Michael Barrette Attorney at Law

Michael Barrette Attorney at Law Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Michael Barrette Attorney at Law, Lawyer & Law Firm, Yuba City, CA.

We are a full service law firm here to assist you with Real Property, Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, Estate Planning Wills and Trusts, Business Planning and related needs.

Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom.A real property lawyer gets asked these questions a lot, “What can I do about a tree overgro...
06/18/2026

Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom.

A real property lawyer gets asked these questions a lot, “What can I do about a tree overgrowing the fence on my side of the property line? What if the roots of the tree are causing property damage to my sidewalks, patios or even the foundation of my house?

The answer: It depends. Everyone seems to think that property lines extend up in the air and you can just cut the branches of the tree up the property line with reckless abandon. Not so fast. California has hybrid rules. If you damage or kill a tree belonging to your neighbor, you can be held liable up to 3 times the value of the tree 🌲. So how much can a tree be worth you say? I explain to my clients to imagine what it would cost to replace that exact tree, fully grown, installed with a crane into place, with all the labor, and multiply that by 3. I had a case 20 some years ago where the tree company was hired to remove a tree and they went to the wrong property and removed a massive 70 year old ornamental cypress which was the centerpiece decoration of the property. My expert calculated a $75,000 replacement cost, possibly being a claim for triple the value, or $225,000.00!!! Damages can also be obtained for loss of shade and increased electric bills.

But, you do have rights to protect your property and even yourself if any part of a large overgrown tree is a hazard. Don’t navigate this legal landscape alone. Get some legal advice to know your property rights.

Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom. ChatGPT does not have a license to practice law. We often see clients that enter into cons...
06/03/2026

Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom. ChatGPT does not have a license to practice law. We often see clients that enter into consumer or business transactions that foolishly try to save a few dollars in legal fees and write up their own contracts. These days, with the internet as a resource, AI platforms like ChatGPT or LegalZoom make us think, “how hard can it be, it’s just a simple deal?” Right? WRONG. California is the most highly regulated state in the union, with a myriad of laws on required contract clauses, illegal contracts and countless regulations, in almost all aspects of contract law.

Yet, time and time again, I see clients when a deal goes wrong with either no contract at all, just a verbal agreement that California requires to be written, or a “home grown” contract that someone drafted on the back of a napkin that is illegal, ambiguous or unenforceable. Clients end up in court and spend far more money than they ever saved in legal fees trying to rescue them from their own folly. Worse yet, clients blindly sign what the other side offers as a contract (who is smart enough to have a lawyer), without getting independent legal advice to make sure they are protected.

Ask yourself this question, “Am I risking more than $10,000 if this transaction goes wrong?” If “Yes”, hire a lawyer to help with the paperwork. Trying to draft or negotiate one’s own contract is a fool’s errand. And, whatever AI platform you used to draft that contract won’t even apologize or pay your court legal fees when it gets it wrong.

Tuesday Tidbit. SOLAR LEGAL TRAPS. A lot of people get into purchasing or leasing solar without really, considering the ...
05/26/2026

Tuesday Tidbit. SOLAR LEGAL TRAPS. A lot of people get into purchasing or leasing solar without really, considering the long-term ramifications. Can I sell my house? Most importantly, what a sales person promises you isn’t binding unless it’s written into your solar contract. Solar is a long-term commitment. I’ve seen a number of people in my office that told me the sales person told them the solar contract was easily assignable to a new buyer when the homeowner goes to sell their home, only to find out that you can only assign the contract if the solar company lets you, which they frequently don’t. Also, consider the cost of your solar system and increasing your homeowners insurance to cover its replacement in the event of fire or other calamity. A recent case in my office involved, a homeowner putting the solar panels on an outbuilding because the roof was more beneficial for sun collection. However, they didn’t increase the insurance on the outbuilding, and when the entire solar system was lost due to fire, the insurance company only paid the small coverage they had on the outbuilding and they weren’t covered under the larger amount under their homeowners policy. Like any other contracts, solar contracts are written for the benefit of the solar company and not for the consumer.  A consultation with an attorney can help you avoid a lot of problems later on before you sign that contract.

Tidbit Tuesday-How old is your Estate Trust or Will plan?? More than 10 years old??? Many estate plans were offered on t...
05/19/2026

Tidbit Tuesday-How old is your Estate Trust or Will plan?? More than 10 years old??? Many estate plans were offered on the “set it and forget it” plan, which may work for your crockpot, but is of no legal help to the heirs of your legacy. Did you know that many changes in tax laws and administration over the past 10 years has likely made your estate plan obsolete or too burdensome and expensive for your loved ones to maintain. Have you properly managed and funded your Trust plan over the years? It may be time to take a look “under the hood” of your estate plan and see if a tune is needed to get it modernized and up to date!!!

Michtrina is living her best Pickleball life while her boss has to wait 11 more days to play 🤷🏻‍♂️
12/18/2025

Michtrina is living her best Pickleball life while her boss has to wait 11 more days to play 🤷🏻‍♂️

Oh no😱Michtrina got caught volleying In the kitchen and ended up in Pickleball jail. She needs the Law Office of Michael...
12/17/2025

Oh no😱Michtrina got caught volleying In the kitchen and ended up in Pickleball jail. She needs the Law Office of Michael R. Barrette!!!

Michtrina knows I like to play pickleball so she got me a jar of “pickleballs’. 🤣🤣🤣
12/16/2025

Michtrina knows I like to play pickleball so she got me a jar of “pickleballs’. 🤣🤣🤣

Michtrina thought I needed a picke-me-up and got me cups of “Joe”. 🤣🤣🤣
12/15/2025

Michtrina thought I needed a picke-me-up and got me cups of “Joe”. 🤣🤣🤣

My office was the proud sponsor of Breakfast With Santa at Mary Covillaud school. Provided breakfast and drinks so paren...
12/13/2025

My office was the proud sponsor of Breakfast With Santa at Mary Covillaud school. Provided breakfast and drinks so parents could bring the kiddos to see Santa and the Grinch. Our crew served over 250-300 people and it was so special to see all the wide-eyed little ones🤩

Michtrina decided to goof off at work with snacks and watch a little “YouTube” 🤣🤣🤣🤣
12/13/2025

Michtrina decided to goof off at work with snacks and watch a little “YouTube” 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Address

Yuba City, CA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 12pm
1:30pm - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 12pm
1:30pm - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 12pm
1:30pm - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 12pm
1:30pm - 5pm

Telephone

+15306745996

Website

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