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 Denise McMillan
   24PR00598
   Sale of Property

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

2. Conservatorship of Madeline H. Martinez
   SPR096804
   Attorney’s Fees

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The Petition for Fees and Reimbursement of Costs to the Conservator of the Estate and to the Conservator’s Attorneys is APPROVED, as follows:

Fees for the services of the conservator of the estate are approved in the amount of $67,275.00. In making this determination, the Court has considered the value of the conservatorship estate, the benefit to the conservatee, the necessity for the services performed, and the time spent by the conservator in the performance of services.  Costs requested in the amount of $328.19 are approved.

Compensation for services rendered by an attorney in a conservatorship proceeding is payable only as the court determines such compensation is “reasonable.”  In determining the amount of compensation to award, courts will consider the value of the estate, the nature and difficulty of the tasks performed, the time spent, the results achieved, and whether those results benefited the conservatee.

The Court has determined that attorney fees in the amount of $40,244.08 are reasonable for the services provided. The balance of costs advanced requested, in the amount of $576.58, are approved.

The Order has been revised to conform to this ruling.

3. Conservatorship of Barbara Jean Cameron
   SPR097500
   Status Update

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Matter is CONTINUED to July 11, 2025, to allow time for Conservator to file the Capacity Declaration.

4. Conservatorship of Eileen Rose James
   SPR097965
   Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Matter is CONTINUED to July 18, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12 to allow time for adequate service of the three Notices of Filing Inventory and Appraisals (Judicial Council Form GC-042), filed on June 3, 2025.

***End of Tentative Rulings***