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.

1. Estate of Demetrios Moniodis
   24PR00758
   Other Hearing: Petition for Termination

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to June 26, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12 to allow Petitioner time to file proof of compliance with Probate Code section 9202(c).  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.

The Order to Show Cause is dismissed in light of the information provided in the declaration of counsel filed April 21, 2026.

 

2. Estate of Daniel D. Maderas
   24PR00809
   Waiver of Account and Report

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

 

3. Estate of William D Von Voss
   25PR00357
   Waiver of Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Matter is DROPPED in light of the June 12, 2026, hearing on a Petition for Probate.

 

4. Estate of Judith Ann Buxton
   25PR00456
   Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

5. Estate of Mary M. Meagher
   25PR01526
   Spousal Property Petition

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCE REQUIRED. Petitioner is to submit a new proposed order that distributes the properties to Eileen Banghart, executor of the Estate of Gary Meagher.

 

6. Estate of Richard L. Armson
   26PR00175
   Determine Succession to Real Property

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  The petition is DENIED.  The property at issue here is a mobile home, which is treated as personal property under the law in this situation, not real property, and it is therefore not subject to transfer under Probate Code section 13151.  Title transfer may be available under Health and Safety Code section 18102, or transfer may be subject to probate.  Based on the facts alleged, the Court is unable to definitively determine which is required, but it would appear probate is likely required here.  

The Court has considered whether to entertain the petition as to the property referred to in the deed attached to the petition, which refers to the land only.  As presented, there is insufficient information or manner to address the petition as to only the land, separate and apart from the personal property.  The petition does not state facts establishing the property was the primary residence of the decedent, repeating only the legal conclusion that it was.  This is also contradicted by item 4.a. of the petition which states that the decedent was not a resident of this county at the time of his death.  Even if that defect were cured, the residence would have been the mobile home, not the land beneath it.  The petition also fails as it is not brought by all necessary petitioners to this matter, in that it appears others are entitled to succeed to the property who have not petitioned. 

While moot given the above deficiencies, the will attached in support of the petition raises questions, as it is dated “1-27-14” on the top of the page but signed twice with the second signature dated “2-17-16” on the bottom.

 

7. Estate of Malcolm Fraser Tindall
   26PR00241
   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 July 22, 2027, 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.

 

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

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to June 26, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.  The Letters of Special Administration filed on April 3, 2026, are extended and shall now expire on June 30, 2026.  The Special Administrator is directed to file new letters with the updated expiration date. 

The Court notes creditor claims have now been filed but not yet accepted or rejected.   Should the need for letters of general probate administration become moot, a dismissal of any pending petition can be filed before the next hearing.

 

9. Estate of Joel Goldstein
   26PR00384
   Spousal Property Petition

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.

 

10. Estate of Charles Boyer Richards Cornelius
    26PR00400
    Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  In light of the Corrected Amended Notice of Petition to Administer Estate filed May 19, 2026, this matter is CONTINUED to July 10, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. 

 

11. Estate of Jennifer Ann Walker
    26PR00401
    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 July 22, 2027, 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.

 

12. Estate of Julie Canepa Kirkland
    26PR00406
    Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to June 26, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.  If counsel is able to lodge the original will prior to the current hearing, they should do so and request to appear for the purpose of presenting it to the Court and avoiding the continuance.  In that case, absent objections, the Court would be inclined to approve the petition.

 

13. Estate of Lyn Ann Cessna
    26PR00411
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Bond is fixed in the amount of $390,000.00. 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 July 22, 2027, 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.

 

14. Estate of Lorilyn J. Perryman
    26PR00415
    Determine Succession to Real Property

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.

 

15. Estate of Michael Joseph Vlastnik
    26PR00422
    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 July 22, 2027, 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.

 

16. Estate of Parker Monroe Briggs
    26PR00428
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to June 26, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.

 

17. Estate of Ardith Anne Waters
    26PR00444
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. No bond is required as the sole heir 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 July 22, 2027, 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.

 

18. Estate of Willibald Schroffner
    SPR-090849
    Other Hearing: Subsequent Administration

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to June 26, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12.  Presently, the only proof of service indicates service care of counsel.  There is no evidence that counsel represents those served in connection with this pending petition.  In addition, unless the Probate Code specifies that notice to a party's attorney alone is sufficient, notice must also be given to the person specified in the Probate Code. Merrill v Finberg (1992) 4 Cal.App.4th 1443, interpreting Probate Code section 1215 (service of rejection of claim on creditor). If the party is represented by an attorney, the notice must also be served on the attorney.  Probate Code section 1214.  Matter is continued to allow petitioner another opportunity to provide code compliant notice. 

The Court notes the status of the petitioner is currently listed in the petition as biological child of decedent, stepson of decedent and putative child of decedent. 

 

19. Estate of Sarah Grace Trafton
    SPR-096135
    Spousal Property Petition

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Matter was previously continued for Petitioner to address deficiencies listed in the probate examiner notes. Petitioner has failed to do so or provide good cause for the failure to do so. The Spousal Property Petition filed 2/4/26 is DISMISSED without prejudice.

 

***End of Tentative Rulings***