Here at the Law Offices of Mary A. Miller, P.C., we proudly provide a full range of estate planning and elder law services for our clients in and around White Plains, New York. We work closely with the resident of this historic area to ensure that they have the asset protection, retirement planning help, incapacity protection, and other estate planning and elder law help they need. We can assist you in your efforts to safeguard your wealth, build your retirement nest egg, and establish a comprehensive legacy plan for your loved ones. If you need any of these services in the White Plains area, you can trust the Law Offices of Mary A. Miller, P.C. to help you achieve your goals.
White Plains, New York – A City Rich in History
The city of White Plains, New York is the county seat of Westchester County, and has a population of more than 58,000 people – which is more than nine percent higher than the population recorded in the 2000 Census. The city’s growth has come in large part due to its close proximity to Manhattan, as it has become a bedroom community for many residents who work in New York City.
White Plains has a well-earned place in history. It has served as the Westchester County seat since 1758, and was the site where New York delegates first approved the Declaration of Independence and effectively formed the State of New York. It was also the place where the nation’s Declaration of Independence was first publicly read to a gathering of colonials.
The area enjoys higher incomes that most of the state, with a median household income of $82,940, That is a substantial increase over the $58,545 recorded in 2000, and far more than the statewide median of just over $57,000. The industry outlook is diverse, with professional and technical industries providing making up 13% of the economy, and retail adding another 10%. Food services and hospitality, health care, finance, construction, and administrative services each represent between seven and nine percent of the economy. The high incomes make estate and financial planning critical for residents in the city, and residents know they can turn to the Law Offices of Mary A. Miller, P.C. for help.
Seniors in the Area
The median age of residents in the city is 38.4 years, which is just a fraction of a percentage point higher than the statewide median. About 21% of the residents are below the age of 18, with slightly more than 15% aged 65 or older. Almost 12% of area households are comprised of seniors living on their own. Roughly 7% of seniors are living on incomes below the poverty line.
As demonstrated by those statistics, many seniors in the area choose to live independently as long as they can. Eventually, however, many must opt for some form of in-home or long-term care. And while some choose to live with family caregivers when their health circumstances change, many others consider nursing home care and other long-term care options. You can find a list of care facilities in the White Plains are on Caring.com.
The choice to take up residence in a nursing home is one of the most important decisions any senior can make. As such, it requires thorough research and consideration of all available options. Seniors and their families have to not only pick the right care option, but ensure that financing is available to pay for costs that can be among the highest in the nation. At the Law Offices of Mary A. Miller, P.C., we can provide guidance in all of these areas to help you find the best option and secure funding through Medicaid and other available benefits and resources.
Demographics for Housing and Labor in White Plains
For people outside of the area who might be contemplating a move to White Plains, it can be helpful to know a little something about housing in the area, as well as labor demographics. Recent data compiled from 2013 presents a picture of a vibrant housing market.
Back in 2000, the median value of home and condos in White Plains was estimated to be $273,000. Today, that number has risen dramatically to $471, 701! Meanwhile, the median value of homes across the state is $277,600. The median gross rental cost is estimated to be slightly more than $1,500 per month.
Business owners who want to open a business in White Plains will be interested to learn that the area’s residents are extremely well-educated. 86.4% of all resident above the age of 25 have at least a high school diploma, while more than 47% have a bachelor’s degree or some higher level of educational accomplishment. Nearly a quarter have a graduate’s degree. Meanwhile, unemployment is roughly 5.7%.
White Plains Courts for Probate
The city’s courthouse also handles probate and guardianship matters, since White Plains is the county seat. These cases are all dealt with by the Westchester Surrogate’s Court, located at 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, 19th floor in White Plains, NY 10601. Court hours are from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Interested parties can call (914) 824-5656 for more information.
Probate court is critically important for the community and residents throughout the county, as it helps to settle estates and provide guardians for incapacitated adults and children. The Surrogate’s Court can answer many common questions. For more complex issues or for help with strategies that can avoid probate and guardianships, the Law Offices of Mary A. Miller, P.C. is always here to provide the guidance you need.
White Plains Residents: Get the Estate Planning Help You Need
At the Law Offices of Mary A. Miller, P.C., our legal experts can help to guide residents of the White Plains area through many of the most complex elder law and estate planning questions they may have. We can help you develop sound estate plans that include asset protection, business planning, future incapacitation protection, Medicaid planning, and more. If you’d like to know more about the White Plains area or get started with your estate plan today, contact us online or give us a call at (914) 939-6565.
