There are three basic documents that everyone should have in order to protect themselves and their loved ones. Some people attempt to download these forms off the internet or purchase a book that enables them to do it themselves, and while that is better than not having them at all, it is wise to consult an attorney in your state about forming these documents so that they are not so easily contested if someone in your family or life should not like what you have decided.  The best way to make sure that your wishes are followed is to be clear about them, see a qualified expert (and sometimes, if you are dealing with a lot of property involving an accountant and/or financial planner in the estate plan) and making sure that the documents are available to those who will carry out your wishes in the event that you are incapacitated or after your death.  The three basic documents you need are the Power of Attorney, the Healthcare Power of Attorney and/or Living Will, and a Will.
POWER OF ATTORNEY

What is it? A document that gives someone else the ability to handle all or some of your affairs. It can be limited in scope or general. It can be springing (it starts when you are incapacitated) or durable (the person is always able to act in your behalf).

Why do I need it? Without it, who is going to pay your bills, manage applications to services, handle your health insurance or otherwise do all the things you need done for you when you are incapacitated?

WILL

What is it? A document that says how you want your assets divided when you die.

Why do I need it? You need it to have a say in how your assets are divided, who raises your minor children, who carries out your wishes.  Otherwise, a court will decide, and that may not lead to results that would make you happy.

LIVING WILL

What is it? A document that tells your loved ones and medical caretakers what your wishes are if you are unable to tell them yourself.

Why do I need it? Don’t leave your loved ones to make a tough decision about what to do based on their guess of what you would want. Give them the relief of knowing they are carrying out your wishes, and give yourself the dignity of making your own healthcare choices in advance.

Copied from Legal Health for Her blog

You won't wait long, but you will wait comfortably.

Turn off Route 73 onto Greentree Road (pass Whole Foods on your right). Executive Center at Greentree is on Eves Drive on your left hand side.  You will see a smallish green and white sign on the corner where you turn.  After you make the left, make the first immediate right into our parking lot.

The building looks like this:

Enter under the awning at suite 111 and ask one of our charming receptionists to announce you.

More directions from your location to Route 73/Greentree available via Google Maps:

All photographs taken by Nick Cvetkovic, who is available to hire for YOUR event. Contact him at nickcherryhill @ gmail.com or 856-672-4294.

The Law Office of Lynda L. Hinkle is pleased to announce that it now accepts Visa, Mastercard and Discover both in the office and by telephone for purchases of legal services or retainers. We are happy to provide this new opportunity for our clients to have flexibility in their payment methods. 

We understand that this is a difficult economy, and many people in need of legal services now cannot afford to pay huge upfront retainers, such as those some other attorneys require. We are happy to work out payment plans, automatic monthly credit card payments and reduced initial retainer fees so that our clients can get the legal help they need.

It is our policy not to quote prices over the phone, but we do offer free consultations where we can discuss the total fee (usually a flat fee rather than hourly, though some cases may require hourly rates) and payment plans along with discussing strategy for managing your problem. Call 856-983-0406 to set up your free consultation today.

LEGAL HEALTH FOR WOMEN

Speaker: Lynda L. Hinkle, Law Office of Lynda L. Hinkle

March 16, 2010 9:30am-11:30am

Women’s Opportunity Center of Burlington County, 59 Centeron Road, Mount Laurel NJ 08054.

You worry about and invest in your physical, financial and emotional health –but what about your legal health? Take charge of your life by learning the basic legal documents you should have, the most essential legal information you should know to protect yourself and your family, and how to find help when you need it without breaking the bank.  Topics include: wills and estate planning documents, cohabitation and prenuptial agreements, child support, domestic violence and some questions to ask when shopping for legal services. This workshop will empower you with the tools to make yourself the legally responsible, healthy person you deserve to be!

Cost:  $10 donation to the Women’s Opportunity Center (buys gas cards and other needs for displaced homemakers).

As we approach MLK Day, which President Obama named a National Day of Service last year
( http://www.mlkday.gov/ ), The Law Office of Lynda L. Hinkle would like to express and affirm its commitment to public service. Just some of the means through which we have or intend to support the community are:

1. Participation as a sponsor in the Cooking for Kids Sake event for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Camden/Gloucester/Burlington County. The event is coming up February 3, please consider attending because it provides a significant amount of the financial support for the laudable programs of BBBS throughout the year. http://www.cookingforkidssake.org

2. Support and participation as a speaker for the Women’s Opportunity Center of Burlington County which provides support and education to women in transition. http://www.woc-bc.org/

3. Providing some Pro Bono legal services for domestic violence and other individual and families in crisis through a program of Legal Services of New Jersey in Camden. http://www.probononj.org/

4. Dedication to child advocacy and giving children a greater voice in the legal system. One initiative we support is convening a White House Conference on Children and Youth. The purpose of the conference is to focus on a national direction for child welfare in the United States, and it is long overdue. Please consider supporting this important cause. http://www.cwla.org/advocacy/whitehouseconfsignon.htm

We honor the many heroes in our community that are regularly serving the public…such as police, fire and emergency medical services as well as countless volunteers that help keep hope alive in our communities. Thank you for your service!

2. Your living will. Along with your will, you want to have a living will that spells out what you want done in catastrophic situations. Don’t leave your family wondering what you wanted in the midst of their grief.

3. Your possessions. Not just the house and the car, but your Grandmother’s china set…things you want to go to a certain relative or friend that you know will treasure it.

4. It will cost you less than you think. At the Law Office of Lynda L. Hinkle, the will and living will package costs $300 (the cost of two good steak dinners or one video game console). This includes a free consultation and a mirror will for your spouse if needed (if your spouse’s will is significantly different, then the costs may be higher).

5. It won’t be as painful as you think. The process is simple: fill out a form with your assets and information, come in for your free consultation, sign our engagement form and pay half, then the remainder is due when your will is presented to you for signing.

6. It’s what’s best for your loved ones. In 2010, give the loving gift of clarity and protection to your family.

Call me at 856-983-0406, or email at hinklelaw@ lyndahinkle.com and I let’s get the process started. Take care of your financial and legal health by making sure you have all the proper documents in place. Your loved ones will thank you for it.

Get legal help. You don’t have to go through this alone. Call our office for a free consultation at 856-983-0406.

Don’t blame yourself. If you have been a victim of domestic violence, it is not your fault. Your abuser may try to make you feel as though it is, and chances are he or she knows you well enough to know how to make you feel that way. Don’t allow it.

Become your own hero. Although it is tempting to look for someone to save you in this terrible time of turmoil in your life, you are the hero you are looking for. Surround yourself with the support you need: a good attorney, friends and family who are supportive, a counselor or therapist, and any other professionals you may need. Don’t be afraid to lean on this support, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. But ultimately it is YOU who will get you out of this, and YOU who will look back on this time and know what an amazing, strong person you are for having done it.

Instead, focus on protecting yourself, your family, and your assets — both in the short term and in the long term. Right now your life feels chaotic; but think of how you will feel a year from now. Try to imagine how you want your life to be then. The things you do now will create that future for you and your family.

What to discuss with your attorney: creating a safety plan for your physical safety and that of your children, how to file a temporary restraining order, what a final restraining order is and how to get one, asking for the financial support you need, dividing property, your children and their support, child custody and visitation, what to do if your abuser violates the restraining order, finding resources for your emotional support, questions you have about the legal process.

When to call your attorney: whenever you have a question, concern or you need help finding a resource. However, if you are in physical danger call the police first, and then your attorney.