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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

Honorable Jeanine B. Nadel on behalf of Honorable Jennifer V. Dollard
April 3, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

  1. Estate of Linda Ann Durham Lopez
    23PR00366
    Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Edwin Ronaldo Ajquiy Munoz (Son)
    24PR00956
    Waiver of Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  The Petition for Final Distribution is GRANTED. The Court will sign the proposed order submitted 2/4/26.

 

  1. Estate of Ervin Jim Bell
    25PR00251
    Other Hearing- Petition for Order to Deposit Estate Funds in Blocked Account

Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED. 

 

  1. Estate of Estate of Jay Gould Gilfillan, Jr.
    25PR00752
    Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Dennis Keith Larson
    25PR00834
    Account & Report

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

 

6,7. Estate of Maria Lourdes Hill
          25PR01313
          Petition for Order Requiring Production of Original Will; Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The court will not require the delivery of the original will/copies of the will pursuant to California Probate Code Sections 8200 and 8201 unless it is first determined that Sonoma County is the appropriate venue for this case.  The court has reviewed the statements of issues regarding venue submitted by the parties. This matter is SET for April 17, 2026 at 8:30 a.m., in Dept 12 for setting of a short evidentiary hearing to determine whether venue is appropriate in Sonoma County. 

 

  1. Estate of Naomi Weinstein
    25PR01406
    Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: The Petition for Probate filed by Deborah Zitrin is 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 June 3, 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 Pamela Jean Duescher
    26PR00161
    Petitioner for Order Authorizing Access to Decedent’s Email Account

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.

 

  1. Estate of Richard L. Armson
    26PR00175
    Determine Succession to R/P

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 Lori Ann Clark
    26PR00180
    Spousal Property Petition

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCE REQUIRED.

 

  1. Estate of Michael G. Ridgeway
    26PR00195
    Probate of Will & Admin WWA

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  The Petition is APPROVED. The Court will sign the proposed order submitted on 2/18/26 with the corrections as indicated in counsel’s declaration.  

The matter is SET on the May 14, 2026 probate case management conference calendar at 3:00 p.m. in Department 12 for status of estate. 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 Michael T. Knight
    26PR00198
    Letters of Administration

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 June 3, 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 Michael J. Sandbach
    26PR00201
    Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to May 15, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.

 

  1. Estate of Mary Margaret Doxiadis
    26PR00201
    Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED.  NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Bond is fixed at $408,000.00. 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 3, 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 William T. Deely
    26PR00220
    Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to May 15, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.

 

  1. Estate of Sarah Grace Trafton
    SPR-096135
    Spousal Property Petition

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 posted in the case file.

 

***End of Tentative Rulings***

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