Probate Law & Motion

Advisements

If the tentative ruling is accepted, no appearance by Zoom 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 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.

Tentative Rulings

Honorable Jennifer V. Dollard
July 9, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.  

1. Estate of Chris Christensen
25PR01223
Motion to Temporarily Stay Non-Judicial Foreclosure Proceeding

Tentative Ruling:  NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  The order granting the petitioner’s ex parte request to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) of non-judicial foreclosure proceedings required petitioner to:

1)  Prepare and lodge an order to show cause (OSC) within three court days of June 16, 2026, when the Court granted the temporary stay; and

2)   Serve the OSC on all parties entitled to notice including the lender, and file a proof of service at least two days prior to the hearing.

The June 16, 2026 order also stated: “As there is no request for preliminary injunction the TRO issued by this order will automatically terminate at the next hearing unless one is filed and served by the moving party.”

The petitioner has not filed anything since the Court’s June 16, 2026 order was issued. No OSC has been signed by the Court, no motion for preliminary injunction and no proof of service has been filed. The TRO is therefore VACATED and this hearing is DROPPED from calendar. 
 

2. Conservatorship of Lavell
26PR00028
Motion for Sanctions

Tentative Ruling:  NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  Motion is DENIED.  There is no proof of service of the motion.

 

3. Matter of the CW irrevocable trust; and the DW irrevocable trust
26PR00356
Motion for Change of Venue

Tentative Ruling:  NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  Motion is GRANTED.  Matter is ordered transferred to San Francisco County.  The parties are ordered to comply with Code of Civil Procedure section 399 to accomplish the transfer.  All future hearing dates are VACATED.  The requests for costs and fees are both DENIED.  Moving party shall submit a revised order after hearing consistent with this ruling.

***End of Tentative Rulings***