Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Legal Partner in Modesto, CA
Established in 1936, Crabtree Schmidt has built a legacy of providing comprehensive legal services to clients in Modesto, Merced, and surrounding California communities. Our attorneys combine deep legal expertise with real-world business and farming experience to address complex legal challenges in areas such as agriculture law, business law, estate planning, and civil litigation. With a proven track record in both courtroom advocacy and transactional work, we prioritize client needs while maintaining a commitment to ethical standards and community trust.Our firm's longevity reflects our ability to adapt to evolving legal landscapes while preserving the personalized service that has defined our practice for generations. We serve farmers, business owners, and individuals, offering tailored solutions that protect interests and facilitate long-term success.
Services
Agriculture Law
Business Law
Civil Litigation
Commercial Law
Creditor Bankruptcy
Estate Planning
Real Estate Law
Trust & Probate Litigation
Details
- Year established: 1936
Highlights and features
- We offer 85+ years of combined legal experience with deep roots in California's agricultural community
- Our attorneys hold specialized certifications in estate planning and probate law
- Proven success in complex litigation and commercial transactions
- Local knowledge of Central Valley business and farming operations
- Multi-generational client relationships built on trust and results
Associations and certifications
- California Board of Legal Specialization
Services
Agriculture Law
We represent California farmers in contracts, real estate transactions, business succession, and regulatory compliance. Our attorneys understand agricultural operations through personal experience, providing practical solutions for farm management agreements, entity formation, and estate planning. Clients benefit from our specialized knowledge of agricultural tax benefits and boundary disputes.
Estate Planning
Our certified specialists create customized estate plans addressing wills, trusts, and business succession. We help clients navigate complex tax laws while protecting family assets. Services include advance healthcare directives, powers of attorney, and intergenerational wealth transfer strategies tailored to farmers and business owners.
Civil Litigation
We handle business, real estate, and employment litigation in state and federal courts. Our trial-tested attorneys prepare every case for courtroom advocacy while seeking cost-effective resolutions. Services include mediation, discovery management, and representation in contract disputes, shareholder conflicts, and property litigation.
Commercial Law
We assist with secured transactions, commercial loans, and bankruptcy proceedings. Our services include documenting financing agreements, enforcing collateral rights, and resolving creditor issues. Businesses benefit from our expertise in California Uniform Commercial Code compliance and debt restructuring.
Real Estate Law
We handle residential and commercial real estate matters including purchases, leases, and boundary disputes. Our services cover title issues, easement negotiations, and creditor-side foreclosures. Clients receive comprehensive counsel for property development agreements and land use regulations in California's Central Valley.
People
Robert W. Crabtree
Partner & Certified Estate Planning Specialist
Certified specialist in estate planning with 50+ years' experience. Former engineer and almond farmer brings practical insights to complex estate matters. Focuses on high-net-worth planning and probate litigation.
Walter J. Schmidt
Partner
Seasoned attorney with deep agricultural background. Represents farmers and businesses in transactional and litigation matters. Combines legal expertise with firsthand knowledge of Central Valley farming operations.
Questions
What areas of law does Crabtree Schmidt specialize in?
We focus on agriculture law, business litigation, estate planning, commercial transactions, real estate law, and creditor bankruptcy matters.
Do you serve clients outside Modesto?
Yes, we represent clients throughout California's Central Valley including Merced, Turlock, Patterson, and surrounding communities.
Are your attorneys certified specialists?
Robert W. Crabtree is a certified specialist in estate planning, trusts, and probate law by the California Board of Legal Specialization.
How does your firm handle agricultural legal matters?
Our attorneys combine legal expertise with firsthand farming experience to address contracts, land disputes, and business succession for farmers.
What litigation experience does your firm have?
We have decades of courtroom experience handling civil litigation including business disputes, real estate conflicts, and employment law matters.
