer noted on Bluesky. The sign directs would-be patrons to another 7-Eleven a few blocks away.
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 ‘Safest Place in America’ — “The safest place in America, subject to some qualifiers that I’ll get to, lies just across the Potomac River from the high-crime District of Columbia. It’s not an exclusive suburb but an entire county of 234,162 residents, more than half of whom live in apartments. While never very dangerous, Arlington County, Virginia, was not always such a safety standout. That came only after the transformation of parts of the county into dense, walkable urban neighborhoods.” [Bloomberg]
Crew Member Brings Gun to DCA — “Transportation Security Administration officers discovered a loaded handgun in the carry-on items of a flight crew member at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Friday, according to authorities. TSA officers found a 9mm handgun loaded with nine bullets, including one in the chamber, among the carry-on items of a female member of a flight crew.” [Patch]
New Lounge Opening at DCA — “Capital One Landing, a new airport lounge at Reagan National Airport whose food and beverage is curated by José Andrés, is set to open Tuesday. The Landing, which is located in Terminal 2 at the intersection of National Hall and Concourse D, is Andrés’ first foray into airports for his growing culinary empire. It features a 3,400-square-foot dining and bar area with room for 90 travelers as well as a 700-square-foot quick-service area where prepared food and drink can be grabbed on the fly.” [WBJ]
Walking Pneumonia On the Rise — “Cases of the mild form of pneumonia have been surging among young children in the Washington region since August, according to pediatricians and public health officials. Spread of the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae is fueling the increase in ‘walking pneumonia,’ a term health-care providers use to refer to an illness that is less severe than full-blown pneumonia, which may cause high fever and require patients to be hospitalized.” [Washington Post]
F.C. ‘Toy Library’ Profiled — “As a joy for kids, parents and caregivers, few businesses in the City of Falls Church can match The Toy Nest – a membership-based ‘toy library, pre-loved toy store, indoor play space, and private event venue’ – at 125 N. Washington Street. With all the community-minded service the company of nine part-time employees and one full-time owner carries out – as well as the staff’s truly giving spirit – however, it’s hard to imagine it’s a for-profit enterprise.” [Falls Church Independent]
It’s Tuesday — Expect partly sunny skies with a high of around 63 and light winds shifting to the southeast at 6 mph in the afternoon. Tuesday night brings a slight chance of showers, mostly cloudy conditions, and a low of about 51 with light southeast winds; there’s a 20% chance of precipitation. [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 — Nov 18, 2024.
Here is what’s going on Tuesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect partly sunny skies with a high of around 63 and light winds shifting to the southeast at 6 mph in the afternoon. Tuesday night brings a slight chance of showers, mostly cloudy conditions, and a low of about 51 with light southeast winds; there’s a 20% chance of precipitation. See more from Weather.gov.
“I hear I and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”
– Confucius
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.
*Mamistad Groups meet IN PERSON-only the introductory Zoom call is virtual. :)
Pregnancy and new mom groups are a lifesaver when it comes to normalizing those feelings we just can’t be prepared for.
Five members of the Yorktown Patriots were selected to the all-6D North Region girls field-hockey teams for their performances during the high-school season.
Senior Elena Reiser, with 14 goals, nine assists and 60 shots taken through 20 matches, was selected as the Player of the Year and to the first team. Also making first team were senior Olivia Stafford, who had 18 goals and nine assists through 20 matches, and senior Quincy Greene, with 11 goals and four assists.
The fieldhouse at Meridian High School Stadium will receive a $600,000 refresh and upgrade under a proposal unanimously approved by Falls Church City School Board members on Nov. 12.
The appropriation was part of a series of one-time-funding requests approved by School Board members, totaling just under $1.5 million in school funds and $400,000 in city-government funds.
A man was carjacked Friday night in the Barcroft neighborhood.
The suspects include at least one person the victim knows, according to Arlington County police. The car was later found abandoned in the Rosslyn area.
By OLIVIA DIAZ Associated Press/Report for America
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican who has embraced prosecutions against election fraud and other conservative causes, said Monday that he will seek reelection next year, dispelling speculation of a potential gubernatorial bid.
Arlington leaders have taken the last procedural step required to begin the culling of deer on public land across the county.
County Board members on Saturday (Nov. 16) voted 5-0 for zoning-ordinance changes that will permit sharpshooters to begin dealing with what Arlington officials say is an overpopulation of deer.
