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
March 20, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.
- Estate of Deanna Jacques
24PR00765
Waiver of Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The petition is APPROVED to the extent it seeks authority to extend the time for estate administration. The Court declines to make the further findings requested until the conclusion of the case in connection with a petition for final distribution. Accordingly, the Court will not sign the proposed order lodged January 15, 2026. This matter remains on calendar for September 24, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. in Dept. 12 for status of estate administration.
- Estate of Donna Lee Martin
25PR00474
Waiver of Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future hearings are DROPPED from calendar.
- Estate of Thomas Edward Hall
25PR00475
Waiver of Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future hearings are DROPPED from calendar.
- Estate of Garry Henry Reiss
25PR00726
Waiver of Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future hearings are DROPPED from calendar.
5,6,7,8. Estate of Albert John Patane
25PR01028
Petition for Probate filed by Joanne Rizzardo
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to May 1, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. in Dept. 12. Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes posted in the case file. If the procedural issues are not cleared at least seven (7) days prior to the next hearing, the Court will deny this petition without prejudice. Also, as objections have been filed to this petition, the parties are ordered to meet and confer and to file statements of issues in accordance with the local rules.
First Amended Petition for Probate filed by Nina Patane
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to May 1, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. in Dept. 12. As objections have been filed to this petition, the parties are ordered to meet and confer and to file statements of issues in accordance with the local rules.
Petition for Return of Property, Surcharge, and Double Damages
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to May 1, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. in Dept. 12. In light of the declaration of newly appearing counsel filed March 13, 2026, the time for the respondent to object or respond to this petition is extended to May 1, 2026, so that the parties can focus their time and resources on their meet and confer efforts. Should the matter not fully resolve as a result of these efforts, the parties are ordered to file statements of issues in accordance with the local rules.
Petition for Instructions
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The petition for instructions is DENIED without prejudice to a noticed petition for appointment of a special administrator. Should the parties agree on a professional fiduciary as special administrator they may submit the petition ex parte.
- Estate of Verly Lau
25PR01070
Waiver of Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future hearings are DROPPED from calendar.
- Estate of David P. Winters
26PR00108
Probate of Will
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The Court on its own motion takes judicial notice of the court record in 23PR00241, in which case Petitioner was previously appointed executor for the Estate of David Winters. In that case, the petition to appoint Petitioner was granted on December 22, 2023 and a hearing set for April 10, 2025 for status of estate administration. Prior to that hearing, no estate administration was apparent, including even the filing of an Inventory and Appraisal. Accordingly, the Court required appearances. At the hearing, no appearances were made. The Court issued an Order to Show Cause (OSC) to the petitioner why he should not be sanctioned and/or removed for failure to comply with a court order to timely file an inventory and appraisal, 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 OSC was also issued based on the failure to appear at the April 10, 2025 hearing. The OSC was returned as undeliverable. At the hearing on the OSC on May 29, 2025, the petitioner and his then counsel appeared and the matter was continued to September 4, 2025. Prior to that hearing, no change in the status of the estate was apparent from the Court record. The OSC was again continued to November 6, 2025, with the additional direction from the Court that unless a petition for final distribution had been filed prior to the hearing, or good cause shown why not, the Court would consider revoking letters and the case would be dismissed without prejudice at that time. At the November 6, 2025 hearing, no petition for final distribution had been filed and no good cause declaration filed. The petitioner was sanctioned $1500, he was removed without a discharge, and the case dismissed without prejudice. Court records indicate a check for $1500 was returned for non-sufficient funds in January 2026.
On this record, the Court finds that the petitioner, despite being named executor, is not qualified for re-appointment as a fiduciary in this estate case. The repeated lack of compliance with court orders, non-responsiveness to the Court and to the duties and responsibilities of a personal representative of the estate are disqualifying in the Court’s view. In addition, as the petitioner was not discharged in connection with the prior case, he may be liable for any losses suffered by the estate as a result of his failure to faithfully discharge his duties as executor and therefore has an inherent conflict of interest, as reappointment would potentially place him in the position to seek recovery of those losses from himself.
The petition is therefore DENIED. However, the denial is without prejudice to a future application by a qualified individual for appointment as an administrator with will annexed.
- Estate of Beverly R. Herrington
26PR00109
Spousal Property Petition
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.
- Estate of Christopher Oaks
26PR00111
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 13, 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 Thuan Hoang
26PR00128
Probate of Will
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. No bond is required 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 13, 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 Clella Marie Gray
26PR00132
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 13, 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 Dawn Saxon
26PR00138
Spousal Property Petition
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.
- Estate of Virginia Ann Crawford
26PR00150
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 13, 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 Everett C. Arnold
SPR-091296
Waiver of Account & Report
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 Trola Mae Arnold
SPR-091297
Waiver of Account & Report
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 James W. Cowan
SPR-095436
Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future hearings are DROPPED from calendar.
- Estate of Berjouhy Toukhtarian
SPR-097804
Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future court dates are DROPPED from calendar.
***End of Tentative Rulings***