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.
Tentative Rulings
Honorable Jeanine B. Nadel on behalf of Honorable Jennifer V. Dollard
March 27, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.
- Estate of Jacqueline Worley Kemp
23PR00167
Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Petitioner submitted a supplemental filing to the First and Final Accounting. The Court will waive notice to heir Godfrey Worley. The Petition is GRANTED. Petitioner is to submit an amended proposed Order correcting the typographical error in Paragraph 19. The amended proposed Order shall also address the early distribution of funds to Anthony Parks in Paragraph 6. Finally, the amended proposed Order shall provide for deposit of funds in the County Treasury in the name of Godfrey D. Worley.
- Estate of James Frederick Lycett
24PR00410
Waiver of Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future hearings are DROPPED from calendar.
- Estate of Debra Lynn Moeller
24PR01039
Waiver of Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.
- Estate of Herman E. Woodruff
24PR01153
Waiver of Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future hearings are DROPPED from calendar.
- Estate of Timothy J. Riordan
25PR00457
Waiver of Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future hearings are DROPPED from calendar.
- Estate of Thomas G. Kampmann
25PR00837
Account and Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future hearings are DROPPED from calendar.
- Estate of Tilafaiga Faamuli Taape, III
25PR00876
Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The Court will sign the proposed order lodged November 12, 2025. Matter remains on calendar November 12, 2026 for status of estate administration and final distribution and account.
- Estate of Steven Jay Dewitt Sr.
25PR01255
Letters of Administration
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to May 15, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes posted in the case file.
- Estate of Donna Lee Guth
25PR01351
Letters of Administration
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to May 8, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes posted in the case file.
- Estate of Evelyn C. Harrington
25PR01391
Probate of Will
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The Court finds that the Declaration of Diligent Search filed 2/9/26 is insufficient. This matter is CONTINUED to May 15, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12 to allow Petitioner time to conduct an heir search and file the results with the Court. The Court does not require the hiring of an heir search firm, but does require demonstrable efforts equivalent to the services provided by such a firm.
- Estate of Francesca C. Alioto
25PR01402
Probate of Will
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Bond is waived 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 May 20, 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.
- Estate of Frances V. Arfsten
26PR00005
Letters of Administration
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to May 15, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes posted in the case file.
- Estate of Rose Marie Antoinette Weathers
26PR00096
Determine Succession to R/P
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to June 5, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. 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.
- Estate of Marilyn Sylvestri
26PR00149
Probate of Will
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to May 8, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes posted in the case file.
- Estate of Yvonne K. Lockwood
26PR00152
Letters of Administration
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Bond is set in the amount of $1,260,000.00. 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 May 20, 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.
- Estate of Cheryl E. Pappin
26PR00153
Letters of Administration
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Bond is waived 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 May 20, 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.
- Estate of Margaret Elain Marino
26PR00154
Probate of Will
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. No bond is required as 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 May 20, 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.
- Estate of Patricia Ann Duclos
26PR00157
Determine Succession to R/P
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to May 8, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes posted in the case file.
- Estate of Michael J. Greenwood
26PR00168
Determine Succession to R/P
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.
- Estate of John Anthony Lacombe
SPR-093479
Letters of Administration
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The matter is SET on the May 20, 2027, probate case management conference calendar at 3:00 p.m. in Department 12 for status.
- Estate of Sharon J. Cleary
SPR-095865
Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Matter is DROPPED from calendar due to lack of proof of service. Matter remains on calendar August 13, 2026 for status of estate administration. The Court notes the local rules allow a request to adjust bond to be submitted as a drop off ex parte. In this case, upon such application, the Court is inclined to reduce bond to $20,000.00 as the Administrator is not a resident of California. (CRC 7.201(b), Probate Code §8571.)
22, 23. Estate of Lennice Katherine Ambrose-Gordon -Lead Consolidated with SPR-097246
SPR-097310
Request for Fees/Other Hearing: Homestead Set-Aside
Tentative Ruling: In light of the 170.6 filed, the matter is CONTINUED to May 8, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., in Department 12.
- Estate of Gary Walter Peters
SPR096512
Supplemental Accounting and Updated Proposed Distribution
Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED. If service on Christopher Peters was timely made, by email no later than Monday, March 23, 2026, and there is no objection by him, the Court will approve the supplemental accounting and updated proposed distribution. Administrator shall submit an order after hearing consistent with the ruling.
***End of Tentative Rulings***