Probate Notes

Probate Examiners, Anne Holsinger and Michelle Warren, may be reached at Probate.Examiner@stanct.org . Telephone calls can be directed to the Probate Unit as set forth above. Emails must have the case identification information and hearing time/date in the subject line. No attachments will be opened. The Probate Examiner can only respond to inquiries regarding the meaning of comments in the notes. Please do not email to notify that documents have been filed, to request a confirmation whether documents have been received, or to request the clearing of notes. No legal or procedural advice may be given by the Probate Examiner in response to your email.

• It is the goal of the Probate Examiner to have Probate Notes posted five (5) calendar days prior to the hearing.
• Defects described in the Probate Notes must be corrected prior to approval of the moving papers. 
• If you are filing documents to cure technical defects, they should be filed NO LATER THAN FIVE COURT DAYS before the hearing.  Later-filed documents might not be reviewed prior to the hearing and could result in a continuance of your case.

Probate Notes will be updated as needed when late-filed documents are reviewed.  Please note:  Late-filed documents that do not contain the hearing date in the caption require more time and effort to be matched to the files.  This may result in an otherwise avoidable continuance.

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Please Note: "Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred)."

This language indicates that no one is required to appear at the hearing.  Probate hearings are open to the public, however, and anyone who wishes to observe a proceeding may do so. Appearances in most cases may be made in person or remotely, by telephone, using VCourt. For more information on how to appear by VCourt, please see the section "Remote Telephonic Hearings" on the home page of this website.
 

POSTED OCTOBER 10, 2025
The proposed revisions to the Local Rules of Court which will take effect January 1, 2026 are now available for download.  The public comment period will close November 17, 2025.

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 18, 2025; POSTED MARCH 5, 2025
Inventory and Appraisals:  An Inventory and Appraisal must be filed in all decedent's estates, conservatorship, and guardianship matters by a date certain pursuant to statute. If the estate has no assets at all as of the date of the appraisal (e.g., the date of decedent's death, or the date of appointment), an Inventory and Appraisal is still required and failure to file the form even when the estate has no value will very likely result in a required court appearance. For more information, those interested are invited to review the California Probate Referee Guide published by the California Probate Referee's Association, which is available for download online.

If more time is needed to marshal the assets, please see California Probate Code section 8800(b) and (c). Failure to file the Inventory and Appraisal by the statutory deadline, or obtain an extension of time, may result in penalties.

If the Inventory and Appraisal has been submitted to the probate referee but not filed prior to the Inventory Review date, the Personal Representative, or their retained counsel, may file a declaration attesting to these facts and provide an anticipated timeframe for filing.  The Court may, in its discretion, continue the Inventory Review hearing without required appearances.

POSTED JULY 15, 2025
Probate customers may view the documents in the court's files online by accessing the Case Search Portal on the court's website. Access to view confidential documents remains restricted.

POSTED DECEMBER 16, 2024
Please visit the new Probate Examiner's Corner section of the Probate Division webpage where you will find news, reminders, and guides!

POSTED SEPTEMBER 29, 2022, UPDATED 12/02/22

• Please help expand the list of qualified counsel willing to accept appointment in Probate matters, as either court-appointed counsel in Conservatorships pursuant to PrC§1471, Guardians ad litem, successor personal representatives in decedents' estates, and successor trustees. 

• For appointment as counsel in a Conservatorship, please see the list of qualifications and requirements found in California Rule of Court 7.1103 and 7.1105.

• Review forms PR004, PR005, and GC-010 available for download on the Common Forms & Packets page here: https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/common-forms-packets for more information.  Remit your completed forms to the Superior Court.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 03, 2025

Department 23
9:00 a.m.

PR-23-000725 ESTATE OF ANNA LETTIE MEVERDEN
Hearing on Second PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration reset on the court’s own motion per Minute Order 06/02/25:
Notice appears complete.
The Report reflects the personal representative’s belief that the estate required an additional one hundred and eighty days from the date of the Report (signed 04/21/25) to close the estate; that time has now elapsed.
Recommend court allow the estate to remain open.
Recommend court order personal representative to file a Third PrC§12200 Status Report (with Notice pursuant to PrC§12201) within 120 days if estate is not in a position to be closed.
Recommend court set Account Review Hearing 04/02/26. If no Report or Petition is on file by the next hearing date, the court may issue an order to show cause for personal representative to appear pursuant to PrC§12202.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

Department 22 
There are no decedent's estates or trusts on calendar

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2025

Department 22
8:30 a.m.

2200802 ESTATE OF NORMAN M. REYNOLDS SR.  
Discharge Review Hearing continued from 08/22/24, 12/18/24, 03/20/25:
Receipts of distribution of retains are on file.
See Local Rule 8.92. Form DE-295, Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge and Order, not yet submitted at time of review.
Recommend continuance to 02/26/26 to allow time for above pleading to be submitted.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).
 

PR-22-000667 ESTATE OF JENNIFER LYNN DUNN
Account Review Hearing continued from 04/08/25:
Executor was suspended from office on 11/08/24 for her failure to appear and failure to move this case forward and was subsequently reinstated on 04/08/25. 
On 04/08/25, the court directed Executor to file either a First Account Current (if the estate is not ready to close) or a First and Final Account with Petition for Final Distribution (if the estate is ready to close). Neither is on file.
Failure to abide by an order to present an account and/or failure to appear at this hearing may result in suspension, surcharge, and/or removal from office purs. to Probate Code sections 8500 et seq.
Appearance by Executor (self-represented) mandatory (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000063 ESTATE OF JAMES GORDON O’NEILL
Account Review Hearing:
Neither Petition for Final Distribution nor Second PrC§12200 Status Report are on file.
Recommend court order personal representative to file a PrC§12200 Status Report (with Notice pursuant to PrC§12201) within 90 days if estate is not in a position to be closed.
Recommend continuance to 03/12/26 to allow time for filing of above pleadings. If neither pleading is on file by the next hearing date, the court may issue an order to show cause for personal representative to appear pursuant to PrC§12202.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000487 ESTATE OF RICHARD R. BREHM
Account Review Hearing:
A PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration has been filed and set for hearing 12/10/25.
Hearing of 12/10/25 will be confirmed.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-001160 ESTATE OF VIEVA LAVERNE THORNTON
Inventory Review Hearing:
Final Inventory and Appraisal is on file.
Recommend Account Review Hearing 07/02/26 pursuant to Local Rule 8.82.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-001275 ESTATE OF GRAM FREDRICK ROTH
Inventory Review Hearing:
Letters issued 05/07/25. Inventory and Appraisal due 09/08/25.
Final Inventory and Appraisal not on file. See Local Rule 8.41 B.
Recommend continuance to 03/05/26 to allow time for filing above pleadings as requested by personal representative’s counsel.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-001350 ESTATE OF MATTHEW MCPHERSON
Inventory Review Hearing:
Final Inventory and Appraisal is on file.
•    Inventory and Appraisal omits characterization of decedent’s property [PrC§8850(c)]. This information will be needed prior to the closing of the estate.
Recommend Account Review Hearing 05/05/26 pursuant to Local Rule 8.82.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000027 ESTATE OF VICTORIA L. CALANTONI, AKA VICTORIA CALANTONI, VICTORIA HOLLOWAY
Inventory Review Hearing:
Final Inventory and Appraisal on file.
Recommend Account Review Hearing 07/07/26 pursuant to Local Rule 8.82.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000028 ESTATE OF JOHN ROBERT PENDLEY, AKA JOHN R. PENDLEY, AKA JOHN PENDLEY
Inventory Review Hearing:
Final Inventory and Appraisal on file.
Recommend Account Review Hearing 08/26/26 pursuant to Local Rule 8.82.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000243 ESTATE OF DOUGLAS B. PRICE, AKA DOUG PRICE
Inventory Review Hearing:
Letters issued 06/04/25 (delayed to secure bond). Inventory and Appraisal due 10/06/25.
Final Inventory and Appraisal not on file.
Recommend continuance to 03/05/26 to allow time for filing above pleadings. Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000262 ESTATE OF DENNIS J. LOCKARD
Inventory Review Hearing:
Final Inventory and Appraisal on file.
Recommend Account Review Hearing 06/30/26 pursuant to Local Rule 8.82.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000502 ESTATE OF HASKELL LEON MOORE
Hearing on First and Final Report of Administrator and for Final Distribution and for Allowance of Statutory Compensation to Administrator and Attorney for Ordinary Services and Reimbursement of Costs Expensed:
•    Notice to party requesting Special Notice not on file: Probate Advance LLC.
•    Please provide copies of supporting documentation regarding the Administrator’s request for reimbursement for expenses: utilities, insurance, post office box rental, dumpster fees, EIN, taxes. Documentation can include invoices noted as paid, receipts, or as a last resort – copies of financial account statements with all but the last four digits of the account number redacted purs. to California Rule of Court.
    o    Costs for shipping/mailing are not reimbursable.
•    Please provide a Schedule for Distribution. See Local Rule 8.65 and PrC§§1063(f).
•    Proposed Order incomplete:
    o    The Court’s finding regarding notice was omitted [see PrC§1260].
    o    Does not specify the amounts to be distributed.
See California Rules of Court rules 7.3 and 7.53 regarding the types of forms that may be used to address these defects.
Recommend continuance to 02/19/26 to allow time to cure defects.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).
 

PR-24-000820 ESTATE OF INEZ MUNOZ MAHON
Hearing on Waiver of Account and Report of Executor and Petition for Final Distribution:
The following defects in the petition must be addressed:
•    Paragraph 14 omitted a statement regarding interest bearing accounts [see PrC§1064(a)(5)].
•    Paragraph 19 (proposed distribution of estate) does not appear to agree with the Will in that the Will gives the entire estate to a trust and the petition for final distribution reflects that property on hand shall be distributed outright to three heirs.  
•    Computation of statutory compensation, including gains on sales, if any, is required even when compensation is waived (see Local Rules 8.69, 8.83 J). The calculator tool may be found online at https://www.stanct.org/calculator-tools. 
See California Rules of Court rules 7.3 and 7.53 regarding the types of forms that may be used to address these defects.
Petitioner may consider supplementing petition to provide the missing information.
•    Judicial Council forms are available for download here: https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/common-forms-packets 
•    Declarations may be written on Judicial Council Form MC-030 Declaration or on pleading paper. 
•    Proof of Service is Form POS-030.

The following defects in the Court’s file must be addressed:
•    Notice of Hearing not on file (PrC §§ 10830, 11000, 11601).
•    Proposed Order not on file.
•    Waivers of Accounting do not bear notary’s acknowledgement (Local Rule 8.69); Waivers must be filed separately (PrC§10954).
•    It appears beneficiary of estate is a Trust; Trustee has Waived an Accounting; Written acceptance of Trust by Trustee not on file [PrC§10954(b)(4)].
Recommend continuance to 02/05/26 to allow time to cure defects.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).
 

PR-24-001167 MATTER OF ELDON & SHIRLEY MAWYER LIVING TRUST DTD 02/25/25, MAWYER SURVIVOR’S TRUST DTD 08/25/22
Hearing on Motion to Compel Deposition Subpoena for Production of Business Records and Request for Sanctions:
SEE TENTATIVE RULING, to be posted day prior to hearing at https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/online-services/tentative-rulings/…

PR-25-000031 ESTATE OF MARJORIE LUCILLE SPEAKS
Hearing on Petition for Final Distribution, Final Report of Administration, Settlement of Estate, Allowance of Attorneys Fees, Allowance of Extraordinary Fees, Waiver of Account:
The personal representative reports preliminary distributions totaling less than $10,000.00, for which he did not first file a Notice of Proposed Action or obtain the court’s prior approval. See Local Rule 8.100 B, PrC§§10510, 10520, 11620. (Report paragraph 18). Submitted to court for determination.
Request for extraordinary fees (Report paragraph 22) submitted to court for determination.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000682 GEORGE DAVID LIVING TRUST
Hearing on Verified Petition to Establish Trust Ownership of Real Property and Conform Successor Trustee:
•    Notice of Hearing not on file.
•    Body of Petition omitted the names and mailing addresses of those entitled to notice (PrC§17201).
•    Proposed order not submitted at time of review.
Appearance by petitioner (self-represented) required (by VCourt if preferred).
 

PR-25-000967 ESTATE OF KENT PAUL GONZALES
Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration:
•    Waivers of bond on file from intestate heirs, however personal representative resides out of state. See PrC§8571. Bond may be required at the court’s discretion. Submitted to court for determination.
•    Proposed Letters not yet submitted.
Please come prepared to inform the court of the existence of any known California creditors.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred). 

PR-25-001019 ESTATE OF BETTY JANE SALLES, AKA BETTY J. SALLES, BETTY SALLES
Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration:
•    Petitioner alleges herself to be sole heir; petitioner resides of state. See PrC§8571. Bond may be required at the court’s discretion. Submitted to court for determination.
Please come prepared to inform the court of the existence of any known California creditors.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred). 

ADD ON:
PR-21-000308 THE JOHN AND LUPE OROZCO FAMILY TRUST
Status Review Hearing set on the court’s own motion per 10/30/25 minute order:
Need status.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

9:30 A.M.

PR-18-000116 ESTATE OF GUADALUPE A. OROZCO, AKA LUPE OROZCO   
Court Trial (six-to-seven day estimate):
Appearances mandatory.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2025

Department 23
8:30 a.m.

PR-24-000291 ESTATE OF MUSED MED ZOKARI, AKA MUSED A. ZOKARI
Hearing on First and Final Report of Executor on Waiver of Account and Petition for Allowance of Compensation to Attorneys for Ordinary Services, and for Final Distribution:
•    What is the status of the domiciliary estate proceeding in New York? Is it still open? Are there sufficient assets in the domiciliary estate for payment of sister-state creditors and administration costs? See PrC§12542.
•    It appears that there is insufficient liquidity in the estate to pay attorney’s compensation and costs. Please clarify how fees and costs will be paid. Are they to be paid by way of distribution from the domiciliary estate?
•    Notice of Hearing is on file for petitioner in her capacity as an individual (as an heir/devisee) but notice is not on file for her in her separate capacity as executor of the domiciliary estate.
Recommend continuance to 12/10/25 to allow time to cure defects.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

Department 22
8:30 a.m.

PR-18-000614 ROBERT ROHSLAN, JR. SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST
Account Review Hearing continued from 04/09/25 and reset on court’s own motion from 08/12/25:
Third Account Current and Report of Trustee not on file.
Recommend court issue Order to Show Cause to Trustee to appear and show cause why surcharge should not be imposed, and/or the Trustee removed, for failure to present Account.
Appearance by Trustee and Trustee’s counsel mandatory (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-22-000181 ESTATE OF WILLIAM JOSEPH HARTLETT
Hearing on Second Amended (filed-marked 08/21/25) First and Final Account and Report of Administrator; Petition for Order: 1) Settling Account and Approving Report of Administrator; 2) Allowing Statutory Administrator’s and Attorneys’ Compensation and Reimbursement of Costs; and 3) Allowing Extraordinary Attorney’s Compensation; 4) for Final Distribution continued from 04/05/23, 06/28/23, 09/19/23, 11/09/23, 03/14/24, 05/15/24, 09/10/24, 01/28/25:
REVIEW IN PROGRESS. PLEASE CHECK BACK

PR-22-000750 ESTATE OF WENDY D. MAYHUE, AKA WENDY DANELLE MAYHUE, WENDY DONELL MAYHUE
Account Review Hearing:
•    Neither Petition for Final Distribution nor (Second) PrC§12200 Status Report are on file at the time of review.  See Local Rule 8.82. 
Recommend court order personal representative to file a Third PrC§12200 Status Report (with Notice pursuant to PrC§12201) within 90 days if estate is not in a position to be closed.
Recommend continuance to 03/12/26 to allow time for filing of above pleadings. 
If neither pleading is on file by the next hearing date, the court may issue an order to show cause for personal representative to appear pursuant to PrC§12202.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-23-000155 ESTATE OF FRANK R. HERNANDEZ
Hearing on Petition for Final Distribution of Estate; First and Final Account and of Administrator; Petition for Allowance of Attorney Statutory Fees and Costs continued from 02/26/25, 06/26/25:
Objection filed – 02/24/25. 
Reply to Objection filed – 02/25/25.
Joint Status Report file-marked 06/20/25: Status Report refers to a loan the decedent had, which was secured by the real property. That does not appear to have been alleged in the Final Accounting; paragraph 6 of the petition contains the administrator’s allegation that all of decedent’s debts had been paid.
Joint Status Report file-marked 10/17/25: Status Report reflects both sides are ready to set for a three-day court trial, and that discovery is ongoing.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-23-000393 ESTATE OF EMMA LAVERNE EDWARDS DESPER
Account Review Hearing:
On 07/01/25, the court ordered the personal representative to file a verified pleading as to the following Probate Note from the Inventory Review Hearing. Not on file.
•    The total of appraisal does not appear to agree with Attachment 2. If the decedent’s interest in the property is one-half of X, then would the total I&A not also be one-half of X? Did the decedent’s surviving spouse elect to subject his interest in X to administration [PrC§13502(a)(2)]? If so, that pleading is not on file. Property not subject to administration is not included in the inventory and appraisal or in determining the personal representative’s and attorney’s compensation. See PrC§10800(b).
See Local Rule 8.82. Neither Petition for Final Distribution nor PrC§12200 Status Report are on file.
Recommend court order personal representative to file a PrC§12200 Status Report (with Notice pursuant to PrC§12201) within 90 days if estate is not in a position to be closed.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-23-000506 SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST OF STEVEN D. WILSON
Account Review Hearing reset on the court’s own motion from 08/12/25:
First Account and Report of Trustee not on file at time of review.
Recommend continuance to 02/18/26 to allow time to file the above pleading.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-23-001303 ESTATE OF VELMA ELAINE ADAMS, AKA ELAINE ADAMS, ELAINE WEST ADAMS, ELAINE W. ADAMS
Account Review Hearing:
A Petition for Final Distribution has been filed and set for hearing 12/02/25.
Hearing of 12/02/25 will be confirmed.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000324 ESTATE OF JOHN RALPH GRANT, JR., AKA JOHN GRANT
Account Review Hearing:
•    Neither Petition for Final Distribution nor (Second) PrC§12200 Status Report are on file at the time of review.  See Local Rule 8.82. 
Recommend court order personal representative to file a PrC§12200 Status Report (with Notice pursuant to PrC§12201) within 90 days if estate is not in a position to be closed.
Recommend continuance to 03/12/26 to allow time for filing of above pleadings. 
If neither pleading is on file by the next hearing date, the court may issue an order to show cause for personal representative to appear pursuant to PrC§12202.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-001121 MATTER OF MARIA A. GONZALEZ 2016 IRREVOCABLE TRUST
Hearing on Petition to (1) Compel an Account of Trust Assets; (2) to Compel Distribution of Trust Assets continued from 03/05/25, 06/26/25:
Notice appears complete.
Objection filed – 06/13/25.
Need status of discovery, possible mediation.
Status Report on file.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000130 ESTATE OF ROBIN LAUREEN JOB
Inventory Review Hearing:
Letters Issued 05/05/25.  Inventory and Appraisal due 09/05/25.
Inventory and Appraisal not on file at time of review.
Recommend continuance to 02/19/26 to allow time to file above pleading.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000288 ESTATE OF PATRICK CHARLES SAMUEL CRAWFURD
Inventory Review Hearing:
Final Inventory and Appraisal is on file.
Recommend Account Review Hearing 07/09/26 pursuant to Local Rule 8.82.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-21-001017 ESTATE OF KAMIL ABRAM, AKA MIKE ABRAM, MAJED ABRAM, MIKE IBRHIM
Hearing on (First and Final Account/Waiver of Account) and Report of (Executor/Administrator/Administrator with Will Annexed), Petition for (Allowance of Statutory Fees to Personal Representative and for) Final Distribution [sic]:
More time is needed for review.
Matter will be continued to 01/14/26.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-22-000911 ESTATE OF VICTOR DAVID VARGAS
Hearing on Report of Administration; Petition for Final Distribution; for Settlement of Estate on Waiver of Accounting; for Approval of Statutory Personal Representative’s Fees; for Approval of Statutory Attorneys’ ees; for Approval of Costs:
More time is needed for review.
Matter will be continued to 01/14/26.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred). 

PR-24-000047 A & T 2005 REVOCABLE TRUST
Hearing on Respondent Tina Marie Silva’s Motion to Expunge Notice of Pendency of Action:
SEE TENTATIVE RULING, to be posted day prior to hearing at https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/online-services/tentative-rulings/…

PR-25-000683 MATTER OF JEANNE MARTIN TRUST
Hearing on Petition to 1) Determine the Validity and Enforceability of a Creditor’s Claim Against Trust Property; 2) for Equitable Estoppel; 3) for Promissory Estoppel; 4) for Specific Performance; 5) for Unjust Enrichment/Restitution; 6) for Imposition of Constructive [sic]:
REVIEW IN PROGRESS. PLEASE CHECK BACK.

PR-25-001022 ESTATE OF CHARLES D. JONES
Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration:
Waiver of Bond on file for all intestate heirs.
Examiner notes some of the documents submitted for filing reflected an incorrect address for the court. Please note for future filing, the correct address is: 801 10th Street, 4th Floor, Modesto, CA 95354.  The correct address of Department 22 is: 801 10th Street, 6th Floor.
Recommend approval of petition as supplemented.
Recommend Inventory Review Hearing 05/06/26 pursuant to Local Rule 8.41 B.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001033 ESTATE OF WILMER D. ORIGEL, AKA WILMER DORADO ORIGEL, WILMER ORIGEL
Letters of Special Administration expire 03/29/26.
Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration:
Recommend approval of petition. Letters of Special Administration will expire.
Need new proposed Letters with all of the decedent’s aliases in the case caption.
Recommend Inventory Review Hearing 05/05/26 pursuant to Local Rule 8.41 B.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred). 

PR-25-001034 ESTATE OF JOSEPH MARION CABEZUT, JR.
Hearing on Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary:
Will is self-proving.
Recommend approval of petition.
Recommend Inventory Review Hearing 05/06/26 pursuant to Local Rule 8.41 B.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).