From curbside pickups to ridesharing services and Amazon Prime deliveries, drivers making quick trips through neighborhoods or to local businesses have become increasingly commonplace in Fairfax County.
However, the county still doesn’t have any regulations around short-term parking, even after it adopted new parking rules in 2023, its first comprehensive update in 35 years.
Construction is progressing on a new townhome neighborhood near the Vantage Hill Condominiums in Reston.
Two buildings containing the first seven of 28 houses planned in The Fairland at Vantage Hill are on track to be completed this summer, likely in July or August, according to Craftmark Homes sales manager Lori Windsor.
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
Fairfax City Council members voted unanimously Tuesday night (April 28) to move forward with a plan for construction of a combined $127.2 million Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center.
The city government will cover about $54 million in construction costs, with the Fairfax County government paying the rest. The two will also split operating costs once the facility opens, based on usage rates.
Three-Story Home Addition Blocked — “A controversial three-story home addition that sparked backlash in a Fairfax County neighborhood will not move forward as planned after a zoning board denied the homeowner’s appeal.” Complaints about the project prompted county leaders to revisit their height restrictions for single-family houses. [DC News Now]
New Laws Regulate Rideshare Safety — “A change to how Virginia screens rideshare drivers will take effect this summer after Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed two bills tightening background check and identity requirements for companies such as Uber and Lyft. The new rules take effect July 1.” [The Center Square/Inside NoVA]
Redistricting Vote Certification Still on Hold — “Virginia’s top court on Tuesday left in place a county judge’s order temporarily blocking the state from certifying the results of last week’s referendum, when voters approved a new Democratic-drawn congressional map aimed at flipping four Republican U.S. House seats.” [Reuters]
Dominion Energy Bill Awaits Signature — “A bill backed by Virginia’s largest and most powerful electric utility is on Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk for final action after the legislature rejected some of her cost-saving suggestions. The legislation … would assign certain electric grid upgrade costs to data centers and allow Dominion Energy to spend $900,000 a mile burying local distribution lines.” [Inside Climate News]
House Seeks New Rules for Data Center Tax Break — While state Senate leaders are advocating for an elimination of Virginia’s sales and use tax exemption for data centers, a spending plan proposed by the House of Delegates would condition the exemption on new environmental standards, including a commitment to energy efficiency and a prohibition on co-locations with carbon-emitting power facilities. [Virginia Mercury]
Furniture Store Opens in Bailey’s Crossroads — “Regency Furniture opened April 25 in the space formerly occupied by Value City Furniture in Bailey’s Crossroads … Regency Furniture has a wide selection of sofas, loveseats, chairs, bedroom sets, coffee tables, dining sets, office furnishings, and décor accessories.” [Annandale Today]
Over 22K Pounds of Food Collected for Students — “A Food For Neighbors Red Bag collection in Fairfax County brought in about 22,300 pounds of food Saturday during the nonprofit’s final event of the school year, according to the organization … The group said the food from Saturday’s event was especially important because it was the last Red Bag collection of the school year.” [Patch]
Anti-Distracted Driving Demo in McLean — “McLean HS in Fairfax partnered with Virginia State Police for a distracted driving awareness event. Students saw firsthand the dangers of distracted driving and the importance of safe choices behind the wheel.” [Virginia State Police/X]
It’s Thursday — It will be mostly sunny with a high near 67°F and a northwest wind blowing at about 15 mph, with gusts reaching up to 25 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 44°F and a lighter northwest wind at 7 to 10 mph. [NWS]
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The George Mason Friends will hold their semi-annual Fall Book Sale at George Mason Regional Library, 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale from Wednesday evening, September 23 through Sunday, September 27, 2026.
A Preview Sale will be held on Wednesday evening from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm for a $20 entry fee per adult. A no entry fee, General Sale, will begin on Thursday, September 23 and run through Sunday, September 27, with hours 10:00 am to 5:30 pm daily.
Good Wednesday evening, Fairfax County. 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 29, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Thursday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Expect mostly sunny skies with a high of 67°F and a northwest wind blowing at 14 mph, with gusts reaching up to 25 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 44°F and a northwest wind between 7 to 10 mph, with gusts up to 18 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
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.
A man has been taken to the hospital with serious injuries following a crash on Ox Road (Route 123) near the Crosspointe Fire Station in Lorton.
Police officers and units with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were dispatched to Ox Road at Hampton Station Court just after 4 p.m. today (Wednesday) for a single-vehicle crash.
The McLean Project for the Arts will celebrate the realization of its anticipated downtown expansion with a tribute to the power of the abstract.
The late abstract painter Yasmine C. Iskander will headline the inaugural exhibition at the MPA Berlage Arts and Education Center, which is set to open at 6910 Fleetwood Road with an 11 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony tomorrow (Thursday).
Apartment rents dipped year over year across most of Fairfax County in April, according to new data.
Seven of eight different geographic corridors of the county posted declines of between 0.8% and 2.9%, according to figures reported yesterday (Tuesday) by Apartment List.
The end is within sight for Fairfax County’s nearly decade-long push to convert all streetlights to more energy efficient LED fixtures.
Dominion Energy, which owns, operates and maintains about 96% of the county’s 60,000 streetlights, has upgraded approximately 93% or 52,100 of them to LED, as of March, the county announced earlier this week.
