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

• 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.

1. Estate of Atticus Pearson
   24PR00311
   Waiver of Account and Report

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

 

2. Estate of Ryan Douglas Hamilton
   24PR00658
   Other Hearing

Tentative Ruling: NO APPERANCES REQUIRED. The Petition is DROPPED from calendar in light of the ruling on the Demurrer entered July 2, 2026.

 

3. Estate of Donald Ray Lewis
   25PR00188
   Account and Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to September 4, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63. 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.

The request for homestead is denied without prejudice.  Any such request should be made by a separate noticed petition and not in the middle of a final account and distribution petition.  Any renewed petition for homestead must be filed and served at least 15 days before the next hearing or any such request will be waived. The parties are informed that the Court would likely leave estate administration open for the duration of any homestead.  Otherwise there is no mechanism to address issues that arise, such as claims of waste, or neglect, or sub-renting, etc.  If petitioner asserts that estate administration should instead be closed, any renewed petition for homestead must address the legal authority for doing so, as well as the practical challenges that would result such as what mechanisms would exist for issues that arise, and how final distributions, such as child support, would be made upon the termination of the homestead.  The Court will not entertain the petition for final account and distribution until after it has ruling on any homestead petition. 

The “Response to Objection” filed July 20, 2026, is not a recognized type of pleading. California Probate Code §1000(a). The Court strikes said response pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure §436(b).

 

4. Estate of Barbara Guidici
   25PR00332
   Account and Report

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

 

5. Estate of Patricia Williams Summers
   25PR00418
   Waiver of Account and Report

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Petitioner is to submit a new proposed order that lists all assets to be distributed including the partial interests in the transport company and equipment corporation.

 

6. Estate of Eleanor Doros Guillaume
   25PR00644
   Other

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  The Court will sign the proposed order lodged June 1, 2026.

 

7. Estate of Thomas Sterling Ford, Sr.
   25PR01248
   Waiver of Account and Report

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

 

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

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. No bond is required 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 September 23, 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.

 

9. Estate of Marilyn Sylvestri
   26PR00149
   Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  Petition is DENIED without prejudice. Petitioner was ordered to complete code compliant publication but has failed to file proper Proof of Publication.

The denial is pursuant to Local Rule 6.2.C.2.c, which directs that generally no more than two continuances will be allowed.  This is the fourth hearing on the petition.

The Court has reviewed the Proof of Publication filed 7/17/26. The first Affidavit of Publication for the 7/24/26 hearing lists the first date of publication as 6/5/26; However, the Court did not assign the 7/24/26 hearing date until the 6/18/26 hearing which was after publication occurred. The second Affidavit of Publication lists only two dates of Publication which does not comply with Probate Code section 8121.

 

10. & 11.  Estate of Danny Rivera
                  26PR00407
                  Probate of Will and Admin WWA

Tentative Ruling:  NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  The Petition filed by Renee Rivera is APPROVED.  At the initial hearing on this petition the only objection was by Lorene Rivera.  The Court ordered any objection must be filed by July 21, 2026 or would be waived.  As of July 22, 2026 no objection has been filed.  The Court will sign the proposed order lodged May 27, 2026.  The petition filed by Gloria Kosbie is dropped as MOOT.

The matter is SET on the September 23, 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.

 

12. Estate of Irene Thimm
    26PR00525
    Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to September 4, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes. The Court notes the Petition and Notice request authority under IAEA, however the publication did not.

 

13. Estate of Gregory Imm
    26PR00557
    Probate if Will

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. No bond is required as the sole heir 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 September 23, 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.

The Court notes it previously ordered the filing of an Amended Notice of Hearing and proof of service in light of the change of hearing date.  However, it appears petitioner is the only person entitled to notice and he is not required to serve himself.  The Court therefore vacates this requirement.

 

14. Estate of Charles Donald Kuhn
    26PR00640
    Determine Succession to Primary Residence

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.

 

15. Estate of Jeffrey S. Wong
    26PR00641
    Determine Succession to Primary Residence

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED.  NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.

 

16. Estate of Denis M. Solan
    26PR00705
    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 $100,000.00. 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 23, 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.

 

17. Estate of Leslie M. Hunziker
    26PR00706
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. No bond is required 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 September 23, 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.

 

18. Estate of Suzanne M. Borgert
    26PR00714
    Probate of Will and Admin WWA

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to September 4, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.
 

 

19. Estate of Martin Aaron Hansten
    26PR00720
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED for the sole purpose of determining whether any interested party objects as a result of the notice served or publication.  The order granted by another judicial officer on July 2, 2026, did not allow an opportunity for any such objection.  This Court expresses no opinion on whether the July 2, 2026 order is void as a result.  For future reference, the correct procedural mechanism to address the situation that resulted in the earlier request for order is an application for letters of special administration.  

If an objection is received, the Court will vacate the July 2, 2026 order.  If no objection is received, the Court will then order Petitioner 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 will then be SET on the September 23, 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.

Any subsequent orders issued by this Court are in no way an endorsement of the original order resulting in letters having been issued before compliance with the law.

 

20. Estate of Penelope Ann Turrell
    26PR00722
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. No bond is required 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 September 23, 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.

 

21. Estate of Hendrik Peeters
    26PR00730
    Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED.  NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  No bond is required 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 September 23, 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.

 

22. Estate of Gayle Denise Davis
    26PR00738
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  The petition is DENIED as petitioner has not established standing to bring this petition.  Only an “interested person” may petition to commence probate of an estate of a decedent.  Probate Code section 8000.  An interested person includes:

     (1) An heir, devisee, child, spouse, creditor, beneficiary, and any other person having a property right in or claim against a trust estate or the estate of a decedent which may be      affected by the proceeding.
     (2) Any person having priority for appointment as personal representative.
     (3) A fiduciary representing an interested person.
     …

Probate Code § 48.  Here, petitioner does not allege facts establishing any of the above. And while some flexibility is acknowledged in determining the question of standing, to be an interested party the person must, at a minimum, hold some beneficial interest:  “In general, [t]o have standing, a party must be beneficially interested in the controversy, and have some special interest to be served or some particular right to be preserved or protected. [Citation.] This interest must be concrete and actual and must not be conjectural or hypothetical.” Hamlin v. Jendayi, (2024) 105 Cal.App.5th 1064, 1074, as modified on denial of reh'g (Nov. 12, 2024), review denied (Jan. 15, 2025) (internal quotes omitted).

 

***End of Tentative Rulings***