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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

June 18, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

  1. Estate of Kathleen Clara Phillips
    24PR00150
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Daniel Manzoni
    24PR00480
    Waiver of Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to July 31, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.

 

  1. Estate of Lester Hollenback
    25PR00200
    Account & Report

Tentative Ruling:  NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  In the absence of an objection, the petition is APPROVED.  The Court notes that most of the expenses claim for reimbursement by the administrator appear to disproportionately benefit only those heirs living in the residence with no offset for rent due to their exclusive use of the real property.  As no liquid funds are listed in the estate, it is also not apparent from where the “reimbursement” will come.  The Court does not authorize an encumbrance on the real property as part of the distribution order.

 

  1. Estate of Ervin Jim Bell
    25PR00251
    Waiver of Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Any future court dates are DROPPED from calendar.  The Petition for Order to Deposit Funds in a blocked Account filed 2/9/26 was previously dropped from calendar without prejudice.

 

  1. Estate of Wayne Walter Webb
    25PR00597|
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

           

  1. Estate of Walter Matthew Hauck
    25PR00795
    Account & Report

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

           

  1. Estate of Vincent Troy Helper
    26PR00271
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The Court notes that the Affidavit of Publication filed 4/26/23 does not include a request for Administration with authority under the Independent Administration of Estates Act (IAEA). The Petition for Administration is APPROVED without authority under the IAEA. 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 September 2, 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.

 

  1. Estate of Richard Grant Sitton
    26PR00507
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling:  NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to July 17, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.

 

  1. Estate of Christine A Sabuco
    26PR00508
    Spousal Property Petition

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  The Petition is DENIED.  The requested relief is not legally available under the statute, and the “limited” relief is not available in light of the fact the will leaves decedent’s estate to her trust.

 

  1. Estate of Mary Nesvold
    26PR00556
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to July 17, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.

 

  1. Estate of Gregory Imm
    26PR00557
    Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  The Court notes a “Notice of Stipulated Continuance” was filed June 11, 2026, attempting to continue this matter.  However, the June 18, 2026 hearing is the initial hearing date for purposes of Probate Code section 1043 and the only hearing date listed in the Notice of Hearing.  The Court therefore does not entertain the “Stipulated Continuance” as effective.  However, the Court does entertain the document as a request to continue the hearing.  This matter is therefore CONTINUED to July 24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12.  Petitioner must file and serve an Amended Notice of Hearing, and any publication must include the new hearing date of July 24, 2026.  The Court will treat the July 24, 2026 hearing date as the initial hearing on the petition for purposes of Probate Code section 1043.  Petitioner is also directed to review the Probate Examiner Notes.

 

  1. Estate of Kevin Scott Caudill
    26PR00565
    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 September 2, 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.

 

  1. Estate of Nina Lynn Pedersen
    26PR00566
    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 September 2, 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.

 

  1. Estate of Freda Davis
    26PR00571
    Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to July 31, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.

 

  1. Estate of Jose Barrera, Jr.
    26PR00578
    Letters of Administration

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 September 2, 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.

 

  1. Estate of Richard James Badolato
    SPR-097146
    Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to August 21, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. As objections have been filed, pursuant to local rule 6.2 (F)(2), the parties are directed to meet and confer and make a reasonable and good faith attempt to informally resolve the controversy at a face-to-face conference (which is deemed to include video platforms such as Zoom), if possible, otherwise by telephone conference. If the matter has not resolved, the parties shall each file statements of issues no later than seven (7) court days before the continued hearing date. Local Rule 6.2 F.3.

 

  1. Estate of David Paul Badella
    SPR-097757
    Waiver of Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  The petition for final distribution filed 4/4/25, as modified by the settlement agreement of the parties, is APPROVED.  The Court will sign the proposed order lodged June 12, 2026.  Any future court dates are vacated.

 

***End of Tentative Rulings***

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