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 63 “Zoom” Online

• Navigate to website: https://sonomacourt-org.zoomgov.com/j/1603772262
• Enter Meeting ID: 160 377 2262
• And Password: 419097

To Join Department 63 “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 63:

• 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 Nancy Jean McNeill
   24PR00650
   Other Hearing

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The executor requests that the Court terminate proceedings and discharge the personal representative under Probate Code §12251 as there are no remaining assets subject to administration. Probate Code §12251 applies when there is no property of any kind belonging to the estate and subject to administration. The Petition states, though, that the one asset in the estate has been liquidated and distributed per the terms of decedent’s will; it does not state that there were no assets subject to administration.  There is no inventory and appraisal.  There is no indication that notice to creditors was provided, or that notice was provided to the franchise tax board, or to other agencies entitled to notice prior to distribution of funds held by a personal representative.  There is no accounting or waiver of accounting from all beneficiaries under Probate Code §10954.  Given these facts the Court APPROVES the petition to terminate the proceedings but DENIES the request to discharge the personal representative. 

 

2. Estate of Shirley Jean Hall
   25PR00799
   Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future court dates are DROPPED from calendar.

 

3. Estate of Jerome Solotky
   25PR01154
   Waiver of Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future court dates are DROPPED from calendar.

 

4. Estate of Susan M. Weiss
   26PR00024
   Waiver of Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCE REQUIRED. Any future court dates are DROPPED from calendar.

 

5. Estate of Maryellen Jewel Sechser
   26PR00837
   Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to November 13, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.  The letters of special administration are extended to that date.

The Court has reviewed the Declaration of Diligent Search filed 8/28/26 and finds that it does not include any specific details of the search efforts but only conclusory statements. For example, there is no report from the private investigator hired by the Petitioner.  The declaration states the decedent had no spouse, but the offered will states she wished to be buried with her gold wedding band.  There is no explanation provided to reconcile both these facts. 

Petitioner is to file and serve a new Declaration of Diligent Search for any intestate heirs at least seven (7) days prior to the next hearing that includes a report from a private investigator or an heir search firm, and underlying details from which any conclusions offered are drawn.

 

6. Estate of Joseph Dante Panfiglio, Sr.
   26PR00862
   Probate of Will  

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to November 13, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.

 

7. Estate of Lakhbir Singh
   26PR00950
   Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. No bond is required as all heirs have waived 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 December 9, 2027, probate case management conference calendar at 3:00 p.m. in Department 63 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.

 

8. Estate of Frances V. Arfsten
   26PR00994
   Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The Court takes judicial notice of the related case, SPR54694, on its own motion pursuant to Evidence Code section 452(d), subject to the following limitation. The Court does not take notice of the truth of hearsay statements in this case and documents contained therein. (Evid. Code §§ 452(d), 453; People v. Harbolt (1997) 61 Cal.App.4th 123, 126–127 [citations omitted] [courts may “take judicial notice of the existence of judicial opinions and court documents, along with the truth of the results reached—in the documents such as orders, statements of decision, and judgments—but cannot take judicial notice of the truth of hearsay statements in decisions or court files, including pleadings, affidavits, testimony, or statements of fact.”].)  In that case the Petitioner previously opened probate at which time decedent’s will was admitted to probate. The current Petition states that the decedent died intestate. In that case, a final judgment and discharge order was also issued. 

Matter is CONTINUED to November 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63.  At that time the Court will dismiss the present petition absent the filing and service by petitioner of a verified supplement citing legal authority to initiate a new probate action, rather than reopen the old probate action, in light of the above history and court orders; and, if such authority is established, satisfactorily addressing the discrepancy between the two cases.

 

9. Estate of Andres Ochoa
   26PR01009
   Determine Succession to R/P

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. 

 

10. Estate of Charles M. Moller
    26PR01025
    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 December 9, 2027, probate case management conference calendar at 3:00 p.m. in Department 63 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.

 

11. Estate of Edward Lawrence Allison
    26PR01037
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. No bond is required as all heirs have waived 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 December 9, 2027, probate case management conference calendar at 3:00 p.m. in Department 63 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 Kathleen McClintock
    26PR01038
    Determine Succession to Primary Residence

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to November 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.

Alternatively, if petitioner can file a verified supplement addressing the probate note, they may request to appear at the hearing (in accordance with applicable local rules) for the purpose of presenting it to the Court, potentially avoiding the continuance.

 

13. Estate of Dennis Louis Mohar
    26PR01047
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. No bond is required as all heirs have waived 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 December 9, 2027, probate case management conference calendar at 3:00 p.m. in Department 63 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.

 

14. Estate of Susan Yvonne Rodgers
    26PR01048
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling:  APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. No bond is required as the sole heir has waived 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 December 9, 2027, probate case management conference calendar at 3:00 p.m. in Department 63 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.

 

15. Estate of William Martin Kainu
    26PR01051
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to November 13, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.  The Court will likely require a bond if the petition is approved given the fact the proposed personal representative is an out of state resident.  See CRC 7.201(b) and Probate Code §8571.  In determining the amount of any bond, the Court considers the value of the assets of the estate.
 

 

16. Estate of Julian Villarreal Navarro
    SPR-097174
    Petition for Final Distribution on Waiver of Account

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.

 

***End of Tentative Rulings***