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Trusts

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 9:45 a.m. on the day of the hearing.  

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To Join Department 12 “Zoom” Online

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Guide for Participating in Court Proceedings via Zoom for Dept 12:

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Tentative Rulings

Honorable Larry E. Hayes for the Honorable Jennifer V. Dollard
February 20, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.  

  1. Matter of Lawrence Family 2004 Trust, Richard P. Lawrence and Carol A. Lawrence Co-Trustee and Settlors and the Peter R. Lawrence Irrevocable Trust
    25PR00848
    Petition concerning the internal affairs of a Trust and for Orders thereon including: (1) Determining Questions of Construction of Trust Instrument; Existence or Nonexistence of Power Duty, or Right, and Validity of Trust Amendment; (2) Ascertaining Beneficiaries and Determining to Whom Property Shall Pass upon Termination of Trust; (3) Instructing Trustee and Compelling Trustee to Account, Report Financial Information Concerning Trust Property and to Distribute Trust Property; (4) Suspending Trustee and Appointing an Interim Independent Trustee; (5) Removing Trustee and Appointing an Independent Successor Trustee; (6) Prohibiting Trustee from Using Trust Funds; (7) for Redress of a Breach of Trust; (8) Damages for Financial Abuse of a Disabled Citizen; (9) Allocation of Attorney Fees and Costs; (10) Quiet Title

Tentative Ruling: This matter is CONTINUED to April 24, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12 by stipulation of the parties. The parties are ordered to meet and confer and file statements of issues in compliance with local rules 6.2.F.2 and 6.2.F.3 in advance of the continued hearing. The Court notes that none of the concerns noted in the October 31, 2025 ruling have been addressed. Those concerns are restated below.

The petition is not verified in the manner required by California Code of Civil Procedure §2015.5. Substantial compliance with the verification statute is insufficient. See Kulshrestha v. First Union Commercial Corp., (2004) 33 Cal.4th 601.

All beneficiaries of the trusts at issue here are entitled to notice of the petition. See California Probate Code §§24(c) and 17203. Peter Lawrence, the petitioner, need not serve himself. Prob C §1201. Deborah Lovett and Elice Moran have generally appeared by their response filed October 23, 2025, so no further notice to them is required. That said, there is no proof of service as to any of the other beneficiaries. The petitioner is ordered to timely serve all necessary parties with notice of the continued hearing and file proof(s) of service.

In addition to that information required by local rule, the parties are ordered to address in their statements of issues the effect of the purported amendment to the Peter Lawrence Irrevocable Trust, which was not allowed by the plain terms of the trust. The parties should also address the purported third amendment to the Family Trust, which was made unilaterally by the surviving settlor, but attempted to amend portions of the trust that became irrevocable at the death of the first settlor to die.

 

  1. Matter of Jennifer R. Grandov Trust
    25PR00851
    Petition to Invalidate Trust Based on Lack of Capacity and Undue Influence; Verified Complaint for Damages for Financial Dependent Elder Abuse; Lack of Due Execution

Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED for trial setting. Counsel for the parties should be prepared to discuss trial availability and estimates for length of trial.

 

  1. Matter of The Pheil Family Trust
    25PR01219
    Petitioner Lisa Pheil’s Petition to Compel Accounting

Tentative Ruling: This matter is CONTINUED to May 29, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12 to allow the parties to address the Court’s concerns, as stated below. As this is now a contested matter, the parties are ordered to meet and confer and file statements of issues at least seven (7) court days in advance of the continued hearing in compliance with local rules 6.2.F.2 and 6.2.F.3

There is no proof of service of the petition. All trust beneficiaries and all trustees are entitled to notice of this petition. California Probate Code (“Prob C”) §§17203(a)(1) & (2). Trustee Andrea Wolcott has generally appeared by her objection filed February 13, 2026, so no further notice to her is necessary. However, the trust beneficiaries must be served. Per the petition, Timothy Phiel survived the settlors but died in December of 2022. If so, service to Timothy Phiel’s estate is necessary, and if no personal representative has been appointed, notice should comply with Prob C §17203(c).

The petition fails to state the names and addresses of each person entitled to notice of the petition as required by California Probate Code §17201. The petitioner is ordered to serve and file a verified supplement that provides this information at least seven (7) court days in advance of the continued hearing.

 

  1. Matter of Bonnie Thompson
    25PR01231
    Petition to Appoint Successor Trustee and Set Bond

Tentative Ruling: The petition is GRANTED. The Court will sign the proposed order lodged October 27, 2025.

 

  1. Matter of The Richard A. and Madeline R. Wallace Family Trust
    25PR01242
    Petition for Modification of Trust

Tentative Ruling: The petition is GRANTED. The Court will sign the proposed order lodged October 28, 2025.

 

  1. Matter of Penelope Day Klavinger Trust
    25PR01245
    Verified Petition for Breach of Trust and Fiduciary Duty; Compelling Distribution; and for Reimbursement of Attorney’s Fees and Costs

Tentative Ruling: The hearing is CONTINUED to June 5, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. in Department 12. As this is a contested matter, the parties are ordered to meet and confer and file statements of issues in compliance with local rules 6.2.F.2 and 6.2.F.3 at least seven (7) court days in advance of the continued hearing.

 

  1. Matter of Socorro R. Larson Living Trust
    25PR01471
    Petition for an Order Determining Trust’s Title to Real Property; and Confirm Asset to Trust

Tentative Ruling: The petition is GRANTED. The Court will sign the proposed order lodged December 17, 2025.

 

  1. Matter of Amanuel Hagos Special Needs Trust
    SPR097336
    Petition for Order Approving Second Accounting and Report and Approval for Trustee Fees

Tentative Ruling: The petition is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE pursuant to Sonoma County Local Rule 6.2.C.2.c. The petition was previously continued three (3) times due to notice problems, which are discussed in the Court’s prior rulings. On November 3, 2025, the sole person entitled to notice, beneficiary Amanuel Hagos, signed a consent to electronic service on judicial counsel form EFS-005-CV. The form was filed on November 4, 2025. The email address for service indicated in the consent is Amanusic9164@gmail.com. The email address used to serve notice of this hearing is incorrect. The proof of electronic service filed January 7, 2026 shows service to amaanusic9164@gmail.com. The wrong email address is used. This matter has been continued three times previously due to notice problems and notice remains defective.

 

***End of Tentative Rulings***

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