While accumulations are limited, today’s snowfall was substantial enough to convince Fairfax County Public Schools to delay classes tomorrow (Tuesday).
All schools and central offices will open two hours late tomorrow after the National Weather Service issued an advisory warning of potentially challenging travel conditions during the morning rush hour.
Two people have been hospitalized following a multi-vehicle crash on Route 29 in the Legato area of Fair Oaks.
Fairfax County police officers, firefighters and medics were dispatched to Route 29 at Piney Branch Road around 4:15 p.m. today (Monday) for a reported crash involving three to four vehicles, according to scanner traffic.
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
After approving new school attendance zone boundaries in January, the Fairfax County School Board opted to provide bus transportation to affected high school students, but not their elementary and middle school counterparts.
The school board voted 7-4 last Thursday (Feb. 26) to approve bus transportation for Fairfax County Public Schools high school students who have been drawn into new school boundaries but are eligible to remain in their current school.
A pedestrian struck by a driver on John Marr Drive in Annandale this weekend has died, police say.
Sun Hyo Kim, a 56-year-old woman from Annandale, was crossing John Marr Drive from south to north when the driver of a BMW struck her between Ravensworth Road and Backlick Road around 5:37 p.m. on Saturday (Feb. 28), according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
*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.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission gave its support last week to an updated Reston Station sign plan — on the condition that developer Comstock Companies reduce the brightness of two digital installations.
Among the signs deemed problematic is a screen identifying the JW Marriott Hotel and Residences that wraps around the southeastern corner of the 26-story building’s roof at 11350 Reston Station Blvd.
Fairfax County students again dominated in the 2026 Virginia Aviation Art Competition, sponsored by the Virginia Department of Aviation.
Students from the county won first place in all three age categories and won seven of nine overall awards in the competition, whose theme this year was “Fly to Save Lives.”
Rising education and debt-service costs and the desire to retain a competitive pay scale have contributed to a proposed 4.5% increase in the City of Fairfax’s budget.
City Manager Daniel Alexander detailed a $207.5 million fiscal 2027 year spending package on Feb. 24 that includes a host of tax increases but no new or expanded programming.
A gym in Kings Park West will close later this spring, but apparently not by choice.
Operating since 2017, Anytime Fitness will shutter at the Twinbrooke Shopping Center in April as the result of a conflict with Federal Realty, which owns the property, gym owner Brian Samuel told FFXnow.
Housing will soon rise on a vacant lot in Merrifield where an office building had stood for over four decades.
Elm Street Development broke ground at the end of 2025 on its upcoming apartment building at 2722 Merrilee Drive, nearly five years after the project was approved to replace the 1980s-era Dunn Loring Center.
