The Potter Law Firm is extremely proud to serve the residents of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Our team works with our clients to develop strategies that provide them with effective asset protection, safeguards to deal with incapacitation, planning for long-term care, and a solid legacy to leave behind for their loved ones. We can assist you in all your efforts to secure assets against loss even as you work to increase your estate’s value over the course of your lifetime. Each day, we work to ensure that you are prepared for all of life’s contingencies, with sound planning and sensible strategies that can achieve your end-of-life goals. Residents in the area understand that they can rely on the Potter Law Firm for all their estate, financial, and retirement planning needs.
Check Out Mecklenburg County
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, is the most populous county in the state – with more than a million residents calling it home. The county includes the city of Charlotte, which is also the largest population center in the area. The County has a long history dating back to colonial times, with some attesting that a 1775 document called the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence was the first such declaration in the colonies – which would make the county the first to openly declare its independence from the Crown.
The county is a major transport center for railroad freight, with more than two dozen freight trains barreling through the area on a daily basis. The County also has three Amtrak service routes, which connect Charlotte to locations ranging from Baltimore, New York, and Philadelphia to Atlanta, New Orleans, Richmond, and Raleigh. Airborne travelers are served by the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
In 2013, the median household income for the county was estimated to be $54,278 – up from $50,579 in 1999. Industries of note within the county include professional, waste management, scientific, and management services – which together comprise nearly a third of the industry activity in the area. Another 30% consists of financial services, real estate, health, education, and social services. Thanks to this diverse economy, residents in the area have tremendous opportunities for building wealth. To protect and manage it, many rely on the Potter Law Firm.
Seniors in Mecklenburg County
The median age of the county’s residents in 2014 was 33 years old, which is 4 years younger than the statewide median. Roughly one-quarter of all residents were below the age of 18, with 8.60% either 65 years of age or older. Less than 6% of all households consisted of seniors living alone. More than 9% of people 65 or older live in poverty.
While many of the area’s seniors do live alone well into their retirement years, many more choose other living accommodations. Some move in with family members, particularly when their health starts to deteriorate. Many have little choice other than to seek long-term care to deal with more serious health concerns. Caring.com’s website contains a list of many different long-term care facilities.
Seniors and their loved ones should always thoroughly research options prior to selecting any long-term care facility. Nursing homes can vary wildly both in terms of amenities provided and quality of care. More importantly, however, their costs need to be taken into consideration. Often times, seniors rely upon Medicaid or other benefits to cover those ever-rising costs, but many seniors struggle to qualify for program benefits that they might need. At the Potter Law Firm, we can help you plan ahead to ensure that you qualify for Medicaid when you need it most.
Demographics for Mecklenburg County Housing and Labor
New residents often have a multitude of questions about important concerns like housing. Thankfully, demographic information is available to help you sort through those concerns and better understand the housing market in the area. Data from 2013 can be instructive:
The county’s estimated median value for houses and condos was $176,600, $37,000 more than the $139,000 median value recorded in 2000. That amount is also higher than the median value for all houses and condominiums throughout North Carolina, which was estimated at $154,300. Rental costs in the county had a median price of $776 per month – significantly higher than the $619 renters pay across the state.
Businesses desiring to move into the area will be delighted to know that 86.2% of residents over the age of 25 have completed high school or gone on to college or trade school. 37.1% of those have at least a bachelor’s degree, with many holding doctorates or other levels of education. As of September, 2015, the unemployment rate for the county was 5.1% – slightly lower than the North Carolina average of 5.4% unemployment.
Mecklenburg County Probate Courts
Probate in the county is managed by the Clerk of Superior Court – District 26, and deals with all matters related to guardianship and probate. The court is located at E 4th St, Charlotte, NC 28202 and is open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Anyone with questions or business before the court can call (704) 686-0400 during normal business hours.
The probate court in the county serves a critical function for minor children and incapacitated adults who require official guardians. The court also settles all estate subject to probate, ensuring that creditors and heirs receive all that they are due. Both probate and guardianship can be complex matters, and many people often have serious questions about the process and the law. If you or someone you know has to deal with matters related to either probate or a guardian, the Potter Law Firm can help you to get the answers that you need. We can even help you develop an estate plan that will ensure that your heirs do not have to worry about either probate or guardianship for your estate.
Get the Estate Planning Help You Need
At the Potter Law Firm, we’re dedicated to ensuring that the residents of Mecklenburg have access to the estate planning and elder law services they need to meet many life and end-of-life needs. We can guide you through the legal process to provide your assets with protection, secure your business interests, and protect you against unforeseen incapacitation or nursing home costs. And with a comprehensive estate plan, you can rest assured that your life’s goals will be brought into clearer focus than ever before. If you’d like to learn more about this historic county, or talk to us about any estate planning or elder law concerns you may have, contact us online or give us a call at (704) 944-3245 today.
