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
- 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.
Tentative Rulings
Honorable Bradford DeMeo for the Honorable Jennifer V. Dollard
April 4, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.
- Estate of Kathryn Ann Staines
23PR00124
Waiver of Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED, NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future case management conferences are DROPPED from calendar.
- Estate of Roberto Fabbro
23PR00230
Waiver of Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.
- Estate of Marjorie Ann Rodriguez
24PR00492
Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.
- Estate of Marjorie Nanette Pachadin
24PR00577
Waiver of Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to May 9, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes posted in the case file.
- Estate of Lenora Gertrude Williamson
24PR00957
Probate of Will
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCE REQUIRED. This matter is DISMISSED without prejudice due to the failure to comply with the Court’s order of December 6, 2024.
- Estate of Daniel West|
24PR00957
Probate of Will
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. No bond is required as 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 May 28, 2026, 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.
- Estate of Richard J. Haynes
25PR00141
Spousal Property Petition
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.
- Estate of Mildred Asta Paulson
25PR00187
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 May 28, 2026, 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.
- Estate of Donald Ray Lewis
25PR00188
Letters of Administration
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Bond is fixed at $480,000.00. 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 May 28, 2026, 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.
- Estate of Bryan J. Clum
25PR00190
Letters of Administration
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to May 9, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12 to allow Petitioner additional time to serve and file Proof of Service of form DE-121 Notice of Petition to Administer Estate and perfect service of notice by publication for the Amended Petition for Probate of Will in compliance with California Rule of Court 7.53(a).
- Estate of Jean Ann Pacheco
25PR00191
Letters of Administration
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Decedent was a resident of the City of Sebastopol, California. Publication occurred in The Community Voice which is published in the City of Rohnert Park, California.
This matter is CONTINUED to May 9, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12 to allow Petitioner time to complete publication in compliance with Probate Code section 8121.
- Estate of Mark Larry Silva
25PR00192
Letters of Administration
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to May 9, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes posted in the case file.
- Estate of Lester Hollenback
25PR00200
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 May 28, 2026, 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.
- Estate of James franklin Cotter
SPR090678
Status Report
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The Court’s tentative ruling posted on 3/7/25 stated that the Proof of Service filed 2/24/25 is illegible. A corrected Proof of Service has not been filed.
This matter is CONTINUED to May 2, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12 for Administrator to file a code compliant Proof of Service for the Notice of Hearing for the next hearing date.
The previously set Case Management Conference on April 24, 2025, is DROPPED from calendar.
- Estate of Shirlene Marie Gilman
SPR095748
Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED, NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future probate case management conference is dropped from calendar.
- Estate of Dennis M. Keating
SPR096634
Final Distribution
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to May 9, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12 to allow Petitioner time to address service to the Franchise Tax Board per Probate Code section 9202 (c.) Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes posted in the case file.
- Estate of Hugh C. Bullard
SPR-096660
Waiver of Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to April 25, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. The Court notes that Proof of Service for the Supplemental request for extraordinary fees was filed on 3/27/25. Matter is continued to allow sufficient notice to all parties.
- Estate of John Russell Plunkett
SPR097296
Waiver of Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.
- Estate of Melany Texeira
SPR097333
Waiver of Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to May 9, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. Please refer to the Updated Probate Examiner Notes posted in the case file.
- Estate of John Phelps West Jr.
SPR097718
Other Hearing
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.
- Estate of Carra Sue Gillis
SPR097743
Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED, NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future probate case management conference is dropped from calendar.
- Estate of Elise Jeanne Hepler
SPR097896
Waiver of Account and Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED, NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future probate case management conference is dropped from calendar.
- Estate of Vale P. Myles
SPR098019
Account & Report
Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.
***End of Tentative Rulings***