Conservatorships

If the tentative ruling does not require appearances, and is accepted, no appearance is necessary. 

Any party who wishes to be heard in response or opposition to the Court’s tentative ruling MUST NOTIFY the Court’s Judicial Assistant by telephone at (707) 521-6893 and MUST NOTIFY all other parties of the intent to appear, and whether they will appear in person or by Zoom.  Both notifications must be completed no later than 4:00 p.m. on the court (business) day immediately before the day of the hearing.

Unless notification of an appearance has been given as provided above, the tentative ruling shall become the ruling of the court the day of the hearing at the beginning of the calendar, absent an objection from an interested party per Probate Code section 1043.    

To Access the Probate Examiner Notes:

• Access the Portal
• Accept the Terms
• Choose Smart Search, insert your case number, and follow all instructions.

To Join Department 23 “Zoom” Online

• Navigate to website: https://sonomacourt-org.zoomgov.com/j/1608254529
• Enter Meeting ID: 160 825 4529
• And Password: 611386

To Join Department 23 “Zoom” By Phone:

• Call: +1 669-254-5252 US (San Jose) and enter the same meeting ID and password as listed above.

Guide for Participating in Court Proceedings via Zoom for Dept 23:

• After joining the meeting and checking in with the clerk, please mute your audio when not speaking. This helps keep background noise to a minimum.
• Be mindful of background noise when your microphone is not muted. Avoid activities that could create additional noise, such as shuffling papers.
• Position your camera properly if you choose to use a web camera. Be sure it is in a stable position and focused at eye level, if possible. Make sure everything visible in the frame is appropriate for an appearance in court.
• If a confidential session becomes necessary it is incumbent on you to ensure you are able to participate from a private location so that unauthorized people cannot overhear or see the proceedings.
• Chat is enabled for the sharing of documents among participants and the court and to allow attorneys to communicate individually with each other or their clients only. No chat messages should be sent privately to the court as it would amount to an unauthorized ex parte communication. Neither should chat messages be sent to all participants unless directed by the court.
• The recording function has been disabled. Remember, the prohibition against recording court proceedings, even remote ones, remains.
• Be patient. Check in will take more time and the experience from those who have tried this before is that proceedings are a little slower generally.

1. Conservatorship of Linda Dawn Cochrane
   SPR092345
   Attorney’s Fees

Tentative Ruling: The third and final account and report is approved.

Conservator’s fees are approved in the amount prayed.

The attorney for the conservator’s fees approved in the amount prayed.

Conservator is directed to pay the Office of the Court Investigator fees in the amount of $1,200.00.

After payment of fees, the Public Guardian is authorized to transfer the remaining balance to the Sonoma County Public Administrator for transfer to the Sonoma County Treasurer.

Upon filing an ex parte petition for final discharge and order, the conservator shall be discharged and the surety on its bond be exonerated.

The order has been revised to conform to this ruling.

2. Conservatorship of Doris Norman
   SPR093108
   Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: The third and final account and report is approved.

Conservator’s fees are approved in the amount prayed.

The attorney for the conservator’s fees and costs are approved in the amount prayed.

Conservator is directed to pay the Office of the Court Investigator fees in the amount of $1,800.00.

Upon filing an ex parte petition for final discharge and order, the conservator shall be discharged and the surety on its bond be exonerated.

The order has been revised to conform to this ruling.

3. Conservatorship of Michael Torres
   SPR095087
   Account and Report

Tentative Ruling: The second account and report is approved.

Conservator’s fees approved in the amount prayed.

County Counsel fees approved in the amount prayed.

Conservator is directed to pay the Office of the Court Investigator fees in the amount of $600.00.

The matter is set for review on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., in Department 23 for status of accounting.  If the third account and report has been filed, no appearance shall be required.

4. Conservatorship of Gerard Champsaur
   SPR097782
   Appointment of Conservator

Tentative Ruling:  APPEARANCES REQUIRED for trial setting.  Counsel should be prepared with time estimates.  The parties should also be prepared to address the need for a capacity evaluation, which the Court understands until now has been put off.

5. Conservatorship of Eileen Rose James
   SPR097965
   Authorize Sale of Conservatee’s Residence

Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Conservatee may attend herself, or may be absent from the hearing and appear through counsel.  If conservatee wises to attend, the conservator shall make the arrangements.  The Court will consider conducting the hearing forthwith on the papers filed.  Based on the information before it, the Court would tentatively direct that the home in Tahoe be sold and that the home in Santa Rosa be rented after repairs are completed.  Alternately, the parties may request a special setting if oral evidence is desired.

***End of Tentative Ruling***