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 Ronald Marvin Bernstein
   24PR00953
   Fix Residence

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The Petition to Fix the Residence Outside the State of California is APPROVED.

The matter is CONTINUED to the May 14, 2026 probate case management conference calendar at 3:00 p.m. in Department 12, for status of a petition to transfer the conservatorship to the state of Washington. If a petition to transfer is filed at least seven (7) days prior to the hearing, no appearances shall be required.

The case management conference hearing set March 26, 2026 for status of final account and report is also CONTINUED to May 14, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. in Dept. 12.

 

2. Conservatorship of Roger Craig Anderman
   25PR00872
   Appointment of Conservator

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The petition of Dr. Mark Alun Anderman, for appointment as conservator of the person and estate is GRANTED with medical powers pursuant to Probate Code [PrC] §2355 and special powers under PrC §2356.5(b), the authority to authorize placement in a facility, and PrC §2356.5(c), the authority to authorize the administration of medications for the care and treatment of a major neurocognitive disorder.

Bond is SET in the amount of $640,000.00, based upon the filed Inventory and Appraisals.

The Court will modify and sign the Order submitted on August 1, 2025.

The matter is SET on the July 2, 2026 probate case management conference calendar at 3:00 p.m. in Department 23 for review of compliance with the Probate Code sections listed below:

-Probate Code § 1830 Notice of Conservatee’s Rights (Judicial Council Form GC-341) and a copy of the Order Appointing Conservator shall be mailed on or before the 30^th day following the filing date of the Order Appointing Conservator.

-Probate Code § 2352.5 Confidential Conservator Care Plan – Part 1 and 2, shall be filed with the court within 120 days of the date of the court’s order appointing conservator.

The Court notes the Probate Code § 2610 Inventory and Appraisal (Judicial Council Form GC-040) along with the notice of how to file an objection (Judicial Council Form GC-042) have already been filed and served.

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.

If the conservator complies with all requirements above, no appearance shall be required, and a new case management conference date shall be set for one month after the first accounting is due for accounting status.

The temporary conservatorship shall terminate on March 6, 2026, or when general letters issue, whichever is sooner.

 

3. Conservatorship of Christine Jama
   25PR01311
   Appointment of Conservator

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The matter is CONTINUED to April 3, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12, to allow additional time for Petitioner to file a Confidential Capacity Assessment and Declaration.

 

4. Conservatorship of Marcia Dinkelspiel
   SPR73734
   Change of Venue

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The request to transfer the conservatorship to Marin County, California, is APPROVED.

Matter is SET on the May 21, 2026, Case Management Conference calendar at 3:00 p.m. in Department 12, for status of written notification of receipt from Marin County Superior Court, pursuant to Probate Code §2217(a).

If notification of receipt is filed prior to the hearing date, no appearances shall be required, and the matter will be dropped.

 

5. Conservatorship of Scott Lindquist
   SPR095209
   Account & Report

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

Successor Conservator fees are approved in the amount of $69,200.50, to be paid from the conservatee’s special needs trust. 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.

Attorney fees are approved in the amount of $26,793.90, to be paid from the conservatee’s special needs trust. 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.

Attorney’s request for reimbursement of costs advanced is approved in the amount requested, to be paid from the conservatee’s special needs trust.

The successor Conservator’s request for authorization to receive up to $750.00, for post-hearing services and court costs without a court order, is approved.

Attorney’s request for authorization to receive up to $1,155.00, for post-hearing services and court costs without further Court Order, is approved.

Petitioner is directed to submit a revised Order that conforms to the Court’s ruling.

Petitioner 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.

Upon the filing of the conservator’s receipt of transfer of the conservatorship assets to the conservatee, Scott Lindquist, and an Ex Parte for Final Discharge and Order, the Conservator shall be discharged and surety on bond exonerated.

 

6. Conservatorship of Peter Jon Shemonsky
   SPR096702
   Review
   Account and Report

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

Conservator’s request for fees is approved as prayed.

Attorney’s request for fees and reimbursement of costs advanced is approved as prayed.

Conservatee is capable of completing an affidavit of voter registration in accordance with Elections Code §2150 and is entitled to vote.

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 February 26, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12, for an annual court investigator review of conservatorship of the person.

The matter is SET on the October 22, 2027, case management conference calendar, at 3:00 p.m. in Department 12, for status of account. If the Second Account and Report of Successor Conservator is filed at least seven (7) days prior to the hearing, no appearances shall be required.

 

***End of Tentative Rulings***