In case you didn’t know before reading this post, it’s spring break for Arlington Public Schools students.
Maybe you’ve noticed it’s not quite as busy on local roads and you weren’t sure why. Now you know: a combination of school being out and some subset of APS families leaving for a spring vacation.
New Pro-EHO Group — “Supporters of Arlington’s landmark Expanded Housing Options (EHO) zoning ordinance are celebrating the first anniversary of its approval on March 22, 2023, with the creation of a new community group, ArlingtonWINs (Arlingtonians for Welcoming and Inclusive Neighborhoods).” [Gazette Leader]
TV Station Takes On Towing — “7News witnessed 11 vehicles being towed over 10 days at the Giant Food. Many of those towed had drivers leave the property and walk down the block to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles… Virginia delegate Alfonso Lopez, who sponsored the Anti-Predatory Towing Act, had his vehicle towed by Advanced Towing and believes the new law will give Northern Virginia similar protection against predatory towing that’s available in the rest of the state.” [WJLA]
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
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 — Mar 25, 2024.
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An Alexandria man is facing a battery of charges after police say he tried to take an officer’s gun while being arrested for theft.
The incident happened around 6 p.m. this past Friday in the Courthouse area. The alleged shoplifting took place on the 2000 block of Clarendon Blvd, which includes a 7-Eleven and an Ace hardware store.
Join DC Road Runners and Potomac Valley Track Club for our annual Family Night at the Track and Meet of Miles. The event is open to runners of all ages and paces as well as nonmembers.
This event hosts 400 meter and 800 meter races for kids ages 1-8, as well as multiple 1-mile heats for participants of all ages. There is also a 3K race that is open to participants of all ages.
Roggenart Bistro & Café is now open in Ballston.
Located at 4401 Wilson Blvd, formerly the home of Republik Coffee Bar, the Maryland-based coffee shop launched with a soft opening two Saturdays ago. It is now gearing up for its grand opening on Thursday, April 4, according to store manager Nadia Id Lachguer.
A woman has been sentenced to 10 years behind bars for killing a man in the parking lot of an Arlington Burger King in 2022.
A judge on Friday sentenced 48-year-old April Puckett to seven years of imprisonment for second-degree murder and three years for using a firearm in commission of a felony. This was less than the maximum sentence of 13 years that Puckett agreed to when she pleaded guilty in November.
Here in Arlington, real estate is a spectator sport. Let’s take a look at some of the smallest and largest homes sold last month (February 2024).
Largest homes sold
Despite consistently receiving high marks from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Equality Arlington says Arlington County still has more work to do to improve services for LGBTQ residents.
Last week, the local LGBTQ nonprofit sent a letter to the Arlington County Board and County Manager, highlighting gaps in services, such as health care, workforce education and outreach, as revealed by the HRC Municipal Equality Index (MEI) — a scoring system used to rate a city’s inclusivity.
ARLnow’s now-former Assistant Managing Editor Jo DeVoe worked her last day here last week.
Throughout her nearly four year tenure here, Jo published nearly 1,500 articles, edited many others, and made periodic appearances on the Fox 5 “DMV Zone” newscast.
