Michael C. Belden is an estate planning lawyer in Tracy who is also a specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law, certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. This program is a California Supreme Court-approved method for certifying attorneys as specialists in different areas of law. In earning this distinction, Mr. Belden had to successfully pass a written examination, attend a number of education programs, complete specific tasks in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate, and undergo a peer review.

In order for Mr. Belden to register to become an estate law specialist, he needed to practice in the specialty area for a certain period of time. Once Mr. Belden passed the Legal Specialist Examination, he is eligible to continue on in the certification process. Through this rigorous process, the State Bar of California ensures that Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law specialists have the knowledge and experience necessary to help his clients.

At Bakerink, McCusker & Belden , our attorneys in Tracy are dedicated to providing our valued clientele with comprehensive legal guidance in our areas of specialization. Attorney Michael C. Belden, one of our partners, has extensive experience in the areas of estate planning, probate, trust administration, and bankruptcy. In 2014, the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization granted Mr. Belden the designation of Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law. The exhaustive certification process involved a number of continuing education programs, peer reviews, and an intensive examination.

Before Mr. Belden joined our law firm, he served as Assistant Banking Center Manager for Bank of America. He later reviewed appellate cases for the Civil Justice Association of California. Mr. Belden joined the law offices of Bakerink & McCusker as a law clerk in 2003, focusing on estate planning and related matters. He graduated from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 2005 and was subsequently admitted to the California State Bar. Since joining our law offices, Mr. Belden has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to client education and counseling.

A personal injury lawyer near Tracy can handle a broad range of cases, including auto accidents and attacks by dogs. If you’ve suffered an injury and you believe it may have been the fault of another party, you can consult a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options. For this type of case, your injury lawyer will need to prove that the defendant should be held liable for your injuries. Additionally, he or she will need to provide evidence of the nature and extent of your losses. Quite often, however, attorneys can negotiate a favorable settlement for plaintiffs before the case goes to trial.

Auto Accidents

The majority of personal injury cases in the U.S. result from car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle collisions. Bicycle accidents and cases in which pedestrians are struck also form the basis for many personal injury lawsuits. Often, a lawyer can assist the victim of a crash by negotiating for a fair settlement from the auto insurance company. At other times; however, a personal injury lawsuit is necessary to justly compensate the victim. A lawyer can also represent the family members of an auto accident victim. In the event that a victim lost his or her life in the crash, the lawyer can file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the surviving family members. Compensation from a jury award or settlement deal can pay funeral expenses and medical expenses.

Dog Bites

Even a well-trained, mild-mannered dog can bite. Dogs often attack because they feel threatened, because they’re hurt, or because they’re trying to protect something or someone. Dog bite cases are complex and often hinge upon where the attack took place, such as whether it was on the owner’s property or in a kennel. If you’ve been attacked by a dog, it’s imperative to work with an attorney who has experience handling these types of cases.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall cases can also be complicated. An individual may slip or trip and fall on a public sidewalk, inside a private building, or inside a retail establishment. A personal injury lawyer can investigate the case thoroughly to determine which parties may be held liable for the accident. This may include property managers or building owners, for example.

You can consult an estate planning attorney near Tracy for legal guidance on a variety of matters. Estate planning involves arranging for the transfer of assets after your death , such as your home, savings, and investments. Estate planning also involves establishing a trust, living trust, and living will. You can turn to your estate planning attorney when you need to draft your last will and testament.

Watch this video for more helpful information on estate planning and the services your attorney can perform. This expert explains how careful estate planning can minimize the burden placed on your heirs. He also discusses why families might turn to an estate planning lawyer after the passing of a loved one.

Estate planning is often thought of as matters pertaining only to the drafting of a last will and testament. But in fact, estate planning near Tracy may also involve making provisions for the continuation of your business and planning for your own future. Estate law is a complex area. When it’s time to organize your affairs, turn to a lawyer with expertise in estate planning.

Taking Care of Your Family

There are many ways in which estate planning can benefit your family. Often, when a loved one passes on, the surviving family members experience financial difficulties, which can be compounded by the will being stuck in probate. A skillful estate planning lawyer may be able to use state laws to your family’s advantage, such as by enabling them to receive partial payments while they wait. You can accomplish much more with your will than just distributing your assets. If you have children under the age of 18, you can use your will to designate their guardian in the event of your death. Of course, it’s customary for spouses to name each other as the guardian in the event of a death. However, you can also name a secondary guardian, such as an adult sibling, aunt, or uncle in the event that both you and your spouse pass on before your children become adults.

Planning for Your Future

An estate planning attorney can help you express your personal preferences in the event that you become physically or mentally incapacitated. You can designate durable healthcare powers of attorney to make medical decisions in accordance with your preferences. You can also have a living will drafted, which will specify which medical treatments you want or don’t want in the event of certain circumstances.

Facilitating Succession for Your Business

Many small business owners rely on estate planning lawyers to help them plan for the succession of their businesses in the event of death. If you own a small business, planning these matters in advance will spare your loved ones the burden of deciding what to do about your business.

Brinton R. McCusker, a lawyer serving Tracy , has been providing legal guidance to California residents since 1997. As a founding partner of Bakerink, McCusker & Belden, this injury lawyer has helped hundreds of clients reach favorable resolutions of their cases. Mr. McCusker has extensive experience with all types of personal injury cases, including auto accidents, motorcycle crashes, truck accidents, dog bites, slip and falls, and defective products. Mr. McCusker also represents property managers and landlords in eviction cases, along with civil litigation involving real property disputes and breach of contract.

Before Mr. McCusker began serving residents of Tracy and nearby areas as a skilled lawyer, he served his country in the U.S. Army from 1985 to 1989 as a Russian linguist. Later, in law school, he worked as a law clerk for the County of San Joaquin. Upon becoming a lawyer admitted to the State Bar of California, Mr. McCusker also became a member of the Consumer Attorneys of California, an organization dedicated to fighting for justice on behalf of those who have suffered losses due to negligent acts.

A skilled lawyer can help you handle a number of complicated aspects of life. Whether you’re looking to plan your estate or hold another individual legally responsible for your injuries, it’s a good idea to hire an attorney. However, not just any lawyer will do—you need to find a skilled attorney who can adequately represent your interests. Here are a few factors to consider when hiring a Tracy lawyer .

Specialty

It’s impossible for any one person to have comprehensive knowledge of all facets of the law. When hiring an attorney, it’s important to look for depth, not breadth. If you need to draw up a living will, for example, an attorney who focuses on estate planning will serve your needs better than a lawyer who works primarily in criminal defense. The more focused your attorney is, the better equipped he will be to assist you.

Experience

As with any other field, experience is very important when it comes to law. An attorney who’s been around for a few decades is likely to achieve a better result than someone who is just getting started. Generally speaking, an experienced attorney will have a much better understanding of how court proceedings go and how to avoid common mistakes.

Reviews

Experience alone may not be enough—it’s also important to ensure that your lawyer is actually good at what he does. The internet is an excellent tool for finding attorneys and evaluating their past performance. When browsing a lawyer’s website, consider looking for a “reviews” section that features testimony from past clients. If the attorney has done a good job in the past, there’s a good chance he’ll do a good job for you, too.

Success Rate

Going in for an initial consultation is great for gauging your attorney’s personality and asking direct questions about his expertise. During the consultation, you might ask the attorney about his recent cases and overall success rate. If the attorney has won many cases that are similar to your own, he could be the right attorney for you .