The latest site plan for one of the last undeveloped areas of the Alexandria waterfront—Robinson Terminal North—envisions restaurants, retail, apartments, expanded open space, and even a hotel.
The Planning Commission will review a development special use permit (DSUP) proposal and site plan for the former industrial site in Old Town North on May 6 (Tuesday).
On Saturday, April 26, five of Old Town Alexandria's most historic private homes and gardens will welcome visitors as part of Virginia's 92nd annual Historic Garden Week.
Among the featured homes and gardens in Alexandria is the Michael Swope House (210 Princes Street), the oldest home on the tour, built between 1784 and 1786 for Michael Swope, a Revolutionary War hero. Other properties include 111 Prince Street, 127 Prince Street, 415 Wolfe Street, and 212 South Saint Asaph Street.
"This year’s tour, organized by the Garden Club of Alexandria and Hunting Creek Garden Club, will highlight remarkable historic restorations, architectural treasures, and stunning floral arrangements, all while offering a captivating glimpse into the history and elegance of Old Town Alexandria," shared Amy Moyer, Publicity Chair for Historic Garden Week 2025.
When a loved one passes away, families often face difficult decisions about funeral arrangements, finances, and the distribution of property. One common question is whether having a will automatically means the estate must go through probate.
Not necessarily. Whether probate is required in Virginia depends largely on how the deceased person’s assets were owned and whether those assets have another method of transferring to heirs or beneficiaries.
Understanding when probate is required—and when it can be avoided—can help families navigate estate administration with greater confidence.
Probate is the legal process used to administer certain assets belonging to a deceased person, or decedent. In Virginia, probate generally takes place through the circuit court in the city or county where the decedent lived.
When probate is necessary, the court recognizes the will, if there is one, and appoints a personal representative to handle the estate. The personal representative is responsible for identifying and collecting assets, addressing valid debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining property according to the will or Virginia’s intestacy laws.
Importantly, having a will does not automatically mean every asset must pass through probate. A will generally controls probate assets, while certain property passes directly to another person through ownership arrangements or beneficiary designations.
Probate is generally necessary when someone dies owning assets in their individual name that do not have another method of transferring ownership.
Examples can include:
In these situations, probate may be necessary to give the personal representative authority to transfer or distribute the property.
Some assets can transfer automatically after death and therefore may not need to pass through probate.
Jointly owned property: Assets held jointly with rights of survivorship generally pass to the surviving owner.
Beneficiary-designated accounts: Life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and certain bank accounts can pass directly to the beneficiaries named on the account.
Revocable living trusts: Assets properly transferred into a revocable living trust generally avoid probate because the trust owns the property rather than the deceased individual.
Virginia also provides a simplified option for certain small estates. Under Va. Code § 64.2-601, qualifying personal property valued at $75,000 or less may be transferred using a small estate affidavit rather than a full probate proceeding, provided the statutory requirements are satisfied.
This simplified procedure applies to qualifying personal property, not real estate, and can be particularly useful when an estate consists of modest assets such as a bank account or vehicle.
When probate is necessary, the personal representative must complete several steps before the estate can be closed. These typically include identifying and valuing estate assets, filing the required inventory, addressing creditor claims and taxes, and distributing assets to beneficiaries.
Virginia also imposes deadlines for certain estate filings. The inventory generally must be filed within four months after qualification, while the first accounting is generally due within 16 months.
Goodwin Living, a senior care organization based in Alexandria, is joining forces with Forest Hills of DC (FHDC), a nonprofit senior living provider in Washington, D.C.
While FHDC will keep its separate corporate status, it’s getting a new name: “Forest Hills of DC by Goodwin Living.”
First off, thank you for following us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and X. (And if you don’t already, you know what to do.)
When you subscribe, you’ll get the latest headlines delivered to your inbox each afternoon. Think of it as your free digital newspaper. You’ll never miss out on local happenings.
High school students from across the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region are invited to participate in Dialogue for Democracy at George Mason University!
Hosted by the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, this event offers high school students an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about democracy, civic engagement, and the importance of understanding different perspectives.
Amidst a number of recent proposals for new apartment buildings in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood, the developer of a previously approved large senior living project on Eisenhower Avenue is asking the city for a three-year extension for its construction.
On May 6, Carlyle Plaza LLC is asking the Planning Commission for a three year extension of its previously approved special use permit (SUP) for construction of The John Carlyle Center Health and Wellness, a 225-unit residential building for the elderly and office building at 1900 Eisenhower Avenue and 765-789 John Carlyle Street.
Good Thursday morning, Alexandria! ☀️ Today’s weather: Patchy drizzle before 11 a.m. Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 59 degrees. Northeast wind 7 to 9 […]
In the market for a pristine Fender guitar? There are two for sale at rock-bottom prices at the upcoming MV Big Flea, an annual fundraiser and community yard sale for the Mount Vernon Community School in Del Ray.
The annual flea market is back on April 26 (Saturday) in the gym of Mount Vernon Recreation Center (2701 Commonwealth Avenue). Organizers have been gathering donated treasures at the Del Ray Farmers’ Market and have several nearby storage units filled to capacity.
A 41-year-old El Salvadoran woman convicted in 2020 of misdemeanor assault, was arrested Feb. 25 by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Roxana Beatriz Ayala-Duran was found guilty in the Alexandria General District Court of misdemeanor assault, with 30 days in prison suspended. She also had unsupervised probation, according to court records.
A rapturous applause followed after a James K. Polk Elementary School teacher was officially named the Virginia Regional Teacher of the Year.
In front of an assembly of third graders, teacher Sharon Phox was presented the honor by Lisa Coons, Virginia’s superintendent for public instruction, as well as Alexandria City Public Schools leadership and her family.
