Kulas & Crawford is proud to provide professional estate planning and elder law services to our neighbors throughout the Martin County, Florida area. As a premiere provider of legal services to residents of this area, we are committed to helping each client effectively plan for all of life’s most important milestones. Our services encompass everything from legacy planning to Medicaid assistance, incapacity planning, and asset protection. We’ll assist you as you work to safeguard your assets and grown them over time, to ensure that your loved ones are properly cared for throughout your life and beyond. If you are a resident of the area or simply thinking about moving into Martin County, Florida, rely on our firm to provide you with the elder law and estate planning help you need.
Martin County, Florida: A Treasure on the Treasure Coast
Three centuries ago – in 1715 – the Spanish lost an entire fleet of ships laden with silver treasure they were taking from the New World back to Spain. Of the twelve ships in that fleet, eleven perished in a hurricane that struck near what is now Vero Beach, Florida. In reference to that lost fleet, an area along the eastern coast of Florida has come to be known as the Treasure Coast – an area that includes Martin County. With such a rich historical backdrop, it should be no surprise that the region has carved out its own unique identity, and drawn tourists from around the world.
Martin County is part of the Port St. Lucie, Florida Metro Statistical Area, as well as the more extensive Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Port St. Lucie, Florida Combined Statistical Area. The County’s current population stands at more than 153,000 people, as of the 2014 survey, an increase of more than 7,000 people since the last census in 2010. That growing population is served by the Indiantown Airport, as well as a number of major highways and Interstate 95.
Throughout the county, the median household income was estimated to be $43,083, with family income at more than $53,000. Slightly less than 9% of the population is considered to be below the poverty line. The county offers a diverse economic picture to residents, with a variety of industries providing employment. More than a quarter of that industry involves management, professional and scientific services, administrative work, and waste management. Retail, insurance, finance, health, and education activities provide another third of industry activity in the area. That diverse economic outlook provides the type of opportunities that can enable residents to build wealth over time. Robert Kulas Attorneys at Law can help them to protect and grow that wealth.
The Martin County Senior Community
As of 2014, the median age of residents living in Martin County was 49 years. That’s a full nine years older than the statewide median age of 40. Roughly 19% of the area’s population is below the age of 18, with 28.20% age 65 or older. Among households in the county, 16% are made up of senior citizens who live alone. About 5% of area seniors are classified as having incomes that place them below the official poverty line.
Many of the area’s elderly residents live independently even after retirement. Like seniors throughout the country, however, health care needs change as these residents continue to age. Many eventually require more extensive care or assistance with daily living. Some turn to in-home care options. Others choose to live with family or friends. Many eventually turn to long-term care. Caring.com provides a list of the various nursing home and long-term care options in the area.
Decisions related to nursing home care are serious matters that should never be taken lightly. It is important for older Floridians and their loved ones to review the options before them to ensure that they make the right decision for their needs, and that care can be paid for without difficulty. At Robert Kulas Attorneys at Law, we can help your family evaluate those decisions and use Medicaid planning and other funding techniques to ensure that the high costs of nursing home care can be properly managed.
The Martin County Demographic Outlook for Housing and Labor
For people who might be thinking about moving to Martin County, it can be helpful to know a little more about the area’s housing and labor outlook. Data provided for 2013 can give you a good indication as to how the area compares to other Florida communities and regions around the country.
Across the county, median values for homes and condominiums in that year were estimated to be slightly more than $191,000. That’s a significant increase above the $114,400 median value recorded back in 2000, and nearly $38,000 more than the statewide median. Renters can expect to pay somewhere around $813 a month, which is slightly below the Florida median.
For business owners considering a move to the area, the education of the area’s residents can be informative as well. 85.3% of area residents have completed high school or pursued education beyond high school. 26.3% of those residents have at least a bachelor’s degree. Unemployment as of September 2015 stood at 5.3%.
Probate in Martin County
Residents and others with probate business in the county should be aware that these matters are handled at the Circuit Court in the county seat of Stuart, Florida. The courthouse is located at 100 SE Ocean Boulevard, Stuart FL 34994, and can be accessed Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. You can also call (772) 288-5576 for answers to many of your most common questions.
Get the Estate Planning Assistance You Need in Martin County
You can get the estate planning and elder law assistance you need from the legal experts at Kulas & Crawford. Our team can help you develop sound asset protection strategies, provide critical business planning advice, help you guard against incapacitation, and ensure that you can qualify for Medicaid and other benefits to cover future nursing home costs. If you’d like to learn more about the Martin County area or receive assistance in any of these important areas, contact us on our website or give us a call today at (772) 398-0720.
