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.

1,2 Estate of John Scott Bulger

24PR00933

Other Hearing/Waiver of Account & Report

              Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. As the parties have not filed Statements of Issues, the Court presumes that the parties need additional time to finalize a settlement agreement.  Matter is CONTINUED to December 18, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63 for status of settlement agreement.

3. Estate of Ricardo E. Williamson Ruiz

25PR00671

Waiver of Account & Report

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

4. Estate of Robert Kim Ireland

25PR00908

Account & Report

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

5. Estate of Kenneth Richard De Brecht

25PR01190

Waiver of Account & Report

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

6. Estate of Rickey Allen Daniels

25PR01230

Other Hearing: Petition to Establish Heirship

              Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.   On August 4, 2026, petitioner filed a Petition for an Order Determining Persons Entitled to Distribution of Estate (Pro. Code §11700) -- To Determine Paternity Claim and Legal Validity of Unsigned and Undated Beneficiary Designation.  Notice of the hearing set for October 2, 2026 was duly given.  Prior to the hearing and at the hearing no objection was made to the petition.  Any objections are now waived.  See Probate Code section 1043.  An objection to a notice of proposed action was filed on September 4, 2026.  However, the proposed action was unrelated to the present petition, and the document is not legally sufficient to constitute an objection to the present petition.  It is unclear to this Court why the different judicial officer presiding at the prior hearing continued the matter from the October 2, 2026 hearing to the present hearing date.  However, that order was made, along with an order that the parties meet and confer and, if the matter was not resolved, file statements of issues as required by the local rules.  Petitioner’s counsel has complied with the Court’s order, as indicated in the statement of issues filed October 28, 2026. (The Court notes this was the only statement of issues filed.)  For the reasons stated in that statement of issues, and based on the uncontested allegations of the petition, the Court rules as follows. The Petition is GRANTED.  Chanowa Relyea has presented no offer of proof of any evidence that could be adduced at a hearing that Rickey Daniels was her father, as that is used in Probate Code section 6453 and in the law interpreting that section.  The Court finds that she is not a statutory heir and is not entitled to share in the estate.  The Court also finds that the Wells Fargo beneficiary designation form is incomplete and that the parties named therein are entitled to no share of the estate based on it.  The Court will sign the proposed order lodged on August 4, 2026.

7. Estate of Jack Lawton Dodson

25PR01342

Waiver of Account & Report

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

8. Estate of John Clarence Tonn

26PR00636

Determine Succession to Primary Residence

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Matter is CONTINUED to

December 11, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63.  The parties requested a continuance date of December 4, 2026 in connection with the Notice of Stipulated Continuance filed in case 26PR01004 on October 26, 2026.  However, that calendar is presently overset and the Court has continued both cases to the next available hearing date.  The parties are ordered to continue to meet and confer in this case and to file statements of issues prior to the next hearing as required by local rules.

9. Estate of Patsy Marie Roper

26PR00682

Probate of Will

              Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  The petition for probate filed by James Roper on June 2, 2026 is DISMISSED without prejudice pursuant to Local Rule 6.2.C.2.c. 

10. Estate of Gary Enrico Gomes

26PR00794

Letters of Administration

              Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The petition for probate filed by Kimberly Gomes on July 1, 2026 is DISMISSED without prejudice pursuant to Local Rule 6.2.C.2.c. 

 

11. Estate of James Frederick Chaimson

26PR00935

Probate of Will

              Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to December 18, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.  The Court also notes the will is not self-proving.

12. Estate of Frances V. Arfsten

26PR00994

Letters of Administration

              Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  For the reasons stated in the Court’s October 9, 2026 ruling, the Petition for Administration filed August 18, 2026 is DISMISSED without prejudice.

13. Estate of John Clarence Tonn

26PR01004

Spousal Property Petition

              Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to December 11, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63.  Please refer to the probate examiner notes.  However, timely service of the petition was accomplished per the proof of service filed September 10, 2026 and note no. 3 should be disregarded. 

In light of the fact the matter was timely served, objections were due at or before the initial hearing of October 2, 2026.  See Probate Code section 1043.  While the minutes from October 2, 2026 indicate that objections were made, none are reflected in the court record and the minutes do not reflect that an objection was raised at the time of the hearing.  Absent an error in the court record, or an agreement among the parties related to the time in which to file an objection, any objection is now waived.  It is unclear to this Court why the different judicial officer presiding on October 2, 2026 continued the matter for meet and confer efforts from the prior hearing.  But that order was made.  Despite the lack of any objection, the petition is not presently ripe for adjudication on the merits because of the remaining procedural defects outstanding as listed in the probate examiner notes.  The matter is therefore again continued.  The Court notes the matter may be dismissed without prejudice at the next hearing if the defects are again not cured.  See Local Rule  6.2.C.2.c.

14. Estate of Jeffery Edward Carrillo

26PR01064

Letters of Administration

              Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to December 18, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.  The Letters of Special Administration issued September 17, 2026 are REVOKED. The court order appointing a special administrator required proof of deposit of $30,000 into a blocked account as a condition of appointment.  While letters of special administration issued, there is no proof of deposit of the funds as ordered.  If letters of special administration are still needed pending the hearing on the petition for letters of administration, Petitioner may reapply.  As an out of state resident, the Court is likely to require bond.  The value of the estate should therefore be addressed in any renewed application.  Because the letters of special administration, granted by a different judicial officer, were issued without notice to or consents from the other beneficiaries listed in paragraph 8 of the petition for letters of administration, and because no security was posted for the authority granted, the clerk is directed to mail a copy of these minutes to those listed in paragraph 8, for the purpose of providing notice of the events.

15. Estate of James Matthew Tremari

26PR01079

Spousal Property Petition

              Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.

16. Estate of Myrtle von Dohlen

26PR01137

Probate of Will & Admin WWA

              Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. No bond is required 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 January 20, 2028, 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 letters of special administration issued on October 1, 2026 are REVOKED upon the issuance of general letters.

17. Estate of Johnnie Raymond Vandevier

26PR01139

Letters of Administration

              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 January 20, 2028, 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 Nancy Tomerlin Roscoe

26PR01140

Letters of Administration

              Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Bond is required in the amount of $570,000.  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 January 20, 2028, 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.

19. Estate of Robert Cono Di Pietro

26PR01145

Letters of Administration

              Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. No bond is required as the 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 January 20, 2028, 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.

20. Estate of Everett C. Arnold

SPR091296

Other

              Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Matter is DROPPED in light of the November 20, 2026, hearing on the Report of Status of Administration and Petition for Preliminary Distribution.

21. Estate of Trola Mae Arnold

SPR091297

Other

              Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Matter is DROPPED in light of the November 20, 2026, hearing on the Report of Status of Administration and Petition for Preliminary Distribution.

*End of Tentative Rulings*