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
October 2, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

1, 2. Estate of Donald Ray Lewis
           25PR00188
           Waiver of Account & Report/Other Hearing

Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED for hearing on the Petition. The Court notes that no Statements of Issues have been filed. The parties should be prepared to update the Court on the status of any meet and confers.

 

  1. Estate of David Lee Beach
    25PR00566
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Matthew Frederic Hunziker
    25PR00926
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Erik Christopher Pede
    25PR01049
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Rickey Allen Daniels
    25PR01230
    Other Hearing

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to November 6, 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 George David Guzman
    25PR01280
    Waiver of Account & Report

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

 

  1. Estate of Naomi Weinstein
    25PR01406
    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 16, 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 Mark Scott Freeman
    25PR01503
    Petition of Will & Admin WWA

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The Petition for Probate filed on August 10, 2026, by Casey Freeman is STAYED pending resolution of the annulment action in case 25FL01284 or further order of the Court. Any request to lift the stay prior to that time shall be by noticed motion. 

Matter is SET on January 28, 2027, at 3:00 p.m. in Dept. 63 for status of proceedings in 25FL01284 and possible lifting of the stay.

 

  1. Estate of John Clarence Tonn
    26PR00636
    Determine Succession to R/P

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to November 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63 to be heard with case 26PR01004. 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 Patsy Marie Roper
    26PR00682
    Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED regarding item 3h.3) of the Petition. If a declaration addressing the deficiency in the Petition is filed prior to the hearing date, no appearances will be required.

 

  1. Estate of Gary Enrico Gomes
    26PR00794
    Letters of Administration

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to November 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63.  Please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes.

 

  1. Estate of Robert Patrick Hamilton
    26PR00800
    Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED for status of meet and confer or possible trial setting.

 

  1. Estate of Jack Steven Nunez
    26PR00801
    Probate of Will

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Bond is fixed at $100,000.00. 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 December 16, 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 Kenneth Wong M.D.
    26PR00927
    Spousal Property Petition

Tentative Ruling: APPROVED. NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. 

 

  1. Estate of Ilya Zachery Patrick
    26PR00930
    Determine Succession to R/P

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

 

  1. Estate of Thomas Neil Cook
    26PR00946
    Letters of Administration

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

 

  1. Estate of John Clarence Tonn
    26PR01004
    Probate of Will & Admin WWA

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter is CONTINUED to November 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63. 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.

In addition, please refer to the Probate Examiner Notes regarding the filed PTN.

 

  1. Estate of Michael J. Deasy
    26PR01006
    Probate of Will

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

Petitioner shall also file a Declaration of Diligent Search for any potential heirs prior to the next hearing.

 

  1. Estate of William Cameron Leggett
    26PR01007
    Probate of Will

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

 

  1. Estate of Donald A. Wiedmann
    SPR-097345
    Waiver of Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Matter is CONTINUED to a previously set Court Trial on May 14, 2027, at 8:30 a.m. in Department 63.

 

***End of Tentative Rulings***