Family Law

• Divorce
  If you have decided to file for divorce in the Contra Costa-Alameda County area, or your spouse has filed and you need to respond, your choice of a lawyer could be extremely important. Experience and knowledge of relevant laws may matter to you, and so may finding someone you can talk to openly and trust.
• Child Support
  Child support, any petition for alimony/spousal support, and other important, ongoing financial needs and obligations
• Child Custody and Visitation
  Child custody and visitation (also called parenting time) — helping to protect your children’s interests and your most important relationships
• Guardianship
• Spousal Support

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  As a former prosecutor and veteran of trials and negotiations at all levels of the system, Wally Hesseltine brings valuable perspective to every criminal defense challenge. His straight-talking, practical approach can be invaluable as you assess all legal options and seek an outcome that enables you to move forward in life.
• DUI/DWI
  Pedder, Hesseltine, Walker & Toth, LLP, is dedicated to keeping our clients across Contra Costa County and across the Bay Area safe as they face some of their most difficult legal challenges. Part of that commitment includes vigorous DUI defense when you are arrested on drunk driving charges.
• Traffic Violations
  In addition to cases arising from DUI arrests and other traffic violations, we also apply for DMV hearings to address the issues of elderly clients and others who may have medical issues. For example, after an accident, traffic stop or report by someone you know, you may face the unjustified prospect of losing your license — and we will do all we can to protect your rights. You are entitled to a hearing, at which we can take measures to protect your rights, including...
• Burglary
• Theft
• Misdemeanors
• Embezzlement
  Distribution of assets: Embezzlement, misappropriation, outright theft or any other failure to distribute the assets of the estate or trust as dictated by law constitutes a fiduciary breach.
• Drug Crimes
  In the Contra Costa-Alameda County region and throughout the Bay Area, attorney Wally G. Hesseltine has built a strong reputation for resourceful, aggressive criminal defense. If you or someone you care about is facing charges such as a DUI, a drug crime, theft or domestic violence, we encourage you to contact our Lafayette law offices today for a free 30-minute consultation.
• Assault
• Juvenile Crimes
  As a community fixture in Contra Costa County for decades, our firm has gained insight into many complex problems faced by our fellow citizens. We encourage you to call or email our firm today to discuss your concern involving juvenile law, school discipline or an administrative matter.
• Shoplifting
• Restraining Order
• Forgery
  Forgery. There have been many cases of someone forging a will or other estate documents, or creating forged amendments for personal gain.

Health Law

• Medicaid Planning
  One of the biggest concerns people have is protecting their assets as they get older, so they can retain as much of their estate as possible for their loved ones. There are a range of options available, from trusts to Medicaid planning, to help you shield your assets from creditors, ex-spouses and other parties who may attempt to seize them. Speak to one of our attorneys to learn more.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  We said it before and we’ll say it again: Every adult should have an estate plan in place. Estate planning isn’t only for the wealthy — at
• Wills
  Our law firm has been an effective resource for the pursuit Of will and trust contests and the defense of people accused Of wrongdoing in estate matters.
• Trusts
  After a loved one passes and you are named as the executor of their estate, you have the option to administer the estate yourself or hire legal representation to help you through the process. If there is an estate plan already in place, you may be asking yourself — why do you need a probate and trust administration attorney?
• Power of Attorney
  Competency. You may have doubts surrounding the mental status of the decedent (then a “testator”) when documents such as a will, trust and powers of attorney were created.
• Probate
  Pedder, Hesseltine, Walker & Toth, LLP, have guided countless families through the probate process. With a combined 120 years of experience in estate planning, probate law and estate litigation, we have unique insight into the challenges people face while executing an estate. Below are just three reasons why an attorney can be invaluable to you in this difficult time.