Around Town

Arlington’s second Citibank branch is scheduled to open in Clarendon by the end of the year.

“Coming soon” signs will appear later this week in the windows at 2879 Clarendon Blvd, signaling the upcoming arrival of the bank’s first new D.C.-area branch in more than a decade, a spokesperson told ARLnow.


News

After a few months of construction, three intersections of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail in Falls Church have new all-way stops.

These stops are now in place at the intersections of Little Falls Street, N. Oak Street and N. Spring Street. They were added in a collaboration with NOVA Parks to increase safety, according to an email announcement from the city.


Sponsored

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.

1. Trying to Write a Will Without Legal Guidance

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.

2. Forgetting to Update Your Will

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.

3. Overlooking Federal Estate Tax Planning

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.

4. Not Planning for Minor Children

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.

5. Choosing the Wrong Executor—or Not Naming One at All

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.

Don’t Forget the Rest of Your Estate Plan

A will is only one part of a comprehensive estate plan. Depending on your circumstances, you may also benefit from:

  • A revocable living trust
  • A durable power of attorney
  • An advance medical directive
  • A transfer-on-death deed for your home

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.

The Bottom Line

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.

PJI Law, PLC: Estate Planning Attorneys in Fairfax, VA

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


News

BY OLIVIA DIAZ and BRIAN WITTE Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Worries of being uprooted from their jobs have returned for Laura Dodson and other federal workers, who have long been the economic backbone of the nation’s capital and its suburbs.


Opinion

Signs of fall abound around Arlington.

Oktoberfest beers and pumpkin spice lattes have been on offer at local stores and cafes for a little while now. Kids are back in school and fall sports are underway. The weather has turned cooler following long stretches of blast furnace heat. We’re now past Labor Day, considered the unofficial end of summer. Most summer vacations have ended and many commutes are getting longer. And, technically, it is now meteorological fall.

On the other hand, there are also signs that summer is hanging on.

The traditional Labor Day closure of many local pools has been pushed back by a week or two. Some folks are still on their Labor Day vacations. The NFL regular season has not started yet. Temperatures in the 80s are expected this week. Astronomical fall doesn’t start until Sept. 22. And, typically, ARLnow’s daily readership does not recover from its summer doldrums until the week after Labor Day (this is also true about rush hour traffic, which will get worse next week.)

Given these contrasting signals, we’re wondering whether our readers consider us now to be in the fall season — or if it comes later.


Event

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.


News
Capitol Hill and the Pentagon, seen through construction fencing along Columbia Pike (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Video: Police Response at Mall — Video posted on social media shows heavily armed police officers in the Pentagon City mall after a smash-and-grab robbery that some 911 callers initially mistook for an active shooter incident. [Twitter]

Another Pentagon City Incident — From Dave Statter: “[Arlington police] officers believe a person in the blue car had just escaped from security at Target two blocks back on Army-Navy Drive. One of many shoplifters who frequent the store. The goods were left behind but not before the suspect apparently claimed he had a gun. The driver took off when officers approached. With no verified weapon or robbery the pursuit was ended as the car sped into DC.” [Twitter]

Trump Response to Cemetery Controversy — “Donald Trump’s campaign issued a statement Sunday from the Gold Star military families who invited him to Arlington National Cemetery as they defended the Republican presidential nominee and insisted that Vice President Kamala Harris is the candidate politicizing fallen U.S. service members.” [Associated Press]

Road Closures for Upcoming 5K — “The 22nd Annual Arlington Police, Fire, Sheriff, & ECC 9/11 Memorial 5k race will take place on the evening of Saturday, September 7, 2024. The Arlington County Police Department will close the following roadways around the Pentagon and in Crystal City to accommodate the event.” [ACPD]

New CEO for Arlington Company — “Matt Hulett, the former president of language learning mainstay Rosetta Stone Inc., has been tapped as the new CEO of Arlington online education firm StraighterLine Inc. Hulett replaces Heather Combs as StraighterLine’s chief exec. Combs left StraighterLine in January, according to her LinkedIn profile, and is today the CEO of Ripple, a crew optimization platform for the maritime industry.” [Washington Business Journal]

High School Football Kicks Off — “It took an extra day – because storms postponed their opening game – but the Yorktown Patriots began the 2024 varsity football season Aug. 30 with a lopsided victory. Yorktown won comfortably on the road, defeating the Woodson Cavaliers, 44-27, in a non-district contest in Fairfax.” [Gazette Leader]

It’s Tuesday — Expect sunshine and a high near 75, accompanied by a gentle 6-8 mph northeast wind. As nighttime falls on Tuesday, watch for increasing clouds and a low around 56. [NWS]


News

Police are investigating gunfire in the Arlington View neighborhood, along Columbia Pike.

The shots were fired just before 2 p.m. along the 1200 block of S. Ross Street, near the Trove Apartments and the edge of Army Navy Country Club. There are no reports of anyone or anything being struck by the gunfire, though initial reports suggest that the shooting might have targeted at least one person who later talked with police.


News

A robbery at the Pentagon City mall Sunday afternoon caused a panic that sent shoppers fleeing and prompted a massive police response.

The incident started around 3:30 p.m. after Arlington County police received multiple reports of shots fired and smoke seen inside the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. Arriving officers found people running from the mall and broken glass in front of the Tourneau watch and jewelry store.


Around Town

Good Friday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Aug 30, 2024.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. NEW: Man armed with rifle robbed people of watches in Pentagon City (15028 views)
  2. Arlington man, 22, killed in Sterling double homicide ‘never held a grudge’ (14597 views)
  3. Bikers swarm Arlington, rumbling past startled Rosslyn restaurant patrons (13701 views)
  4. NEW: Donald Trump makes stops at Arlington National Cemetery and Eden Center (13419 views)
  5. After 56 years in business, a film and camera shop in Falls Church is closing (12134 views)
  6. Fire in strip mall prompts Glebe Road closure (9756 views)
  7. Driver cited after striking teen near Washington-Liberty HS (7832 views)
  8. Falls Church Festival, now in 48th year, returns next month (7027 views)
  9. Photos: Arlington crowds deliver hero’s welcome to Olympic gold medalist Torri Huske (6545 views)
  10. Yorktown High School alumna earns prestigious public service scholarship (6364 views)
  11. RNC hosts event in Clarendon to train volunteer voter fraud lookouts (5397 views)
  12. ACPD: Two officers injured by theft suspect in Pentagon City (4501 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Saturday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

🌦️ Saturday’s forecast

Patchy drizzle expected before 10am, followed by possible showers after 5pm and fog before 9am. Gradual clearing to mostly sunny skies with a high near 87 and a south wind at 3-7 mph. The evening brings a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms, primarily between 8pm and 5am, with mostly cloudy conditions and a low around 72. South wind will be around 6 mph before becoming light and variable after midnight. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The only thing standing between you and your goal is the story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it.”
– Jordan Belfort

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

We hope you have a great weekend, Arlington! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋