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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
  • 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

April 10, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

  1. Estate of Bruce L. Potterton
    23PR00358
    Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Matter is CONTINUED to May 29, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12 to allow Petitioner time to file a Waiver of Accounting from Maxwell Potterton as well as Proof of Service or a Waiver of Notice of Hearing on the Final Distribution from Maxwell Potterton. Petitioner should also file a new proposed order that includes the names of the heirs.

 

  1. Estate of Frank Roland Unciano
    24PR00119
    Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCE REQUIRED. The Court notes that the proposed order does not comply with Probate Code sections 6401 and 240. While the Petitioner states that there are no current or expected future assets to be distributed, the Court declines to sign an order that does not comply with these codes.

Petitioner is to submit a revised order that complies with Probate Code sections 6401 and 240.

 

  1. Estate of Anastazia Sultan
    25PR00698
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Walter Scott Durling
    25PR00816
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Robert C. Engemoen, Jr.
    25PR01353
    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. 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 June 10, 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 Brian Kenneth Mariette
    25PR01396
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Matter is CONTINUED to May 15, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12 to be heard with a competing Petition for Probate.

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.

 

  1. Estate of Martin Petter Ringvold
    26PR00066
    Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Bond is set in the amount of $1,250,000.00. 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 June 10, 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. Matter of Sailor Murphy Funtanellas
    26PR00129
    Petition for Appointment of Successor Custodian

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to the Trusts calendar on July 17, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.  The Court requires a verified supplement containing the entire trust and any amendments, information about how and when Ramona Crinella was designated custodian, information about the minor’s parentage and why one of his parents is not better suited to the position of custodian or has otherwise not petitioned, whether bond should be required and in what amount (i.e., the current value of the funds), and the status of the funds for the past several years since the date of death of the prior custodian (i.e., who has managed the funds, if no one, is a custodian necessary, why? etc.).  Said supplement must be filed and served at least 10 days prior to the hearing.

 

  1. Estate of Pamela Jean Duescher
    26PR00207
    Determine Succession to R/P

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED.  NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. 

 

  1. Estate of William Nicholas Rozakos
    26PR00221
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to June 12, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes regarding item 5.a (all other issues have been corrected).

 

  1. Estate of Antonio Frongia
    26PR00222
    Spousal Property Petition

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. 

 

  1. Estate of Steven Anthony Dalton
    26PR00238
    Probate of Will & Admin WWA

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Bond is waived as all beneficiaries 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 June 10, 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 Malcolm Fraser Tindall
    26PR00241
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to May 22, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.

 

  1. Estate of Winnie Hall
    SPR-73463
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Veronica McCombs
    SPR-091413
    Preliminary Distribution

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. It appears that the distribution may be made without loss to creditors or injury to the estate or any interested person.

The matter is SET on the December 3, 2026, Probate Case Management Conference calendar at 3:00 p.m. in Department 12 for status of estate or final account and distribution.

 

  1. Estate of Douglas Jay Peterson
    SPR-096143
    Account & Report

Tentative Ruling:  APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  Some of the rates charged by counsel and the paralegal are not aligned with rates in the local community, but in light of the lack of objection, the Court has not reduced them.  In doing so, the Court does not intend to establish new rates. Any future court dates are DROPPED from calendar. 

 

  1. Estate of Randal Casarotti
    SPR-096951
    Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future court dates are DROPPED from calendar. The Order to Show Cause issued 2/24/26 is VACATED.

 

***End of Tentative Rulings***

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