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

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.

Tentative Rulings

Honorable Rene A. Chouteau
September 24, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

  1. Estate of Evelyn Marie Hutton
    24PR00346
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

2,3. Estate of John Scott Bulger
          24PR00933
          Waiver of Account & Report; Other

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The Petition for Final Distribution filed by Paul Bulger and the PC 850 Petition filed by Maria Costa are CONTINUED to November 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63 to allow the parties additional time to finalize a settlement agreement.

 

  1. Estate of Joanna Martinelli Strang
    25PR00389
    Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  Petitioner is to file a Declaration in support of the request for extraordinary fees. If Petitioner is able to file the Declaration prior to the hearing they may request appearances at the hearing. If the Court is satisfied with the Declaration, it is inclined to approve the Petition. Otherwise, this matter is CONTINUED to October 23, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63 to allow Petitioner additional time to file a Declaration in support. 

 

  1. Estate of Diego Pacheco
    25PR00611
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Joseph S. Wang
    25PR00882
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Kin Rory Sanford
    25PR01220
    Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The Court notes that the Petition does not address whether the creditors’ claims filed in the case were approved or rejected. Petitioner is to file a Declaration addressing the status of the creditors’ claims. If Petitioner is able to file the Declaration prior to the hearing they may request appearances at the hearing. If the Court is satisfied with the Declaration, it is inclined to approve the Petition. Otherwise, this matter is CONTINUED to October 23, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63 to allow Petitioner additional time to file a Declaration addressing the claims.

 

  1. Estate of John O. Morton
    26PR00986
    Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to October 23, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.

 

  1. Estate of Deborah L. Bennette
    26PR00990
    Probate of Will

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 December 9, 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 Eric M. Oser
    26PR00991
    Spousal Property Petition

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to October 23, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.

 

  1. Estate of Sharon J. Cleary
    SPR-095865
    Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Matter is SET on the April 29, 2027, Case Management Calendar at 3:00 p.m. in Department 63 for status of estate.

 

***End of Tentative Rulings***