Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted Disability and Elder Law Attorneys in New Jersey
Hinkle Prior & Fischer is a law firm dedicated to advocating for individuals with disabilities and seniors through comprehensive legal services. With over 70 years of combined experience, our attorneys have shaped precedent-setting cases in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, focusing on special education, guardianship, elder law, and public entitlements. We prioritize legal advocacy to protect rights to educational services, adult support systems, and eligibility for critical programs like Medicaid.Our practice emphasizes strategic planning to safeguard assets and income, ensuring clients can lead independent lives in their communities. As trusted advisors, we also facilitate surrogate decision-making when necessary. Our team regularly contributes to disability law discourse through publications, workshops, and consultations, maintaining a commitment to advancing the rights of vulnerable populations.
Services
Special Education Advocacy
Guardianship Proceedings
Elder Law Consultation
Special Needs Trusts
Medicaid Planning
Adult Services Litigation
Legal Workshops
Public Entitlements Advocacy
Disability Rights Litigation
Transition Planning
Details
- Year established: 1974
Highlights and features
- We have argued precedent-setting disability rights cases in NJ and PA courts.
- Our attorneys combine over 70 years of specialized legal experience.
- We offer free workshops on critical disability law topics.
- We provide strategic planning for special needs trusts and Medicaid eligibility.
- Our team has secured landmark legal victories for clients statewide.
What people say
Proven legal victories
Decades of experience
Free educational workshops
Compassionate advocacy
Strategic planning
Services
Special Education Advocacy
We represent families in special education disputes, ensuring students receive appropriate services under IDEA. Our attorneys negotiate settlements, litigate cases, and secure compensatory education when districts fail to meet legal obligations. With deep expertise in IEP development and placement issues, we help families navigate complex legal processes to obtain necessary supports for children with disabilities.
Guardianship Proceedings
Our firm assists families in establishing guardianship for adults with disabilities, ensuring legal authority to make critical decisions. We guide clients through court processes, explain rights and responsibilities, and address contested guardianship matters. We also help update existing guardianship arrangements to reflect changing needs or legal standards.
Special Needs Trusts
We create customized special needs trusts to protect assets while maintaining eligibility for government benefits. Our attorneys consider long-term care requirements, Medicaid compliance, and family circumstances to design legally sound financial strategies that support individuals with disabilities throughout their lives.
Medicaid Planning
Our team provides strategic Medicaid planning to ensure access to critical healthcare services. We help families navigate complex eligibility rules, appeal denials, and structure assets to qualify for benefits while preserving financial resources for future needs.
Disability Rights Litigation
We litigate precedent-setting cases to protect disability rights in education, healthcare, and community living. Our attorneys challenge discriminatory practices, advocate for service access, and represent clients in high-impact legal matters that shape policy and improve systemic outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
People
Herbert D. Hinkle
Founding Attorney
A disability rights pioneer since 1974, Mr. Hinkle has argued five NJ Supreme Court cases and advised Rutgers University's medical school. He holds a JD from Rutgers and an LL.M. in Taxation from Temple University.
S. Paul Prior
Attorney
With 25+ years of experience, Mr. Prior focuses on special education and estate planning. He serves on The Arc of NJ board and has testified before the NJ Assembly on disability legislation.
Questions
What areas of law does Hinkle Prior Fischer & Oberweis specialize in?
We focus on disability law, including special education, guardianship, and adult services, alongside elder law matters like Medicaid planning and estate issues.
How can the firm help families with special needs trusts?
Our attorneys provide tailored trust planning to protect assets while maintaining eligibility for government benefits like Medicaid.
Do you offer educational resources for clients?
Yes, we host free workshops and publish newsletters covering disability law updates and practical guidance.
What makes your firm unique in disability advocacy?
Our team has shaped landmark cases in NJ and PA, combining litigation expertise with proactive planning solutions.
How do you handle emergency guardianship situations?
We prioritize urgent cases and work closely with families to establish legal protections during critical transitions.
