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

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 Rene A. Chouteau
July 02, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

  1. Estate of Brian Jon Bluth
    24PR00025
    Waiver of Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.

 

  1. Estate of Ralph Bass
    24PR00367
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Marion Geraldine Orr
    24PR00759
    Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future hearings are DROPPED from calendar.  The Order to Show Cause issued 3/20/26 is DISMISSED.

 

  1. Estate of Robert L. Tallman
    24PR00762
    Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to July 31, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12.  The Court is in receipt of the Acknowledgement and Agreement of loan signed by Victoria Colclough and Allison Brandenburg. The agreement, though, does not appear to include the FEGLI Life Insurance, JP Morgan Chase Roth IRAs, and Office of Personnel Management assets. Petitioner is to file a signed agreement from Allison Brandenburg in support of the proposed unequal distribution with these additional assets or else a  Supplemental Declaration in support of such distribution. Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.

 

  1. Estate of Beatrice Cottrell
    25PR00518
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Bruce G. Kenner
    25PR00616
    Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Peter B. Martin, JR.
    25PR00649
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Cynthia J. Pontes
    25PR00808
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Frank Kenneth Lacombe
    25PR00875
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Ardyce Theo Roloson
    25PR00879
    Other Hearing

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

 

  1. Estate of Terry Wayne Neisingh
    25PR01054
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Jean Ann Sachs
    25PR01127
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Lisa A. Green
    26PR00433
    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 $50,000.00. 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 September 2, 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.

 

  1. Estate of Donald Mardon Rosenthal
    26PR00536
    Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to July 31, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.

 

  1. Estate of Melinda Boley
    26PR00616
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to August 21, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. As a competing petition has 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.

 

  1. Estate of Carole Ann Sheeper
    26PR00622
    Determine Succession to R/P

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to August 7, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.

 

  1. Estate of Nellice Gillespie
    26PR00628
    Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to July 31, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.

 

  1. Estate of John Clarence Tonn
    26PR00636
    Determine Succession to R/P

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.

 

  1. Estate of Douglas A. Gunderson
    26PR00637
    Spousal Property Petition

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  The Spousal Property Petition is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part. The Court confirms the one-half survivor's interest: Petition is GRANTED as to part 7b.

Court DENIES the Petition as to property determined to pass to survivor, part 7a, as it passes to the trust. Petitioner is to submit a proposed order that conforms to this ruling.

 

  1. Estate of Betty Bernice Millman
    SPR-097616
    Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  Based on the Declaration of attorney James Allen filed 5/22/26 citing his nonavailablity, this matter is CONTINUED to August 14, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. 

 

***End of Tentative Rulings***

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