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Alexandria City Public Schools will give “thoughtful consideration and review” in upcoming meetings on Governor Glenn Youngkin’s recent executive order banning cell phones in public schools.
Youngkin issued Executive Order 33 earlier this week, directing the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to create guidance for school systems across the state to “adopt local policies and procedures establishing cell phone-free education.”
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Many people who look into estate planning ask, “What is the difference between wills and trusts?” While both wills and trusts deal with estate planning, they serve different purposes. In this post, the legal team of PJI Law, PLC, estate planning lawyers from Fairfax, VA, outline the key principles of wills, trusts, and their role in asset protection.
Wills and Trusts in a Nutshell
Here are the basic features of wills and trusts:
A Will
- Only comes into effect once the will maker is deceased
- States who will receive the decedent’s assets
- Appoints an executor to carry out the decedent’s wishes
- Is potentially contestable and must go through probate, a legal examination by the court
A Trust
- Can take effect immediately after its creation
- Allows a person or an institution (a “trustee”) to hold assets for beneficiaries
- Can distribute property before or after the trustor’s passing
- Can be irrevocable or revocable/changeable
- Assets in trust generally avoid probate
While we recommend that everyone have at least a will (whether or not you also have a trust), trusts aren’t strictly necessary for all individuals. Trusts are particularly helpful for individuals who have assets that are potentially going through probate, own property across several states, or have minor children.
Wills: the Basics of Estate Planning
A will, also known as a last will and testament, is a legal document specifying how the will maker wishes to handle asset distribution and other affairs after their death. A will typically includes all of the principal’s assets, such as real estate, vehicles, and other property, and usually a list of debts. A will may also provide directions for a funeral or memorial service.
Usually, every will must go through a probate court before execution. In some states, it may be possible to avoid probate under specific conditions. Certain assets, such as insurance policies and retirement accounts, may, if planned properly, pass directly to named beneficiaries without probate. (more…)
The parks along Alexandria’s waterfront will be getting an upgrade to LED this fall.
In a memo to the Parks and Recreation Commission, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Deputy Director Jack Browand said the lights in Rivergate Park, Oronoco Bay Park, Founders Park, Waterfront Park, and Roberdeau Park will all be converted to LEDs this fall.
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Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!
🌤️ Today’s weather: Expect mostly sunny skies and a high around 91 degrees, accompanied by a west wind of 8-10 mph. Thursday night brings a 50% chance of showers, with mostly cloudy conditions and a low temperature of 73 degrees. The north wind will be at 6 mph, becoming calm in the evening.
Come celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s War for Independence with renowned music historians David & Ginger Hildebrand for performances of special period music. The Hildebrands will don period attire to discuss and perform music associated with Alexandria’s sister cities: Caen, France; Dundee, Scotland; Helsingborg, Sweden; and Gyumri, Armenia. Scottish music was especially influential in the American colonies, and once the French joined the Revolutionary cause there were musical celebrations for Generals LaFayette, Rochambeau and other French leaders. This concert event is part of the “Alexandria commemorates America’s 250” campaign. David & Ginger specialize in researching, recording, and performing early American music. Since 1980 they have presented concerts and educational programs throughout the country and abroad at museums, historic sites, schools and universities. Mount Vernon, The National Gallery of Art, The National Archives, and Colonial Williamsburg are among their many past sponsors.
Tickets are $20.
There’s a new boutique hotel on King Street in Old Town.
On Tuesday (July 9), Archer Hotel Old Town Alexandria officially took over operations at the 107-room hotel that was previously home to the Lorien Hotel & Spa (1600 King Street) for 15 years.
It’s been a week for weather alerts.
Alexandria and neighboring communities are under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 10 p.m. Alexandria is also under an Excessive Heat Warning for the second day in a row.
Four suspects arrested on Memorial Day after allegedly robbing a Virginia ABC store in the West End have been connected to 15 other liquor store thefts in Fairfax County totaling $72,000 in stolen merchandise.
Jomarice Jequan Evans, 27, was arrested with three juveniles after allegedly robbing a Virginia ABC store at 3161 Duke Street, fleeing in a stolen car and then crashing into multiple cars before being arrested on foot in Del Ray.
The Old Town North Harris Teeter could be sold and possibly rebranded if a new merger goes through.
The Washington Business Journal reported that Kroger Co. will be selling off multiple Harris Teeter locations, including one in Alexandria, if the acquisition of rival Albertsons Cos. Inc goes through.
Travel + Leisure readers still love Alexandria, but the city fell out of the top ten in this year’s Best in the U.S. ranking after multiple years among the elite.
Every year, the magazine hosts a World’s Best awards survey, with over 186,000 readers weighing in. The magazine said cities are rated on criteria like landmarks, culture, food and more.