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 23 “Zoom” Online
- Navigate to website: https://sonomacourt-org.zoomgov.com/j/1608254529
- Enter Meeting ID: 160 825 4529
- And Password: 611386
To Join Department 23 “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 23:
- 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
December 20, 2024 at 9:30 a.m.
- Estate of Nancy Kay Webb
23PR00361
Account and Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future Case Management Conference dates are DROPPED from calendar.
- Estate of Rose Ann Fuhrman
24PR00023
Account and Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future Case Management Conference dates are DROPPED from calendar.
- Estate of Todd K Graham
24PR00088
Letters of Administration
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future Case Management Conference dates are DROPPED from calendar.
- Estate of Henry Louis Chapot
24PR00742
Probate of Will
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Based on the Declaration filed on 12/9/24 by Petitioner Mary Chapot, the Petition for Probate is DISMISSED without prejudice.
- Estate of Herbert Weldon Semmelmeyer, Jr.
24PR00883
Probate of Will and Administration WWA
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Bond is fixed in the amount of $850,000. 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 February 26, 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.
- Estate of Gladys Marie Strassman
24PR00963
Letters of Administration
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. No bond is required as heirs waive 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 February 26, 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.
- Estate of Norma Jean Edwards
24PR00966
Probate of Will and Administration WWA
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. No bond is required as heir 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 February 26, 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.
- Estate of Ruben Louis Sala
24PR00969
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 February 26, 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.
- Estate of Mary Lynne Stewart
24PR00970
Letters of Administration
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to January 24, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. The Court notes that the Decedent was a resident of the City of Rohnert Park, California. Publication occurred in the Petaluma Argus-Courier which is published in the City of Petaluma. Petitioner needs to complete publication in compliance with Probate Code section 8121. Letters of Special Administration issued on 11/1/24 are extended to 1/24/25.
- Estate of Peter Anthony Tatum
24PR00972
Letters of Administration
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The Court may, in its discretion, require the personal representative to furnish a bond (CRC 7.201(b), Probate Code §8571.) As the personal representative is not a resident of California, bond is fixed in the amount of $100,000. 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 February 26, 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.
- Estate of Michael Stephen Troese
24PR00999
Letters of Administration
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. No bond is required as heir 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 February 26, 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.
- Estate of Ruth Ann Bollman
24PR01007
Letters of Administration
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to January 24, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes posted in the case file.
- Estate of Jennifer Mary-Jane Boisseau
24PR01022
Letters of Administration
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The Court may, in its discretion, require the personal representative to furnish a bond (CRC 7.201(b), Probate Code §8571.) As the personal representative is not a resident of California, bond is fixed in the amount of $20,000.00. 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 February 26, 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.
- Matter of Jack Oswald
24PR01111
Establish Record of Marriage
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to February 28, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. “A marriage contracted outside this state that would be valid by laws of the jurisdiction in which the marriage was contracted is valid in California.” Family Code §308. A valid marriage in another country may, therefore, be recognized by California and a delayed certificate of marriage issued. However, the proof of the foreign marriage presently attached to the petition is insufficient. The foreign marriage certificate must have an attached apostille. Since October 15, 1981, the United States has been part of the 1961 Hague Convention abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. The Convention provides for the simplified certification of public documents to be used in countries that have joined the convention. Fiji is a signatory to the convention. Documents destined for use in participating countries are certified by one of the officials in the jurisdiction in which the document has been executed. Said official must have been designated as competent to issue certifications by "apostille." With this certification by the Hague Convention apostille, the document is entitled to recognition in the country of intended use. Matter is continued to allow petitioner time to obtain the foreign marriage license with attached apostille and submit it prior to the next hearing. Additionally, as a matter of due process, the Court requires the other party to the marriage to sign the petition, be served with the petition and notice of the next hearing at least 30 days prior the hearing, or good cause established to excuse notice.
- Estate of Vera Fluss
SPR60800
Waiver of Account and Report
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. APPROVED. Any future dates are vacated. The OSC re: Dismissal is VACATED.
- Estate of Archie Schumann
SPR095845
Other
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCE REQUIRED. This matter is DROPPED from calendar due to the failure to file proof of service of notice of the petition filed September 23, 2024.
- Estate of Gregory Miller
SPR097163
Other
Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED for status of case. The Court notes it has no statement of issues from Petitioners.
- Estate of Susan M. Trainor
SPR097493
Account and Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future Case Management Conference dates are DROPPED from calendar.
- Estate of Paul C. Schmidt
SPR097639
Account and Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future Case Management Conference dates are DROPPED from calendar.
- Estate of Mary Adrienne DeGhetto
SPR097651
Account and Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future Case Management Conference dates are DROPPED from calendar.
- Estate of Vicki Lynn Myers
SPR097671
Account and Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future Case Management Conference dates are Dropped from calendar.
***End of Tentative Rulings***