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

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.

Tentative Rulings

August 14,  2026 at 9:30 a.m.

  1. Conservatorship of Stephen Leo Worts
    25PR00084
    Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The First Account and Report of Conservator is APPROVED.

Bond is increased $320,000.00.

Conservator is directed to pay the court investigator assessment of $600.00 within 30 days, payable to the Sonoma County Superior Court, in care of the Probate Division. Please include the case number and name of the conservatorship.

The matter is SET on the December 17, 2026, case management conference calendar at 3:00 p.m. in Department 63, for status of the second and final account of conservator.

 

  1. Conservatorship of Jean Elizabeth Chassereau
    25PR00779
    Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  The Second Account and Report of Conservators is APPROVED.

The request of Conservator, Ali Myers, as reimbursement for payments of legal fees, and for costs advanced, is approved as prayed.

The request for fees by Conservators, as compensation for their services as Conservators of the Estate, are approved as prayed.

The request for fees, including anticipated fees, by Attorney for Conservators, is approved as prayed.

Bond shall remain set at $798,000.00.

Conservator is directed to pay the court investigator assessment of $600.00 within 30 days, payable to the Sonoma County Superior Court, in care of the Probate Division. Please include the case number and name of the conservatorship.

The matter is SET on the August 19, 2027, case management conference calendar at 3:00 p.m. in Department 63, for status of the third account and report of conservators.

 

  1. Conservatorship of Kathleen Schmitt
    26PR00723
    Appointment of Conservator

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The matter is CONTINUED to September 18, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63, to allow additional time for Petitioner to file a completed Confidential Capacity Assessment and Declaration. The Office of the Court Investigator cannot begin its investigation until this document is filed.

Additionally, the Citation issued on June 11, 2026, indicating that the proposed conservatee has been personally served, must also be filed prior to the next hearing.

 

***End of Tentative Rulings***