Kulas & Crawford Medicaid & Estate Planning Attorneys proudly serves the residents of Indian River County, Florida with comprehensive estate planning and elder law assistance. We work to assist our friends and neighbors throughout the county with the development of strategies that can help them protect their assets, grow wealth over time, prepare for incapacity, and manage planning for Medicaid eligibility and other long-term care needs. We understand the importance of asset security and sound planning for end-of-life and legacy concerns, and can ensure that you have the estate plan you need to properly care for your loved ones when you pass away. Residents in Indian River County know that they can rely on Kulas & Crawford, Medicaid & Estate Planning Attorneys to be there for all their estate and elder law needs.
Experienced Attorneys in Indian River County
Indian River County, Florida is part of the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Port St. Lucie Combined Statistical Area, and is situated on the Treasure Coast in Florida. It is a largely urban area with a population of 144,755 as of 2014. That’s a significant increase from the 2000 population of 112,947. The county is the seventh wealthiest county in Florida, and among the richest areas in the United States.
The area that is now Indian River County was once included as part of the East Florida colony controlled by Spain. That area then was made part of St. Johns County in 1822. Its county designation changed several times over the years until it was eventually carved out as its own county in 1925, from territory that comprised the northern part of St. Lucie County. The county is served by several airports and the GoLine bus system. An Amtrak station is planned for the near future.
Indian River County has a median household income of $42,401, which is somewhat lower than the Florida median of $46,036 and almost $3,000 higher than the 2000 estimate. Industries in the area include health care and social assistance, which account for 22% of all economic activity – as well as retail trade and education, which make up another 24%. Food services, professional services, and waste management and administration services help to round out the list of industries that help to fuel the area economy. Residents in the county have an opportunity to amass wealth and effectively plan for their family’s futures, and Kulas & Crawford, Medicaid & Estate Planning Attorneys can help them with those strategic efforts.
Senior Citizens in Indian River County
The county’s median resident age was 49 years in 2014, which is nine years older than the statewide median of 40 years. About 19% of all residents are below the age of 18, with slightly more than 29% of the population aged 65 or older. 16% of all households are seniors who live on their own, and 5.7% of all seniors in the area are living on incomes below the poverty line.
As is true in most of the country, area seniors often work to remain in their own houses long after they retire. Poor health and other changing medical needs can lead to them requiring additional living assistance, however, and many eventually end up receiving help from friends and family member or seeking in-home care. For those who need more extensive assistance, however, long-term nursing care often becomes a necessity. Caring.com maintains a list of nursing home facilities in the area.
It has always been true that long-term care options represent a difficult decision for most seniors and their families. That’s why it is incumbent upon all seniors to thoroughly review their choices prior to making any decision about the type of care to seek. In addition to choosing a facility, seniors also need to have a plan to pay for their care. At Kulas & Crawford, Medicaid & Estate Planning Attorneys, our experts can help seniors ensure that their plans include the right facility for their needs and the Medicaid, VA benefits, or other funding needed to cover the costs of care.
Housing and Labor in Indian River County
Anyone who might be considering a move to Indian River County will almost certainly have questions about things like housing and labor demographics. The following information from 2013 can provide some insight into the area’s lifestyle and prospects for newcomers.
The median value of homes and condos in Indian River County was estimated to be $151,100 in 2013. That’s a tremendous increase over the 2000 median value of $91,600, and is only slightly below the statewide median value of $153,300. Rent in the area is less expensive than that seen in other areas of the state, with median rental costs of $736 per month.
For businesses that want to launch or transfer into Indian River County, other demographics may be even more important. For instance, education in the area is impressive, with more than 81% of all residents over the age of 25 enjoying at least a high school education. 23.1% of those residents have a bachelor’s degree or more advanced education. As of September, 2015, unemployment in the area was 7.2%.
Indian River County Courts of Relevance
Vero Beach is the county seat of Indian River County, and is the site of the Indian River County Courthouse where matters of guardianship and probate are handled. The court is located in Room 158 at 2000 16th Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32960, and is open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. You can reach court personnel by dialing (772) 770- 5185.
Probate court remains an integral part of the county’s community, as it assists with guardianship matters involving minors and adults who have become incapacitated through injury, illness, or old age. The Indian River County Courthouse can provide you with many answers to probate or guardianship questions. Kulas & Crawford, Medicaid & Estate Planning Attorneys can also assist you, providing help with everything from executor duties to guardianship guidance and estate planning need.
Indian County Residents: Get the Estate Planning Help You Need
At Kulas & Crawford Medicaid & Estate Planning Attorneys, we’ll be here when you need us for any estate planning or elder law needs in the Indian River County area. We work with you to help protect your assets and your family, securing your business interests, future incapacity needs, and long-term care financing plans. To learn more about how we can help your family safeguard its future, contact us online or call (772) 398-0720 today.