Hinkle Prior & Fischer

Specializing in disability and elder law since 1974, Hinkle, Prior & Fischer offers a full range of legal services for people with disabilities and their families, and seniors.
The firm's attorneys have argued many of the precedent setting cases affecting people with disabilities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Legal advocacy is often critical to protecting the rights of individuals related to appropriate educational services, access to adult services, and eligibility for public entitlements.
Careful planning is also critical to protecting assets and income resources that will help ensure your loved ones have the opportunity to lead the fullest life possible in their community.

All children with disabilities are entitled to a free, appropriate education in a full continuum of settings ranging from a regular public school classroom with support services, to a residential school when necessary.
Transition planning is also important to help secure needed service after age twenty-one.
Federal and State law provide for specific rights and procedural protections for children with disabilities and their families.
Getting advice about the law, and yours and your child's rights and responsibilities early in the process can help you develop appropriate stategies to support your child's educational rights.

Appropriate services are critical if adults with disabilities are to live as independently as possible in their communities.
In some cases, adults with disabilities have a legal right to an appropriate residential placement and a full day of structured activities, at no cost to family members.
The rules and regulations regarding eligibility for services can be confusing and difficult to navigate.
Despite long waiting lists for both residential and day program services, there are legal procedures to help protect your rights to these services and obtain them when they are needed.

Guardianship, durable powers of attorney and "living wills, " sometimes referred to as "Surrogate Decision-Making, " are some of the methods available to legally empower one person to make decisions for someone who may not be able to make decisions for him or herself.
Individuals with disabilities and seniors may also be able to exercise independence in some of their affairs, while needing assistance from family members in others.
Surrogate decision making arrangements may also need to be revisited if the circumstances or capacities of the individual change over time.

When preparing a will, careful planning is essential to ensure that family members are protected, that assets are not needlessly depleted, and that tax exposure is minimized.
Consideration must be given to ensuring eligibility, both now and in the future, for services and benefits.
Special trusts and other legal arrangements are often needed to assure a secure and comfortable future for the beneficiaries.
The attorney you use should have a law degree in taxation or a certificate in estate planning.