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
   Account & Report

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

Absent objections, the First Account and Report of Conservator is APPROVED.

Fees for the services of the conservator are approved in the amount requested.

Fees for the service of the conservator’s attorney are approved in the amount requested.

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.

The matter is SET on the October 22, 2026, case management conference calendar, at 3:00 p.m. in Department 12, for status of account. If the Second Account & Report of Conservator is filed at least seven (7) days prior to the hearing, no appearances shall be required.

2. Conservatorship of Sidney S. Scherer
   25PR01192
   Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The matter is CONTINUED to March 27, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12, to cure the deficiencies identified in the Memorandum of Court Investigator filed on February 11, 2026.

3. Conservatorship of Frank Messner
   25PR01195
   Review

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The matter is CONTINUED to Thursday, February 18, 2027, at 3:30 p.m. in Department 12, for the biennial review and report of the court investigator.

4. Conservatorship of Andrew Bennett Lozano
   25PR01319
   Appointment of Conservator

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The matter is DROPPED in light of the hearing set on April 17, 2026, for the Petition for Substituted Judgment to Execute a Special Needs Trust. 

The deficiencies identified in the Report of Court Investigator, filed on February 13, 2026, have been cured. 

Temporary Letters of Conservatorship are extended to April 17, 2026.

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.

5. Conservatorship of Gertrude Martha Tejano
   26PR00110
   Appointment of Temporary Conservator

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The petition for temporary conservatorship of the person and estate is GRANTED, with medical powers under Probate Code [PrC] §2355.

Special powers requested for authority to consent to medication for the treatment of a major neurocognitive disorder, and placement of the conservatee in a secured perimeter care facility, pursuant to PrC §2356.5(b) and (c), are granted.

The special power for authority to fix the conservatee’s residence is granted.

Bond is SET at $242,000.00

The matter remains SET on March 27, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12, for appointment of conservator.

***End of Tentative Rulings***