Probate Case Management Conference Calendar

If the tentative ruling is accepted, no appearance is necessary unless otherwise indicated. You must notify the probate clerk at (707) 521-6893 if you wish to be heard in response to the tentative ruling. You must inform the clerk concerning your appearance choice: Zoom or in person. Any interested party who wishes to be heard in opposition to a petition must notify all other parties of the intent to appear. Both notifications must be completed no later than 4:00 p.m. on the court day immediately preceding the day of the hearing.

Unless notification to the probate clerk has been given as provided above, the tentative rulings shall become the rulings of the court at 3:15 p.m. on the day of the hearing.  

To Join Department 12 "Zoom" Online

To Join Department 12 "Zoom" by Phone

Call 1-669-254-5252 (San Jose) and enter same meeting ID and password as listed above.

Guide for participating in court proceedings via Zoom for Department 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

Honorable Jennifer V. Dollard
July 23, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. 

  1. Estate of Ernest Bertolini
    23PR00242
    Case Management Conference

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  This matter was initiated in 2023.  This is the second Order to Show Cause (OSC) issued to the administrator.  This is the fifth status hearing in this matter since letters were issued.  There has been no response to the OSC and no change in the status of the case reflected in the court filings.  The administrator is removed effective the date of this hearing and letters are revoked.  He is not discharged and shall remain personally liable for any losses sustained by the estate as a result of breach of fiduciary duty to the extent allowed by law and supported by the facts.  This matter is CONTINUED to September 10, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. in Dept. 63.  At that time the case will be dismissed unless a petition for appointment of a new administrator has been filed at least seven days before the hearing.  The Court will require bond for any newly appointment administrator.

 

  1. Matter of the Robert G. Pitts Separate Property Trust
    24PR00226
    Case Management Conference

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  A DISMISSAL was filed June 16, 2026. Matter is dropped from the Court’s calendar.

 

  1. Estate of Amy K. Hanks
    24PR00441
    Case Management Conference

Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED for status of estate administration.

 

  1. Matter of Alberta I. Goetz Trust
    24PR00959
    Case Management Conference

Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED for trial setting.  This case was initiated almost two years ago.  This is the seventh time it has been on calendar.  The recently filed statement of issues indicates the parties continue to exchange information to narrow the issues in dispute, which the Court encourages to continue.  However, the Court will set a trial date at this time, likely the first quarter of 2027, which will still give the parties time to meet and confer and mediate if they so choose. Counsel should be prepared with time estimates and trial availability.

 

  1. Estate of Rita J. Shine
    25PR00258
    Case Management Conference

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Order Approving Final Account was filed 2/20/26. This matter is DROPPED from calendar.

 

  1. Estate of Jean Crichton
    25PR00400
    Case Management Conference

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Matter is DROPPED in light of the August 21, 2026, hearing on the Petition for Final Distribution.

 

  1. Estate of Patricia Williams Summers
    25PR00418
    Case Management Conference

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Matter is DROPPED in light of the July 24, 2026, hearing on the Petition for Final Distribution.

 

  1. Conservatorship of Barbara Anne Hextrum
    25PR01163
    Case Management Conference

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  The required forms have been received and reviewed and are satisfactory.  This matter was also on calendar for possible modification of visitation.  No party has filed anything with the court indicating a hearing is necessary or desired and rather than require the expenditure of resources by requiring an appearance, the Court will instead set the standard future review date in light of this.  Matter is CONTINUED to March 19, 2027 at 9:30 p.m. in Dept. 63 for review of the conservatorship of the person and report of the Court Investigator.
 

 

  1. Conservatorship of Leslie A. Douglas
    SPR78306
    Case Management Conference

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Matter is DROPPED in light of the September 11, 2026, hearing on the Fourth Account and Report of Trustee.

 

  1. Matter of Morton H. Gothelf Trust
    SPR093253
    Case Management Conference

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. While no update has been filed, the Court presumes that is an indication that the related litigation continues.  This matter is CONTINUED to July 8, 2027, at 3:00 p.m. in Department 63. Matter continues to be stayed pending the outcome of related litigation in Marin County and further order of this Court.  As to the length of the continuance, the Court notes this is the 23rd time this case has been on calendar since 2019.

 

  1. Conservatorship of Kenneth Robertson Dole
    SPR094824
    Case Management Conference

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Matter is DROPPED in light of the September 18, 2026, hearing on the Third Account and Report.

 

  1. Estate of Lennice Katherine Ambrose-Gordon- LEAD- CONSOLIDATED w/SPR097246
    SPR097310
    Case Management Conference

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  The Court considered whether to set a trial on the issues of the counter claims regarding rent due and credit for contributions to the residence.  But in the absence of a stipulation for trial on discrete issues, or pending contested pleadings, there is no procedural basis for the Court to do so.  The Court presumes the administrator will at some point file a petition for final account and distribution.  Should that include surcharges, which are in turn disputed, a trial may then be set. Matter is CONTINUED to February 4, 2027 at 3:00 p.m. in Dept. 63 for status of estate administration and final account and distribution.
 

  1. Estate of Gilbert Molina Reyna
    SPR097340
    Case Management Conference

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  In light of the information provided in the status update filed July 14, 2026, this matter is CONTINUED to August 19, 2027, at 3:00 p.m. in Dept. 63 for status of estate administration.
 

  1. Estate of Alfred Angelo Monighetti
    SPR097485
    Case Management Conference

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  In light of the information provided in the status update filed June 30, 2026, this matter is CONTINUED to August 19, 2027, at 3:00 p.m. in Dept. 63 for status of estate administration.  If a petition for final distribution and account has not been filed at least seven days before the hearing, and if no status update is otherwise filed at least seven days before the hearing stating good cause for the failure to do so, the Court will issue an Order to Show Cause re: sanctions and/or removal of administrator, and dismissal of the case, given its age. 

 

  1. Estate of Michael Martin Bell
    SPR097564
    Case Management Conference

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Matter is DROPPED in light of the September 4, 2026, hearing on the Petition for Final Distribution.

 

***End of Tentative Rulings***