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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

June 12, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

  1. Conservatorship of David Dews, Jr.
    24PR01136
    Account & Report

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

The request for fees for the services of the conservator of the person are approved in the amount prayed.

The request for fees for the services of the conservator of the estate are approved in the amount of $11,671.50. In making this determination, the court has considered the nature and difficulty of the tasks performed, the time spent, the results achieved, and the compensation customarily allowed by the court in the community where the court is located.

The order has been revised to conform to this ruling.

Conservator’s request for additional fees not to exceed $1,500.00, to finalize the conservatorship estate, is approved.

The request to hold a closing reserve of $8,000.00 is approved.

The request for attorney fees, including the request for additional fees not to exceed $4,500.00, to finalize the conservatorship estate, is approved.

Petitioner is directed to pay the court investigator assessment of $600.00, within 30 days, payable to the Sonoma County Superior Court. Please include the case number and name of the conservatorship and send payment to the Probate Clerk’s office.

After payment of court approved fees, the remainder of the assets of the conservatorship estate shall be distributed to the Trustee of the David Dews, Jr. Living Trust, including any unexpended reserve.

Upon the filing of receipts and an Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge and Order, the conservator shall be discharged and bond terminated. Any bond premium, if any shall be distributed to the Trustee of the David Dews, Jr. Living Trust.

 

  1. Conservatorship of Faramarz Kiani
    26PR00166
    Authorization for Sale of Conservatee’s Residence

Tentative Ruling:  NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The request for authority to sell the conservatee’s residence is approved with court confirmation, pursuant to Probate Code §2540.  The Court finds the sale is necessary for the support of the conservatee, that there is no plan by the conservatee to return to the residence, and that there is no affirmative objection expressed.

 

  1. Conservatorship of Larrick Lloyd McDowell
    26PR00309
    Appointment of Conservator

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The petition for conservatorship of the person and estate is DENIED. Having read the Statement of Issues filed by both parties, as well as the pleadings, the Court finds that a conservatorship is not the least restrictive alternative. In addition, no proof has been submitted indicating that the proposed conservatee lacks the capacity to make his own medical and financial decisions or resist undue influence or fraud; in fact, proof has been filed indicating that he does have capacity. Mr. McDowell had the foresight years ago to execute an estate plan, which has neither been amended nor revoked, and has the  support of close family members and friends.

The case is DISMISSED with prejudice.  Any future petition for conservatorship must be based on materially new or different facts.

 

***End of Tentative Rulings***

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