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
- Navigate to website: https://sonomacourt-org.zoomgov.com/j/1603772262
- Meeting ID: 160 377 2262
- Password: 419097
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
January 8, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
- Estate of Carl W. Branson
23PR00007
Case Management Conference
Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCE REQUIRED for status of estate and final account and report.
- Estate of Bonnie Jean Rosen
24PR00171
Case Management Conference
Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED for status of estate administration.
- Matter of the Ben Edward McCutchan, Barbara Louise McCutchan Trust
24PR0032
Case Management Conference
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to July 9, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in Department 12 for trial setting. The parties are directed to submit statements of issues at least seven days prior to the next hearing.
- Estate of David Gregg Castino
24PR00384
Case Management Conference
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Matter is DROPPED in light of the March 6, 2026, hearing on the Petition for Final Distribution.
- Estate of Marjorie Ann Rodriguez
24PR00492
Case Management Conference
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is DROPPED from calendar in light of the Order Settling First and Final Account filed on April 4, 2025.
- Estate of Paul Ciraulo
24PR00725
Case Management Conference
Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED for status of final account and distribution.
- Matter of Ava Harker
25PR01140
Case Management Conference
Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED for status of deposit of funds into a blocked account.
- Estate of James Franklin Cotter
SPR090678
Case Management Conference
Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED for status of estate administration.
- Estate of Christopher K. Dluzak
SPR095549
Case Management Conference
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. In light of the case management statement filed on December 23, 2025, this matter is CONTINUED to April 30, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in Department 12 for status of estate or final account and distribution.
- Conservatorship of Jan P. Young
SPR095641
Case Management Conference
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is CONTINUED to January 30, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12 to trail the hearing on the Petition for Letters of Administration in related case SPR096894.
- Conservatorship of Joshua Ostrand
SPR096379
Case Management Conference
Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED for status of the third account and report of conservator.
- Estate of Dorothy Eleanor Gallagher
SPR096851
Case Management Conference
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. In light of the status report filed on December 29, 2025, this matter is CONTINUED to April 30, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in Department 12 for status of estate or final account and distribution.
- Estate of Jan Pierce Young
SPR096894
Case Management Conference
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter is DROPPED from calendar in light of the January 30, 2026, hearing on the Petition for Letters of Administration.
- Estate of Norman Hartung
SPR096785
Case Management Conference
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Matter is DROPPED in light of the March 6, 2026, hearing on the Petition for Final Distribution.
- Estate of Edwin R. Armstrong
SPR097901
Case Management Conference
Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED for status of the Inventory and Appraisal and Final Account and Distribution.
- Matter of the Lindsey Family Trust dated June 13, 1987
SPR097962
Case Management Conference
Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. This matter, consisting of any and all pending petitions/cross-petitions, is DISMISSED with prejudice.
*End of Tentative Rulings*