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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 Rene A. Chouteau
May 22, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

PLEASE NOTE:
ALL APPEARANCES FOR THE ESTATES/OTHER PROBATE CALENDAR WILL BE AT 1:30 P.M. IN DEPT 12, EITHER IN PERSON OR VIA ZOOM.
ANY PARTY WHO HAS REQUESTED  AN APPEARNACE SHOULD APPEAR AT 1:30 P.M., IN DEPT 12, EITHER IN PERSON OR VIA ZOOM. 

  1. Estate of Bruce L. Potterton
    23PR00358
    Account and Report

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.

 

2,3,4. Estate of Delia Claire van der Plas
              24PR00554
              Waiver of Account; Fees; Other

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Petition for Payment of Fees of Guardian Ad Litem are APPROVED in the amount of $3,633.00 to Alice Fishler. Fees are APPROVED to attorney Steven Klamm in the amount of $5,807.50 and costs in the amount of $472.00 for a total of $6,279.50. In making this determination, the court has considered the nature and difficulty of the tasks performed, the time spent, the results achieved, and the compensation customarily allowed by the court in the community where the court is located. The court will edit and sign the submitted proposed order.

 

  1. Estate of Robert L. Tallman
    24PR00762
    Account and Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to July 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12.  Petitioner is to submit supporting information re: details of fees paid to Thevoz and Partners law firm. Petitioner is also to file a signed agreement from Allison Brandenburg in support of the proposed unequal distribution or else a Supplemental Declaration in support of such distribution. Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.

 

  1. Estate of Jeanette A. McDonald
    24PR00794
    Account and Report

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.

 

  1. Estate of Mahathman Morya Da Silva
    25PR00093
    Termination of Proceedings

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED.  NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.

 

  1. Estate of Shirley M. Spencer
    25PR00448
    Account and Report

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.
 

  1. Estate of Beatrice Cottrell
    25PR00518
    Waiver of Account and Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to July 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12 to allow Petitioner time to submit proof of the Power of Attorney relied upon and that its authority extends to the act attempted here.

 

  1. Estate of Judith Anne Lane
    25PR00898
    Waiver of Account and Report

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED.  NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  Counsel is to submit a revised proposed order correcting page two of the proposed order.

 

  1. Estate of Jeffrey Abela
    25PR01217
    Waiver of Account and Report

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED.  NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.

 

  1. Estate of Frank Byron White
    25PR01258
    Account and Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The Petition filed by Cheryl Bigon on 4/7/26 is APPROVED in part and CONTINUED in part. The Petition is APPROVED as to the appointment of William ZUUR as successor Administrator. Bond is fixed at $9,206,447.64.

All other issues in the Petition filed 4/7/26 are CONTINUED to July 10, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12.  Petitioner is to submit a new proposed order that complies with this ruling.

 

  1. Estate of Lisa A. Green
    26PR00433
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to July 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.

 

  1. Estate of Katherine Ann Perdue
    26PR00436
    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 July 1, 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 Robert J. Perry
    26PR00448
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. 

 

  1. Estate of David John Pedro
    26PR00448
    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 July 1, 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 Patricia Cowan
    26PR00452
    Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to July 10, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.
 

  1. Estate of Barbara N. Goodman
    26PR00466
    Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to July 10, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.

 

***End of Tentative Rulings***

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