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.

Tentative Rulings

Honorable Jennifer V. Dollard
June 27, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.

Conservatorship of Karen Ann Cheek
SPR59481
Change of Venue

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The conservatorship shall continue without modification.

The request to transfer the conservatorship to Contra Costa County, California, is APPROVED.

Matter is SET on the October 2, 2025, Case Management Conference Calendar, at 3:00 p.m. in Department 12, for status of written notification of receipt from Contra Costa County Superior Court, pursuant to Probate Code §2217(a).

If notification of receipt is filed at least seven (7) days prior to the hearing, no appearances shall be required.

Conservatorship of Ruth Marie Trout
SPR090201
Account & Report

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

The balance of fees due for the services of Conservator, in the amount of $6,977.50, are approved.

Fees for the services of Attorney for Conservator, in the amount of $2,602.50 and reimbursement of costs advanced in the amount of $519.80, are approved.

Additional fees for the services of Attorney for Conservator in the amount of $1,275.00, as well as future costs up to $550.00, are approved.

Conservator is directed to transfer the remaining conservatorship assets to the administrator of the Estate of Ruth Marie Trout.

The conservatorship estate shall be terminated immediately upon the transfer of assets to the administrator of the Estate of Ruth Marie Trout, and an ex parte petition for final discharge and order shall be filed.

Upon the filing of an ex parte petition for final discharge and order, Conservator and her bond shall be discharged.

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

Conservatorship of Donna Kay Wyatt
SPR097512
Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. APPROVED. The Court will add the following language at paragraphs 6 and 7 of the order lodged April 28, 2025, “In his role as trustee, conservator…” to make clear the distribution of the funds is pursuant to the terms of the trust and done by the trustee in that role.