A food truck serving Guatemalan cuisine out of Virginia Square’s Oakland Park opened for business earlier this month.
Parked near the intersection of N. Oakland Street and Wilson Blvd, Portal Maya has hopes to be the community’s “entryway to the Mayan world,” owner and founder Bayron Cisneros told ARLnow.
Arlington’s premier jazz festival is returning next month, at a venue now set to receive major renovations in coming years.
The 32nd Rosslyn Jazz Fest will take place on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Gateway Park. Featuring acts such as the two-time Grammy winner Ranky Tanky and El Laberinto Del Coco, which recently starred on NPR’s Tiny Desk series, the event promises an afternoon full of soulful grooves and lively heavy-hitters from 1-7 p.m.
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
Spotted: Rosslyn at DNC — A photo of Rosslyn’s skyline was used as a backdrop at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, as pointed out on social media by the Arlington County Democratic Committee. [Twitter]
Flyover Planned Today — From AlertDC: “MPD reports there will be an Italian Air Force flyover in the NCR, over Washington, DC, on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 4:30 PM. The units will deploy red, white, and green smoke during its flight route.”
W&OD Trail Narrowed — “Be alert for a narrowing trail and trail striping work at Sparrow Pond in Arlington, as the restoration project there nears completion.” [Twitter]
Time Capsule Found in Cathedral — “When the construction crew began renovations at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, they expected to find nothing more than dust and rubble behind the cathedral’s walls. Instead, they discovered a time capsule. Four months later, on the 50th anniversary of the Arlington diocese’s establishment, it was restored, with new items added Aug. 13 for a new generation to ponder.” [Arlington Catholic Herald]
Interview with Ellie Bird Chef — “If watching #TheBearFX left you curious about the inner workings of an award-winning family restaurant, read our interview with local chef Yuan Tang, who co-owns #EllieBird in Falls Church with his wife, Carey. Here’s how he keeps his menu fresh and fun.” [Arlington Magazine, Twitter]
Free Coffee in Rosslyn — “Grab a free coffee at #UpsideOnMoore’s Lightning Coffee as part of #NationalCoffeeMonth! Show the barista that you’re following Upside on Moore on Instagram to redeem your cup through August (Limit one per person, Monday-Friday from 7AM-5PM)” [Twitter]
A Look at Housing at N. Va. — “On just over 70% of the developable land in Northern Virginia, there’s only one thing you can build: a single-family detached house. That’s the lead finding of research into the region’s zoning restrictions from a group of scholars at George Mason University’s Mercatus Center.” [WAMU]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny conditions with a high near 76 degrees and a northwest wind blowing at 7 to 11 mph. As for Wednesday night, it will be mostly clear with a low around 57 degrees and a gentle north wind at 3 to 5 mph. [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 — Aug 20, 2024.
Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect sunny conditions with a high near 76 degrees and a northwest wind blowing at 7 to 11 mph. As for Wednesday night, it will be mostly clear with a low around 57 degrees and a gentle north wind at 3 to 5 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
“Success does not consist in never making mistakes but in never making the same one a second time.”
– George Bernard Shaw
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.
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.
Arlington is collecting feedback on proposed renovations at Douglas Park, a month after the County Board approved a 0.31-acre expansion of the recreation area.
Renovation plans at the five-acre park — in the neighborhood of the same name — call for replacing a wooden pedestrian bridge, a picnic shelter and site furnishings including picnic tables, park benches and waste bins. The project also aims to upgrade walking paths, improve stormwater management and remove invasive plants.
August has been a busy month for police responding to vehicle thefts at rental car lots in the Crystal City area.
Another such incident — at least the third this month and the fourth this summer — was reported over the weekend. It happened at the same Avis and Budget lot on the 2600 block of Richmond Highway as an armed carjacking on Aug. 1.
Though Summer Restaurant Week has now come to a close, some restaurants in Arlington and Falls Church are continuing the deals for a little longer.
Sabores Tapas on Columbia Pike, SER in Ballston and The Falls in Falls Church are among several businesses in the area to extend discounts on multi-course brunch, lunch and dinner menus past the official end of Restaurant Week last weekend.
An eatery offering fresh poké, bento boxes, sushi rolls and taiyaki waffles has opened its first Arlington location.
Fat Fish Rolls & Twists held a grand opening last week for its new kiosk at Water Park in Crystal City (1601 Crystal Drive). Executive Chef Robert Lucas Irwin told ARLnow it was a “really good weekend” for the restaurant that serves “a little bit of everything.”
New plans for a 276-unit apartment building are the latest and largest of three Langston Blvd proposals to enter the pipeline in recent months.
A site plan application filed last week would replace the longstanding Walgreens at 3130 Langston Blvd with a 12-story tower containing some 353,000 square feet of retail and residential space. This follows two other proposals along the corridor, including a 94-unit building at 1501 Langston Blvd.
