More county staff will be deployed on weekends to keep the nightlife scene in Clarendon lively for patrons while more proactively addressing concerns of those who live nearby.
Upcoming efforts likely will include having code-enforcement and fire-marshal personnel on hand to immediately respond to issues that arise, officials say.
An ongoing lack of rain — three weeks and counting — combined with westerly winds will present a fire danger on Thursday.
Forecasters say the brush fires could spread quickly given the expected conditions tomorrow. Residents are being asked to carefully dispose of flammable items like cigarette butts and matches — and even to keep cars off of dry grass.
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
The last weekend to enjoy fresh pizza and drinks from a new restaurant on the Potomac River is coming up.
Catboat Pizza Bar’s last planned day of service is this Saturday, co-owner Max Zuckerman told ARLnow. The seasonal waterfront pizzeria first opened on Memorial Day weekend at 1 Marina Drive in Alexandria, with spacious, all-outdoor seating and views from the Washington Sailing Marina.
Arlington and Falls Church have once again ranked as some of the most livable communities in the nation.
The ratings in the new AARP Livability Index, both good and bad, largely track with the findings of an ongoing Arlington County study into what residents value.
*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.
An arrest has been made in connection to the after-hours theft of more than 25 cellphones from a store in the Lee-Harrison Shopping Center.
A 25-year-old suspect was apprehended yesterday (Tuesday) as police executed a search warrant, police said. It happened at a house on N. Florida Street, in the Yorktown neighborhood, less than half a mile from the electronics store he is accused of burglarizing earlier this month, a witness told ARLnow.
A man allegedly exposed himself in the women’s locker room at the Washington-Liberty High School pool Monday night.
The incident happened around 6:45 p.m. but was not reported until two hours later. The pool is open to the public during that time, outside of school hours.
A Hawaiian-themed coffee shop with an eye-catching name is aiming for a November opening in Virginia Square.
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii is preparing to open in the former Dunkin’ Donuts space at 3701 N. Fairfax Drive, with final inspections scheduled in coming weeks, franchise owners Richard and Michelle Lee told ARLnow. The husband-wife duo also owns a Bad Ass Coffee in Alexandria.
Equality Group ‘Concerned’ About Candidate — “Equality Arlington is concerned by recent statements from Arlington School Board candidate, James ‘Vell’ Rives, regarding his anti-LGBTQ+ policy positions. In Rives’s responses to a questionnaire from parents of transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive students in Arlington Public Schools (APS), Rives repeatedly states that APS should follow the Youngkin Administration’s 2023 Model Policies.” [Equality Arlington]
CNN Talks to Arlington GOP — “Matthew Hurtt, the chairman of Virginia-based Arlington County Republican Committee, said he has fielded more than 200 calls and emails from frustrated donors located all over the country… Hurtt is not affiliated with WinRed, but said he receives the angry inquiries because WinRed is registered in Arlington, so charges made through the platform can sometimes show up with ‘Arlington’ on credit card statements.” [CNN]
Arlington NAACP Taps Incoming President — Rev. DeLishia Davis, senior pastor at Calloway United Methodist Church, will serve as president of the Arlington NAACP for 2025-26. She was the lone candidate for the post to emerge from the nomination process, with a formal vote slated for November. Rev. Davis will succeed Michael Hemminger, who has led the civil-rights organization since early 2023. –Scott McCaffrey
Keeping Eye on GW Parkway Trees — Arlington’s County Board chair said Tuesday that local leaders will maintain vigilance to ensure that recent cutting of mature trees along the George Washington Memorial Parkway does not resume without sufficient safeguards in place. “We just have to stay on top of it,” Libby Garvey said of interactions with National Park Service counterparts. –Scott McCaffrey
Honor for ACPD Sergeant — “Congratulations Sergeant Smithgall, an [International Association of Chiefs of Police] 40 Under 40 Awardee! This award recognizes rising leaders around the globe under the age of 40 in the policing profession, exemplifying leadership, dedication, and service to their communities.” [Twitter]
Nonprofit Director Profiled — “It’s hard to imagine anyone more fulfilled professionally or as a community member than Patti Klein, executive director of Rebuilding Together-AFF.org (RT-AFF), the ‘AFF’ referring to Arlington, Fairfax and Falls Church. Since 1996, Klein has served on the staff … of the nonprofit that ‘makes critical repairs at no charge for low-income homeowners and nonprofit organizations’ to ensure ‘safe and healthy’ living environments and ‘help seniors age in place.'” [Falls Church Independent]
Local Rainless Streak — “With a forecast for clear skies and dry weather through at least the next week, Washington is poised to clinch one of its longest streaks without measurable rain on record. The rainless streak hit 20 days Tuesday and will probably become one of the 10 longest ever observed.” [Capital Weather Gang]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny skies and a high of around 79 degrees with a south wind at 5 to 8 mph. As for Wednesday night, it will be mostly clear with a low near 54 degrees. The southwest wind will be blowing at 6 to 13 mph, transitioning to a northwest direction after midnight. [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 — Oct 22, 2024.
Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect sunny skies and a high of around 79 degrees with a south wind at 5 to 8 mph. As for Wednesday night, it will be mostly clear with a low near 54 degrees. The southwest wind will be blowing at 6 to 13 mph, transitioning to a northwest direction after midnight. See more from Weather.gov.
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”
– Albert Einstein
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.
