It’s Memorial Day weekend!
Alexandria is commemorating the holiday with new plaques dedicated to locals who died in the Vietnam War.
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After briefly shutting down a City Council meeting earlier this month, a group of pro-Palestine residents protested a gala headlined by Sen. Tim Kaine in Old Town.
Outside of the Alexandria Democratic Committee’s fundraiser gala at the Torpedo Factory Art Center Wednesday night, members of Alexandria for Palestinian Human Rights chanted for lawmakers inside to publicly support a ceasefire resolution in Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas.
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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 Alexandria Fire Department is responding to a suspected gas leak at The Majestic restaurant at 911 King Street in Old Town.
Upper King Street — west of the intersection with Alfred Street — is shut down as multiple AFD fire engines and an ambulance attend to the scene.
Alexandria is kicking off Pride Month in June with a Pride Fair on June 1.
The event will feature live music, food trucks and activities from 3-6 p.m. at Market Square (301 King Street). The event will include a Drag Story Hour at 3:30 inside City Hall.
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.
It’s a busy Memorial Day weekend coming up, but if you aren’t registered to vote in the upcoming primary, be aware that this coming Tuesday is the last day that you can register in advance.
The primary is scheduled for June 18. In Alexandria, the main attraction is likely the contested Democratic primary for Mayor and City Council.
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Good Friday morning, Alexandria!
⛅️ Today’s weather: There is a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, with patchy fog before 8am. The day will become mostly sunny with a high of 83 and light north wind. Friday evening will be partly cloudy with a low of 66, a light south wind, and a 20% chance of showers after 2am.
Here in Alexandria, real estate is a spectator sport. Let’s take a look at some of the smallest and largest homes sold last month (April 2024).
Largest homes sold
After years of playing together in Del Ray, “Sorry” is calling it quits with a final blowout performance.
Why the split? The band hasn’t fallen prey to familiar rock star pitfalls. Instead, its members are going to college, and like dozens of other bands with Rock of Ages Music (ROAM) school will commemorate the end of the spring program with a pair of concerts in May and June.
An amendment to the Business Improvement District (BID) guidelines that could make it easier to pass is headed to City Council for review next week.
The idea behind a BID is that it would be an organization that could advocate and host programs and events that would draw people to the relevant area as well as providing other services.