A pair of traffic enforcement events will be happening in Arlington in coming days as part of a fall safety campaign.
The Arlington County Police Department has scheduled two “high-visibility traffic education and enforcement activations” in connection to the region-wide “Street Smart” campaign, including one tomorrow:
Santa Claus is coming to town, starting with photo sessions in Pentagon City this Friday.
Professional photos with Saint Nick will be available at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City through Christmas Eve (Dec. 24). Santa’s schedule varies this time of year, but he will be present for photos most weekdays from 2-7 p.m., with extended hours on weekends.
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 bullet was fired into a woman’s home just south of Columbia Pike, though it’s not clear who fired it.
The incident happened around 8 p.m. Monday on the 4500 block of S. Four Mile Run Drive. The woman heard a loud noise and called police after discovering a broken window and a damaged wall. Officers then found a bullet inside the home.
Some Arlington residents rescued a stray rabbit spotted along Wilson Blvd on Monday.
A local resident spotted the lost lagomorph outside of a CVS store in Virginia Square and posted about it on the Facebook group Arlington Neighbors Helping Each Other. Two other locals arrived not long after to help retrieve the rabbit and bring him to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA).
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.
ACPD Announces DUI Arrests — “On Saturday evening, officers conducted a DUI Saturation Patrol, a detail designed to make our roadways safer by identifying, stopping and apprehending drivers who are under the influence. During the detail, officers conducted 28 traffic stops which resulted in 4 DUI arrests, 1 Open Container arrest, 3 Reckless Driving summonses and issued 17 traffic summonses.” [Twitter]
Fmr. Airline Exec Dies in Arlington — “Ben Baldanza, who turned a small money-losing airline called Spirit into a profit-making powerhouse through a combination of ultralow prices, bare-bones service, outrageous marketing and a no-apologies approach to customer complaints, died on Tuesday at his home in Arlington, Va. He was 62.” [New York Times, Skift]
Bishop Talks Abortion Initiatives — “Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, who chairs the USCCB’s committee on pro-life activities, told Catholic broadcast company EWTN last week that his committee will discuss the election results, particularly state ballot initiatives where the anti-abortion movement has a losing record.” [Associated Press]
Amazon Office Return Causes Stir — “Amazon CEO Andy Jassy reportedly told employees last week that the company’s stricter return-to-office policy was not put in place as a way to ‘backdoor fire’ employees. At an all-hands meeting on Nov. 5 Jassy told employees that the company’s new five-day-a-week policy for corporate employees was aimed at improving company culture… The headcount at its HQ2 in Pentagon City totaled 8,000 as of the start of the year.” [WBJ]
New Nature Center Hours — Arlington’s two nature centers, Long Branch and Gulf Branch, are now operating on their expanded operating hours. The new hours, which took effect yesterday, include weekday hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, Saturday hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday hours from 1-5 p.m. [ARLnow]
Fairfax Co. Cracking Down on Races — “Police Chief Kevin Davis and other officials warned at a press conference last week that those caught drag racing on Fairfax County streets will be found and prosecuted to the extent of the law. ‘This is not youthful indiscretion,’ Davis said. ‘This is a brazen street race that does, can, and will cost people their lives.'” [FFXnow]
Meager Local Snow Outlook — “There’s good news and bad news for snow fans in our Storm Team4 winter outlook. First, the bad news: It’s not looking like we’ll see all that many snowflakes this year. Now, here’s the good news (again, assuming you’re a fan of snow): We’re not ruling out the possibility of a white Christmas.” [NBC 4]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 52 with a north wind at 7 mph, shifting to an eastward direction in the afternoon. As night falls, the sky will become mostly cloudy and temperatures will drop to around 37 degrees. [NWS]
Good Tuesday 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 12, 2024.
Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect sunny skies and a high near 52 with a north wind at 7 mph, shifting to an eastward direction in the afternoon. As night falls, the sky will become mostly cloudy and temperatures will drop to around 37 degrees. The calm wind will transition to an easterly direction at 5 mph after midnight. See more from Weather.gov.
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”
– Theodore Roosevelt
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.
After a disappointing runner-up finish in conference-tournament action, the Bishop O’Connell Knights bounced back.
The girls high-school team and second seed ended its season by winning the four-team Northern Virginia Independent Schools State Invitational with a 2-0 record.
Arlington resident Craig Esherick last month became a Hall of Famer at his high school alma mater, Springbrook High School in Silver Spring.
During an Oct. 19 dinner ceremony at Argyle Country Club, the former Georgetown University head men’s basketball coach (and former player) and longtime local resident was one of nine inductees, selected for his prowess in boys basketball at Springbrook.
A Clarendon couple’s search for a new home for their growing family will be featured on “House Hunters” tomorrow (Wednesday).
Alexa McGuire, a pediatric health care salesperson, and Mike McGuire, a business consultant, lived in their Clarendon condo on N. Highland Street for five years before going on the HGTV show. One of their main reasons for moving, the couple told ARLnow, was needing more space.
