A local group of woodwind musicians will perform at a literary festival next weekend in the English village of Arlington.
The Arlington Wind Quintet will travel to what’s described as “the most beautiful village in England” to perform at the Bibury Literary Festival from April 19-21. The five-person ensemble will perform early 20th-century classical music by British and Russian composers such as Vaughan Williams, Holst, Prokofiev, and other symphonists from the Edwardian era.
An Arlington service provider for survivors of abuse celebrated the opening of a new, expanded headquarters last week.
Doorways hosted a ribbon cutting at the Community Services Center at 671 N. Glebe Road, a space designed around the needs of people who have experienced domestic and sexual violence. The spacious, brightly lit office in a Ballston high rise is meant to create a more comfortable environment for people seeking Doorways services, as well as the nonprofit’s employees.
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
In some very limited circumstances, ARLnow has been using AI-generated images to illustrate stories.
The typical use case are stories around a concept for which specific imagery might cause problems or is simply unavailable. For instance, file photos we have on hand for real estate stories show for-sale signs with a specific agent’s name and phone number, as well as a specific house — which someone presumably now lives in and might not love being shown over and over.
Flyover Planned Today — From AlertDC: “The US Military will conduct a Flyover in the NCR at the Arlington National Cemetery, on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 11:00 AM.”
Library Projects Discussed — “County library director Diane Kresh used her April 2 budget work session with County Board members to sketch out proposals for two major projects – a library for Crystal City and relocation of the Columbia Pike branch. The former seemed to have a location decided on, but that plan didn’t work out, Kresh said. She was quick to add that options actively are being explored for the Crystal City facility.” [Gazette Leader]
*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.
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 — Apr 8, 2024.
Crowds gathered at Rosslyn’s Gateway Park today (Monday) to witness the partial solar eclipse.
The sky became noticeably darker as peak eclipse approached around 3:20 p.m. Scattered applause broke out from visitors donning eclipse glasses to watch the rare celestial event. Beyond Rosslyn, another public viewing was held at the GMU campus in Virginia Square.
Police are looking for a man who allegedly threatened to pull a gun on an animal control officer after being confronted over an off-leash dog.
The incident happened Saturday morning in the area of Marcey Road Park and Potomac Overlook Regional Park, in North Arlington.
Tuckahoe Elementary art teacher Nicole ‘Nikki’ Reed passed away “quietly and peacefully” surrounded by family and friends last month after an eight-month battle against a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer.
“Friends and Family, this is a post that we knew would come eventually, but we all thought we had more time. Our valiant fighter, Nikki, has taken the path of peace,” Janet Doyle wrote on her friend’s CaringBridge blog last month.
Compared to 2022, vehicle thefts are trending down in all Arlington zip codes except one: 22202.
Crystal City and Pentagon City have emerged as a vehicle theft hotspot in Arlington County, accounting for about half of all stolen cars so far this year.
