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 12 “Zoom” Online

• Navigate to website: https://sonomacourt-org.zoomgov.com/j/1603772262
• Enter Meeting ID: 160 377 2262
• And Password: 419097

To Join Department 12 “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 12:

• 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 Louis A. Rannie-Stewart
   23PR00277
   Sale of Property

Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED for the confirmation of sale of real property.

2. Conservatorship of Sharon Zanassi
   25PR00083
   Appointment of Conservator

Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED. As the proposed conservatee objects to the conservatorship, the parties should be prepared to discuss possible alternatives.

3. Conservatorship of Stephen Leo Worts
   25PR00084
   Appointment of Conservator

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Matter is CONTINUED to May 9, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12 to allow time for Petitioner to correct the deficiencies listed in the Probate Examiner Notes filed on March 14, 2025.

4. Conservatorship of Catherine Kielsmeier
   25PR00280
   Appointment of Temporary Conservator

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. A Request for Dismissal of Entire Action was filed on 3/28/2025. Matter is DROPPED from calendar.

5. Conservatorship of Scott Lindquist
   SPR095209
   Appointment of Successor

Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Petitioner is directed to arrange for the conservatee’s attendance at the hearing.

Absent objections, Heidi Darling is appointed Successor Conservator of the person and estate with medical authority pursuant to PrC§ 2355.

Successor Conservator is authorized to receive a monthly payment of $500.00 for her services as Conservator of the Person and Estate, to be paid from the Special Needs Trust of Scott Lindquist.

Successor Conservator is authorized to continue acting as Court-appointed Guardian Ad Litem to represent Conservatee’s interest in the dissolution proceedings in Sonoma County Superior Court Case 24FL02161.

Bond is set at $25,300.00.

Successor Conservator is directed to pay to the Office of the Court Investigator the amount of $600.00 within 30 days of the order.

Matter is SET on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12 for the annual review and report of the court investigator.

***End of Tentative Rulings***