Estates & Other Probate

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 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. Estate of Alfred Marty
   25PR00196
   Spousal Property Petition

Tentative Ruling:  NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  The Court understands from the information provided by petitioner that: 1) the legal description of the real property in the July 14, 1972 judgment of final distribution is incorrect; and 2) that despite the assignment of an Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN), there is no deed recorded by the decedent.  As to the latter, the petitioner is directed to obtain the deed that vested title in Alice R. Marty and file that with the Court.  If the legal description of the real property in that deed is different from the judgment of final distribution, the petitioner may need to have the 1972 judgment amended to reflect the correct legal description as the petitioner states it functions in place of a deed in this case.  The petitioner may also consider contacting a title insurance company for historical documentary information about the real property, or the assessor’s office to determine on what legal description information they based the assignment of an APN.  To the extent petitioner seeks to rely on information from either, any declaration must be based on personal knowledge (i.e., not a declaration from counsel about what he was told).  The Court cannot grant the petition on the information presently before it, and certainly would not change the legal description of the real property in doing so.  Matter is CONTINUED to August 22, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Dept. 12.  Any supplement shall be filed and served at least 7 days prior to the hearing.

2. Matter of Maria Morfin
   25PR00307
   Other Hearing

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. In light of the Dismissal Without Prejudice – Entire Action filed on June 16, 2025, this matter is DROPPED from calendar.

3. Estate of Victoria Stefani
   25PR00614
   Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling:   NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.   Matter is CONTINUED to July 25, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Dept. 12.  While the Court is prepared to grant the petition to open probate, it is in receipt of a request to dismiss.  The Court rejected the request to dismiss on July 1, 2025.  In light of the fact letters of special administration were issued, an accounting is required unless waived by all parties.  This matter is continued to allow petitioners time to obtain and submit the waivers.  Alternately, if they can obtain and file the waivers before the hearing, they may request to appear and avoid the continuance.

4. Estate of Joyce M. Tinsley
   25PR00615
   Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. No bond is required as the will waives bond. Petitioner is to file an Inventory and Appraisal within four months of issuance of letters (Prob. Code section 8800(b)) and either a petition for an order for final distribution of the estate or a report of status of administration within the timeframe set out in Probate Code section 12200.

The matter is SET on the August 27, 2026, probate case management conference calendar at 3:00 p.m. in Department 12 for status of estate or final account and distribution. No appearances at the hearing will be required if the court determines that administration of the estate is timely proceeding, or good cause is shown why more time is required.

5. Estate of Bruce Kenner
   25PR00616
   Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Bond is fixed at $995,000.00. Petitioner is to file an Inventory and Appraisal within four months of issuance of letters (Prob. Code section 8800(b)) and either a petition for an order for final distribution of the estate or a report of status of administration within the timeframe set out in Probate Code section 12200.

The matter is SET on the August 27, 2026, probate case management conference calendar at 3:00 p.m. in Department 12 for status of estate or final account and distribution. No appearances at the hearing will be required if the court determines that administration of the estate is timely proceeding, or good cause is shown why more time is required.

6. Estate of Pamela H. Saylor
   25PR00623
   Probate of Will & Admin WWA

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Bond is fixed in the amount of $1,141,000.00. Petitioner is to file an Inventory and Appraisal within four months of issuance of letters (Prob. Code section 8800(b)) and either a petition for an order for final distribution of the estate or a report of status of administration within the timeframe set out in Probate Code section 12200.

The matter is SET on the August 27, 2026, probate case management conference calendar at 3:00 p.m. in Department 12 for status of estate or final account and distribution. No appearances at the hearing will be required if the court determines that administration of the estate is timely proceeding, or good cause is shown why more time is required.

7. Estate of Shirley Christina Fox
   SPR096339
   Petition for Final Discharge

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.

***End of Tentative Rulings***