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

August 7, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

  1. Estate of Judith N. Paige
    23PR00249
    Waiver of Account & Report

Tentative Ruling:  NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  In light of the waivers of account, the Court accepts that the estate was entitled to the full value of the asset and has simply determined not to seek reimbursement of it from the trust merely to then distribute it back to the trust, such that there is not a loss for purposes of fee calculation.  The petition is APPROVED.

 

  1. Estate of Demetrios Moniodis
    24PR00758
    Other Hearing

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.

 

  1. Estate of William Wayne Craven
    24PR00954
    Waiver of Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.

 

  1. Estate of Bryan J. Clum
    25PR00190
    Preliminary Distribution

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  It appears that the distribution may be made without loss to creditors or injury to the estate or any interested person. This matter is CONTINUED to a Case Management Calendar on October 29, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in Department 63 for status of final account and distribution.

 

  1. Estate of Loudell Richards
    25PR00567
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Carol Ann Huffman
    25PR00945
    Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Marie E. Canale
    25PR01101
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Michelle Ann Duignan
    25PR01301
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Jaime Logan Smith
    25PR01339
    Spousal Property Petition

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to September 4, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.

 

  1. Estate of Jennifer Ann Graham
    26PR00350
    Probate of Will & Admin WWA

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  The petition for probate filed by Reginald Hindley on March 19, 2026 is DISMISSED without prejudice pursuant to Local Rule 6.2.C.2.c.  Letters of special administration shall expire on May 20, 2027 unless extended by order of the Court.

 

  1. Estate of Patricia Cowan
    26PR00452
    Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  The petition for probate is DISMISSED without prejudice pursuant to Local Rule 6.2.C.2.c. 

 

  1. Estate of Ricardo F. Fernandez
    26PR00528
    Spousal Property Petition

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  The Spousal Property Petition is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part. The Court confirms the one-half survivor's interest: The Petition is GRANTED as to part 7b.

The Petition is DENIED as to property determined to pass to survivor, part 7a, as it passes to the trust.  See Probate Code section 13501(b) and Probate Code section 850.

Petitioner is to submit a new proposed order that conforms to this ruling and incorporates the one-sixth interest in the property as stated in the Grant Deed.

 

  1. Estate of Carole Ann Sheeper
    26PR00622
    Determine Succession to R/P

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.

 

  1. Estate of Dennis Chew Leong
    26PR00715
    Spousal Property Petition

Tentative Ruling:  APPROVED.  NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.   The Court will sign the revised proposed order lodged July 27, 2026.

 

  1. Estate of Tamara Ann Davis
    26PR00718
    Determine Succession to R/P

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.

 

  1. Estate of Sandra Diane Madsen
    26PR00746
    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 October 7, 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 Yvonne M. Stieper
    26PR00762
    Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Bond is fixed at $302,000.00. 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 October 7, 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 Sandra C. Bassignani
    26PR00773
    Determine Succession to R/P

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to September 4, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes. The Court has received and reviewed the declaration of counsel filed July 31, 2026.  The Court treats the declaration as a supplement to the petition.  CRC Rule 7.3(5).  However, such a supplement “…must be signed and verified by one of the persons who were required to sign and verify the pleading that is supplemented.”  CRC Rule 7.104(b)(1).  The Court does not find that the exception in that section applies as there is no basis to conclude the attorney has personal knowledge of the facts stated.  (Evidence Code section 702).  If counsel can obtain Petitioner’s signature on a supplement prior to the hearing, they should file it and request to appear for the purpose of presenting it to the Court.  The Court is then inclined to grant the petition.  Otherwise, this matter is continued to allow Petitioner time to cure the defect.

 

  1. Estate of Everett C. Arnold
    SPR-091296
    Waiver of Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The petition for final discharge on waiver of account is DISMISSED without prejudice pursuant to Local Rule 6.2.C.2.c.  An OSC re Dismissal shall issue.

 

  1. Estate of Trola Mae Arnold
    SPR-091297
    Waiver of Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The petition for final discharge on waiver of account is DISMISSED without prejudice pursuant to Local Rule 6.2.C.2.c.  An OSC re Dismissal shall issue.

 

  1. Estate of Sarah Grace Trafton
    SPR-096135
    Sale of Property

Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED for confirmation of sale of real property.

 

***End of Tentative Rulings***