I have represented clients in Pocatello and Southeast Idaho as a lawyer for more than 30 years. I represent clients in cases regarding adoption, divorce, elder law, estate planning and probate, family law, Indian law and several other legal matters. Please take a few minutes to review the information regarding the areas of practice, information on legal matters of interest to you and my background.
I hope you will consider a consultation, case assessment and representation regarding your legal matter.
I hope you will consider a consultation, case assessment and representation regarding your legal matter.
Services
Initially, I was with the Pocatello office of Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc., where I served as managing attorney. I have served as Chair of the Sixth District Bar Association Family Law Section and I have received the Idaho State Bar Association Pro Bono Award for my efforts on behalf of abused and neglected children while representing the guardian from the Court- Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program.
Adoption as a legal matter takes many forms and can vary from a relatively simple and straightforward legal proceeding to complex litigation, such as when the termination of a birth parent's parental rights is contested by the birth parent. I encourage potential clients considering adoption to schedule a consultation as soon as possible to gain an understanding of the legal considerations in the adoption.
Older clients may have different legal concerns that can require additional legal services. Most people consider a basic estate plan to include planning for death, but sometimes do not consider the importance of planning for incapacity. In an initial estate planning consultation, I focus on the client's specific needs and I believe that a basic estate plan need not be overly complex.
Often legal issues within a family present the most difficult legal matter a person will experience in his or her lifetime. My representation of clients in divorce and other family law matters has been some of the most satisfying and challenging aspects of my legal career. My interest in family law dates back to law school where in 1976 I was awarded the American Jurisprudence Award for the highest grade achieved in the family law course.
Please be aware that e-mail communication by its nature is not considered confidential, and therefore I am unable to respond to requests for legal opinions or advice through e-mail. Also, an attorney-client relationship is not created by your access to this website or communication with me through e-mail.
Reviews (11)
Dan Bandit
Apr 22, 2021
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Professional, organized, caring - goes above and beyond.
Mr. Belzer handled my adoption almost 27 years ago for my family. I’m now all grown up and needed some documents from my adoption along with some complicated international recognition. Fred not only remembered my family from that adoption but was extremely helpful and was able to provide copies of documents we had thought we lost or would be a complicated court process to attain. The way he handles his practice has infinitely improved my life and grateful to him for it. He is an excellent lawyer but also a good guy. You couldn’t be in
Mr. Belzer handled my adoption almost 27 years ago for my family. I’m now all grown up and needed some documents from my adoption along with some complicated international recognition. Fred not only remembered my family from that adoption but was extremely helpful and was able to provide copies of documents we had thought we lost or would be a complicated court process to attain. The way he handles his practice has infinitely improved my life and grateful to him for it. He is an excellent lawyer but also a good guy. You couldn’t be in
K. B.
Jul 17, 2020
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Heather Coito
Dec 27, 2018
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Fred worked with my husband and I on a recent adoption. The process was not easy on us but Fred was very knowledgeable on what it would take to get the job done. He was there to explain to me every step of the way what to expect next! He answered all my questions kept in constant contact with us! I am very pleased and in the end the adoption hearing went perfectly! Would highly recommend him, and his staff are very wonderful to work with!
A'Lawna Smiddy
Jun 13, 2018
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I absolutely agree with Andrea Gudger's review. Fred was extremely condescending, rude and went out of his way to try to make me feel worthless. He called me in the evening, as I was driving home from work, and then had the nerve to say he was "missing his dinner" because he was talking to me when it was HE who called me and we had spoke for less than 5 minutes when he said that. If he needed to eat so badly 5 minutes after he called me, he obviously shouldn't have called me at a bad time for him, acting as though I was putting him out. He also kept interrupting me and had the nerve to say I was
Amber Creason
Dec 19, 2017
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I would strongly recommend Fred. He is professional, honest, and fair. I appreciated how upfront he was with me rather than wasting my time and money with sugar coating. He did an outstanding job of preparing me for what was to come, and when it was time, he was well prepared and represented me in a professional and respectful manner.
Heather Clarke
Nov 07, 2017
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I worked with Fred Belzer as my attorney during my recent divorce. Mr. Belzer is an extremely knowledgeable individual, who listens and can give you his honest feedback and assessment of what you can potentially expect. It was hard to find such an intelligent, well informed lawyer such as Fred, who was not condescending. He made me feel relaxed and well informed about a complex emotional topic. He has an outstanding work ethic and results orientation. Without a doubt I highly recommend him.
Devin Wright
Nov 05, 2017
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I highly recommend Fred Belzer. He went above and beyond our expectations, providing both quality legal assistance and a compassionate ear. He helped us navigate many unknowns with precision and expertise. I would not hesitate to utilize him again, and confidently recommend him to anyone I know in need of legal services.
Shane Wright
Oct 22, 2017
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Mercedes Cannon
Jul 05, 2017
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Fred has been my husband's lawyer for a little over one year. He is very through, very clever and very knowledgeable. Every time we have called him he has answered or contacted us within the same day. He has explained things about family court that we didn't understand before, and he went to bat for my husband at his custody trial. He is very professional and I would recommend him to anyone in Bannock County.
Buffi Montgomery
Jun 17, 2017
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Trista H.
Jul 20, 2016
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I would not recommend Frederick Belzer to anybody. I only experienced one phone conversation with him, and that was enough to convince me not to work with him. He was very condescending and rude to me.It bothered me that he felt like he needed to lecture me over the phone for over five minutes that I was asking too many questions. Why he couldn't have said a simple and polite goodbye I will never understand. Also he said he was going to charge me $100 for a consultation (which I was fine with), but became very ambiguous on what would happen if we went over. I didn't like that he wasn
