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 Judith Lerner
   24PR00049
   Waiver of Account & Report

            Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to April 4, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes posted in the case file. 

2. Estate of Raymond Arthur Prince
   24PR00430
   Waiver of Account & Report

            Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future Case Management Conference dates are DROPPED from calendar.

3. Estate of Stephen Cartwright Fowler
   24PR00482
   Account & Report

            Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future Case Management Conference dates are DROPPED from calendar.

4. Estate of Timothy Powers
   24PR00495
   Waiver of Account & Report

            Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future Case Management Conference dates are DROPPED from calendar.

5. Estate of Scott Kendal Ventres
   24PR00640
   Waiver of Account & Report

            Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future Case Management Conference dates are DROPPED from calendar.

6. Estate of Joan R Jiminez
   24PR00667
   Account & Report

            Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future Case Management Conference dates are DROPPED from calendar.

7. Estate of Valerie Elaine Young
   24PR00709
   Waiver of Account & Report

            Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future Case Management Conference dates are DROPPED from calendar.

8. Estate of Barney Hirson
   24PR00853
   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 April 23, 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.

9. Estate of Diane L. Crosby
   24PR01091
   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 April 23, 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.

10. Estate of Matter of Jack Oswald
    24PR01111
    Establish Record of Marriage

            Tentative Ruling:  NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  Matter is CONTINUED to April 25, 2025 at 930 a.m. in Department 12 to allow petitioner time to obtain the foreign marriage license with attached apostille and submit it prior to the next hearing. The Court notes the filing of an amended declaration indicating such document has been requested, and the filing of an amended petition signed by both parties to the marriage.

11. Estate of John Stephen Reuter
    25PR00053
    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 April 23, 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.

12. Estate of Heidilyn Jymae Brunsmann
    25PR00063
    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 April 23, 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.

13. Estate of Gabriel Hernandez
    SPR67281
    Other Hearing

            Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.

14. Estate of Archie C. Schumann
    SPR095845
    Sale of Property

            Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED for the confirmation of the sale of real property.

15. Estate of Melany Texeira
    SPR0097333
    Waiver of Account & Report

            Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to April 4, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes posted in the case file. 

16. Estate of Carra Sue Gillis
    SPR097743
    Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to April 4, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes posted in the case file. 

*End of Tentative Rulings*