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 63 “Zoom” Online

• Navigate to website: https://sonomacourt-org.zoomgov.com/j/1603772262
• Enter Meeting ID: 160 377 2262
• And Password: 419097

To Join Department 63 “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 63:

• 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 August William Bennett
   23PR00012
   Preliminary Distribution

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCE REQUIRED.  It appears that the distribution may be made without loss to creditors or injury to the estate or any interested person. This matter is CONTINUED to a Case Management Calendar on May 13, 2027, at 3:00 p.m. in Department 63 for status of final account and distribution.

 

2. Estate of Thomas Lawrence Boggeri
   25PR00705
   Waiver of Account and Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCE REQUIRED. APPROVED except that the Court will require the distributions to the minor beneficiaries to be placed in blocked accounts.  The blocked accounts may be with any FDIC insured financial institution doing business in California State.  The future case management date of September 24, 2026 is CONTINUED to November 19, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. in Dept. 63 for proof of deposit of funds into blocked accounts.  Petitioner is directed to submit a revised order after hearing consistent with this ruling and a Judicial Council form MC-355 for each minor beneficiary. The funds may be withdrawn without further court order upon the minors reaching the age of majority.  If proof of deposit, Judicial Council form MC-356, has been filed at least seven days before the hearing, no appearances will be required and the matter will be dropped from calendar. 

 

3. Estate of Carlos Lopez Gallegos
   25PR00744
   Petition for Authority to Sell Real Property

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. 

 

4. Estate of Patricia Mae Furger
   25PR00792
   Waiver of Account and Report

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

 

5. Estate of Angelo Lawrence Pioli, Jr.
   25PR01424
   Waiver of Account and Report

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

Petitioner is to submit a new proposed order that includes the dollar amounts for the attorney’s statutory fees and costs.

 

6. Estate of Luis Fernando Mederios
   26PR00680
   Spousal Property Petition

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Matter is CONTINUED to October 16, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63 to allow Petitioner time to complete valid service on the minor heir and file proof of service. The Court is in receipt of a Proof of Electronic Service for the minor, but notes that the electronic service of the petition is not code compliant. Petitioner has also not filed a Proof of Service for the Supplement filed 8/20/26.

At the 7/17/26 hearing, the parties were also ordered to meet and confer and file statements of issues in compliance with local rule 6.2.F.3 at least seven (7) days in advance of the present hearing. No Statements of Issues have been filed.

Petitioner is to file code compliant service of the Petition and any Supplements no later than seven days prior to the next hearing. The parties are ordered to meet and confer and file statements of issues at least seven days prior to the next hearing.

 

7. Estate of Suzanne M. Borgert
   26PR00714
   Probate of Will and Administration WWA

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 November 4, 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.

 

8. Estate of Michael Scicolone
   26PR00796
   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. 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 November 4, 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 Shawn P. Moore
   26PR00841
   Spousal Property Petition

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.

 

10. Estate of Dianne L. Gaudino
    26PR00842
    Probate of Will

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

 

11. Estate of Ronald T. Sharek
    26PR00851
    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 $180,000. 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 November 4, 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 Alice Joyce Anderson
    26PR00852
    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 November 4, 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.

 

13. Estate of Michael Eldridge Loftus
    26PR00853
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Bond is set in the amount of $265,000.00. 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 November 4, 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.

 

14. Estate of Susan Weissgerber
    26PR00858
    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 November 4, 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.

 

15. Estate of Joseph Dante Panfiglio, Sr.
    26PR00862
    Probate of Will

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

 

16. Estate of Robert Hagerman
    26PR00867
    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 November 4, 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 Carl Wayne Loggins
    SPR093146
    Termination of Proceedings

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  Any future court dates are VACATED.

 

18. Estate of Michael Martin Bell
    SPR097564
    Account and Report

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Statutory Fees are miscalculated as $29,871.28; The correct amount is $29,821.28. The proposed order has been modified to reflect this correction.

 

***End of Tentative Rulings***