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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
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  • Choose Smart Search, insert your case number, and follow all instructions.

To Join Department 12 “Zoom” Online

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.

Tentative Rulings

March 13, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

  1. Estate of Gail Allison Lazarus
    24PR00651
    Waiver of Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.

 

  1. Estate of Joyce E. Varak
    25PR00229
    Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCE REQUIRED. Statutory fees are miscalculated as $5,065.00; The correct amount $4,615.10. The proposed order has been modified to reflect the correction. Any future court dates are DROPPED from calendar.

 

  1. Estate of Barbara June Rader
    25PR00245
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of William D Von Voss
    25PR00357
    Waiver of Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The verified Petition for Administration filed 4/1/25 states that the decedent died intestate.  A Disclaimer of Interest filed by Amelia Mina Voss states that the decedent left a will and trust that were administered in Kentucky prior to the opening of the present case.  The explanation that there was no “California” will located has no legal meaning.  Matter is CONTINUED to May 22, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12 to allow Petitioner time to file a Petition for Probate of Will for ancillary proceedings under Probate Code 12500 et. seq.

 

  1. Estate of Gail MacCarthy
    25PR00390
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Letitia Estridge Dolan
    25PR00692
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Joann Bernice McKean
    25PR01371
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to April 24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. Please refer to the updated Probate Examiner Notes posted in the case file on March 6, 2026.

 

  1. Estate of Christopher Ramirez
    26PR0052
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  Petition for appointment of administrator is APPROVED. Bond is set in the amount of $369,751.00. 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 May 6, 2027, 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.

 

  1. Estate of Frederick Allan Walker
    26PR00055
    Probate of Will & Admin WWA

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. No bond is required as the sole beneficiary 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 May 6, 2027, 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.

 

  1. Estate of Jason Arthur Windus
    26PR00057
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to May 1, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12 to be heard with a competing Petition. As objections have been filed, pursuant to local rule 6.2 (F)(2), the parties are directed to meet and confer and make a reasonable and good faith attempt to informally resolve the controversy at a face-to-face conference (which is deemed to include video platforms such as Zoom), if possible, otherwise by telephone conference. If the matter has not resolved, the parties shall each file statements of issues no later than seven (7) court days before the continued hearing date. Local Rule 6.2 F.3.

Petitioner Sharon Clark should also address the deficiencies listed in the Probate Examiner Notes posted in the case file if, following meet and confer efforts, she intends to continue to pursue appointment.

 

  1. Estate of Bill A. Taylor
    26PR00063
    Probate of Will

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. The Court notes the requirement of a bond for an out-of-state representative does not only function to protect the interests of the beneficiaries, but also to ensure the appointed fiduciary is responsive to the Court. The Court otherwise may find itself with no jurisdiction over the out-of-state fiduciary to cure breaches of duty, including to third parties such as creditors, the franchise tax board, etc., or to compel compliance with procedural requirements such as the filing of a final account and distribution petition after the assets have been marshalled.   In addition, rare though it may be, on occasion the identity of estate beneficiaries in a petition may be inaccurate, whether as a result of yet discovered facts or misrepresentations.  In any event, the purpose of requiring a bond for an out-of-state representative is much broader than as characterized by counsel in the supplemental filing of March 4, 2026.

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 May 6, 2027, 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.

 

  1. Estate of Shirley Virginia Turner
    26PR00068
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Bond is waived as all 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 May 6, 2027, 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.

 

  1. Estate of Katherine Marie Adkinson
    26PR00103
    Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to April 24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes posted in the case file.

 

  1. Estate of Bradley M. Zappa
    26PR00124
    Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. In light of the Notice of Stipulated Continuance and the Amended Notice of Petition, this matter is CONTINUED to May 1, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. Petitioner should also please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes posted in the case file, as there is presently no proof of publication filed.  In light of this, and the continuance requested only by the moving party, the Court will treat the May 1, 2026 hearing as the initial hearing for purposes of Probate Code section 1043 and the timing of any objections, assuming code compliant proofs of publication and service are filed in connection with the future hearing.

 

  1. Estate of Gordon Amrein
    26PR00127
    Probate of Will

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. 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 May 6, 2027, 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.

 

  1. Estate of Gary Archer
    SPR-83907
    Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.

 

  1. Estate of James Franklin Cotter
    SPR-090678
    Status Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is DROPPED from calendar.  The case was previously continued to January 21, 2027 at 3:00 p.m. in Department 12 for status update.  Petitioner is directed to give notice to all those entitled to notice of the minutes from the January 8, 2026 hearing, and to file proof of service.

 

  1. Estate of Donald A. Wiedmann
    SPR-097345
    Spousal Property Petition

Tentative Ruling:  APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  Petitioner shall submit a revised proposed order (see Probate Examiner’s Notes filed February 20, 2026.) 

 

***End of Tentative Rulings***

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