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 18, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

  1. Estate of Josefina Rodriguez
    25PR00451
    Waiver of Account and Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Margaret Kathryn Panko
    25PR01004
    Waiver of Account and Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Alice Rogers Valena
    25PR01307
    Account and Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Julia Ann Triola
    25PR01315
    Account and Report

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 Evelyn C. Harrington
    25PR01391
    Probate of Will and Administration WWA

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. No bond is required as the sole beneficiary has 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 December 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 Vicki D. Lockner
    25PR01441
    Waiver of Account and Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Frank Schepergerdes
    26PR00012
    Waiver of Account and Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Gary Lynn Holmes
    26PR00554
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Bond is fixed at $250,000.00. While decedent’s siblings have waived bond, the children of decedent’s predeceased spouse have not waived bond. If Petitioner can file proof that children of decedent’s predeceased spouse will not inherit a share of the estate, or file waivers from the children,  Petitioner may file a request to revoke 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 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 John Clarence Tonn
    26PR00636
    Determine Succession to Primary Residence

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to October 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63 to be heard with a Petition for Probate in case 26PR01004. 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 Alexander Jigalin
    26PR00905
    Spousal Property Petition

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED.  NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. 

 

  1. Estate of Edward Paul Hoersch
    26PR00917
    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 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 Jeanette I. Orme
    26PR00931
    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 Mark Andrew Carpoff
    26PR00943
    Letters of Administration

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 Grant Terrence Wilson
    26PR00966
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Bond is set in the amount of $20,000. 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 December 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 Laurie Margaret Lovercheck
    26PR00979
    Letters of Administration

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 William P. Mori
    26PR00984
    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 Jill Lucas Shadek
    26PR00985
    Letters of Administration

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.

***End of Tentative Rulings***