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 JANUARY 6, 2026
Local Rules of Superior Court of California, County of Stanislaus, revisions effective January 1, 2026, are now available for download.

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.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2026
Department 22
8:30 a.m.

PR-21-001242 THE MAXWELL HEINZLE SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST
Hearing on Motion to be Relieved as Counsel of Record filed by Trustee’s counsel, Ronald Hillberg, Esq.:   Correction: this motion is set for 08/18/26. It is not on calendar 07/29/26

Order to Show Cause issued on 03/19/26 to Roxanne Heinzle continued from 04/16/26:
To appear and show cause why Court should not remove her as trustee and issue surcharge for failure to bring account current.

Hearing on First Account Current and Report of Trustee and for Allowance of Attorney’s Fees continued from 11/01/23, 02/27/24, 08/27/24, 12/04/25, 03/19/26, 04/16/26:
On 02/27/24 the Court directed Trustee to bring account current.
On 08/27/24 the Court ordered Trustee to file an account current within forty-five (45 days) of that hearing.
On 11/24/25, more than one year after the deadline set by the court, the Trustee has filed a Supplement to the First Account bringing the account “current” to 10/22/24.
•    A Supplement may correct a mistake or omission, or add information, but it may not be used to allege new facts (such as to bring an account current). Please see California Rules of Court rules 7.3 and 7.53. 
On 12/04/25, the court directed trustee to file either an amendment to the First Account or an amended First Account and give new notice.
Nothing filed since last hearing.
Appearance by Trustee and Trustee’s counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).    

PR-23-000743 KAREN L. PAPPAS 2009 REVOCABLE TRUST  

3. Hearing on Petition for Approval of First Account and Report of Trustee continued from 09/26/24, 03/04/25, 07/08/25, 11/12/25, 01/28/26:
On 01/28/26, the court approved the settlement agreement; parties stipulated that all remaining petitions were moot and would be dismissed upon satisfaction of settlement, approximately thirty days from the hearing date of 01/28/26.
Nothing having been filed, if no one appears, the court will drop the petition for being moot and order the case closed.

2. Hearing on Petition for Orders Instructing Trustee to Take Proposed Action to Sell Real Property and Expunge Notice of Pendency of Action continued from 09/17/24, 03/04/25, 07/08/25, 11/12/25, 01/28/26:
On 01/28/26, the court approved the settlement agreement; parties stipulated that all remaining petitions were moot and would be dismissed upon satisfaction of settlement, approximately thirty days from the hearing date of 01/28/26.
Nothing having been filed, if no one appears, the court will drop the petition for being moot and order the case closed.

1.  Hearing on Petition for Instructions for Removal of Trustee for Breach of Fiduciary Duty, for Accounting and for Order Compelling Redress of Breach of Trust by Recession and for Order for Return of Trust Property continued from 10/12/23, 01/30/24, 04/11/24, 06/17/24, 09/17/24, 03/04/25, 07/08/25, 11/12/25, 01/28/26:
On 01/28/26, the court approved the settlement agreement; parties stipulated that all remaining petitions were moot and would be dismissed upon satisfaction of settlement, approximately thirty days from the hearing date of 01/28/26.
Nothing having been filed, if no one appears, the court will drop the petition for being moot and order the case closed.

Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000303 ESTATE OF GARY BURNETT, AKA GARY GENE BURNETT
Account Review Hearing:
A Petition for Final Distribution has been filed and set for hearing 08/18/26.
Hearing of 08/18/26 will be confirmed.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000636 ESTATE OF PRITAM CHAHAL
Account Review Hearing:
PrC §12200 Status Report filed and set for hearing 09/09/26. 
Hearing of 09/09/26 will be confirmed.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000020 ESTATE OF PATRICIA A. HARPER, AKA PATRICIA ANNETTE HARPER
Account Review Hearing:
A Petition to Terminate Estate Proceedings has been filed and set for hearing 08/18/26.
Recommend court continue this matter to 08/18/26 to coincide with petition hearing as an account review may be moot if proceedings are terminated.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000173 ESTATE OF TONY WILLIAMS
Account Review Hearing:
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.
Recommend continuance to 12/02/26 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-25-000174 ESTATE OF SHIRLEY ANN CLEVENGER, AKA SHIRLEY A. CLEVENGER, AKA SHIRLEY CLEVENGER
Account Review Hearing:
•    Neither Petition for Final Distribution nor 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 12/01/26 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-25-000754 GEORGE GARY VENIOT LIVING TRUST DTD DECEMBER 5, 2006
Hearing on Petitioner, Tawna Veniot’s Motion to Appoint Receiver continued from 07/08/26: 
SEE TENTATIVE RULINGS, to be posted day prior to hearing at https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/online-services/tentative-rulings/…

PR-25-000951 ESTATE OF GUSTAVO CASTILLO, AKA GUSTAVO CASTILLO DIAZ
Inventory Review Hearing:
Final Inventory and Appraisal on file.
Current bond does not appear sufficient. Personal Representative failed to file ex parte for increase of bond [PrC§8480(c), CRC 7.204].
On 07/24/26, the personal representative filed an additional bond rider is on file, reflecting the total bond was increased to $335,600.00, however there has been no court order increasing the bond.
Appearance by counsel mandatory, to address bond (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001289 MATTER OF ROY KLEIN AND VELMA EDNA KLEIN FAMILY TRUST
Hearing on Petition for 1. Cancellation of Instrument (Undue Influence; Lack of Capacity); 2. Trust Accounting; 3. Removal of Trustee; 4. Financial Elder Abuse; 5. Constructive Fraud; 6. Return of Trust Assets; 7. Unjust Enrichment continued from 03/24/26:
Nothing filed since previous hearing. Prior Notes remain:
•    Need copies of the original Trust, and the First, Second, and Third Amendments to the Trust if they do not completely restate the Trust.
•    Please then identify the particular Trust provisions at issue.
•    Please include street addresses, assessor’s parcel numbers, and the legal description of both assets identified in Petition paragraph 24.
•    Is petitioner aware of the date the Trustor was diagnosed as lacking capacity, or of the name of the doctor who made the diagnosis? (Petition paragraphs 2, 17)
•    Is petitioner aware of the name of the attorney who was alleged to have assisted in creating at least one of the Trust amendments? (Petition paragraph 20).
•    Who asked the Trustee to provide accountings, by what method, and when? (Petition paragraphs 26, 35).
•    From what specific start date does Petitioner seek an accounting?
•    Which specific assets does petitioner seek to have transferred back to the Trust?
•    What amount of damages is petitioner seeking?
•    Does the Trust identify an alternate successor Trustee? If not, it appears necessary for the court to set a bond. See PrC§15602(a)(3).
•    Notice of Hearing not on file. See PrC§851 and CCP§§413.10 et seq.
Recommend court issue Order to Show Cause to petitioner to appear at the next hearing and show cause why the case should not be dismissed for failure to cure defects.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001325 ESTATE OF PAUL SCOTT ICHORD, AKA PAUL ICHORD
Inventory Review Hearing:
Letters issued 02/02/26. The court has granted an extension of time for filing the Final Inventory and Appraisal, to 10/01/26.
Recommend Account Review Hearing 03/17/27 when PrC§12200 Status Report will be due, if Petition for Final Distribution is not on file. 
Inventory and Appraisal must be filed before next hearing.
See Local Rules 8.82 and 8.41 B.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001344 JOHN AND CAMILLE NELSON TRUST
Hearing on Petition Regarding Internal Affairs of a Trust, for Removal and Appointment of Trustee, for Accounting; for Disinheritance of Beneficiary; for Dependent Adult Financial Abuse; for Return Property Owned by Another; Double Damages; and for Attorney Fees continued from 03/25/26:
Response/Objection filed – 07/22/26 (by Vanessa Vingrys, Trustee)

Prior defects in the petition have been cured.
•    Proposed order not yet submitted.
Hearing Required.
Appearances required (by VCourt if preferred).
 

PR-24-000295 ESTATE OF GERALDINE KITCHENS, AKA GERALDINE SANTOS
Hearing on PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration:
Notice appears complete.
Report is not particularly detailed, but does include a reason why the estate is not ready to close and a request that the estate remain open a further nine months.
Recommend court allow estate to remain open and set a further Account Review Hearing 05/26/27.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000587 ESTATE OF ANNE LANGFORD, AKA ANNIE IRENE LANGFORD
Hearing on Petition for Approval of Supplemental Accounting of Reserve:
Recommend approval of petition and accounting.
Recommend court vacate Account Review Hearing of 10/22/26.
Recommend Discharge Review Hearing 01/27/27.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001094 ESTATE OF MARK CHRISTOPHER WALLACE, AKA MARK C. WALLACE
Hearing on First and Final Report of Administrator with Will Annexed on Waiver of Account and Petition for Allowance of Statutory Compensation to Attorney, and for Final Distribution:
For future filings, please attach a separate schedule for proposed distribution, required even when accounting is waived per Local Rules 8.69 and 8.83M. 
Recommend approval of petition as supplemented.
Recommend Discharge Review Hearing 01/27/27 pursuant to Local Rule 8.92.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).
 

PR-25-001101 MATTER OF MATTHEW EOFF, OR MATTER OF DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY OF RUFUS SANTOS, PRINCIPAL
Hearing on Motion to Compel Initial Responses and Production to Requests for Production, Set Two; Request for Monetary Sanctions:
SEE TENTATIVE RULING, to be posted day prior to hearing at https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/online-services/tentative-rulings/…

PR-26-000567 MATTER OF WILLIAM M. KNEASS REVOCABLE TRUST
Hearing on Petition for Appointment of Successor Trustee and Acceptance of Resignation of Trustee:
•    Exhibit G was not attached (petitioner’s conditional resignation).
It appears necessary that the court set a bond pursuant to PrC§15602(a)(3), however petitioner prays that court appoint the successor trustee without requiring a bond.
Hearing required.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-26-000628 ESTATE OF SCHU CHU
Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration:
Waivers of Bond on file from all intestate heirs.
•    Item 8 did not include the name and date of death of decedent’s predeceased spouse.
•    Item 8 did not properly label the proposed personal representative (Local Rule 8.26 D).
See California Rules of Court rules 7.3 and 7.53 regarding the types of pleadings that may be used to address these defects.
•    Form DE-147 Duties and Liabilities not on file.
•    Affidavit of publication not on file. See Local Rule 8.12.
•    Form DE-150, Letters, not yet submitted.
Recommend continuance to 09/0426 to allow time to cure defects.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-26-000631 ESTATE OF DOUGLAS FERRELL JONES
Hearing on Petition to Determine Succession to Primary Residence:
•    Please provide a copy of the recorded Affidavit of Death of Joint Tenant described in Attachment 11.
•    Copy of the deed demonstrating current title not attached; see Local Rule 8.99 B.
•    Proof of mailing not on file for the Department of Health Care Services, nor Declaration that notice is not required (see Local Rule 8.17 and PrC§215).
•    Proposed Order not yet submitted.
Recommend continuance to 08/28/26 to allow time to cure defects.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-26-000633 ESTATE OF FRANCINE CHARLOTTE JOHNSON
Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration:

Defects in the Petition, Form DE-111:
• The caption (title) of this form appears to misspell the decedent’s first name.
• Heading of petition page 1 omitted checkmark in box “Authorization to Administer Under the Independent Administration of Estates Act”.
• Item 1 did not name the newspaper where the petitioner intends to or has already published notice as required by Probate Code section 8120 et sequence and Local Rule 8.12. Please see list of Stanislaus County newspapers on the court’s website here: https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/divisions/probate/newspapers
• Item 3e was left blank (reasons why a bond would not be required, as the petitioner has requested a bond not be required).
      o    Full bond would be $614,000.00 based on estimated value of decedent’s estate alleged in the petition. Please review Probate Code sections 8480 et seq. regarding necessity of bond, and Judicial Council Form DE-142, Waiver of Bond.
• Item 5a(1) or (2) was left blank (existence of spouse).
• Item 5a(3) or (4) was left blank (existence of registered domestic partner).
• Item 5a(7) or (8) was left blank (existence of issue of a predeceased child).
• Need dates of death of all deceased persons listed in petition item 8.
      o    Was the deceased son survived by children?
Please see California Rules of Court rule 7.3 for the types of pleadings that petitioner may use to address the above Notes, and rule 7.53 for the form of service or notice required for each pleading defined in rule 7.3.

Defects in the file:
• Form DE-147 Duties and Liabilities not on file.
• Form DE-121, Notice of Petition, not on file. See Probate Code section 8100 et seq. 
• Affidavit of publication not on file. See Pr. Code §§ 8120 et seq. and Local Rule 8.12.
• Forms DE-140 and DE-150, Proposed Order and Letters, not submitted.

Consider visiting the California Courts Self Help page at
https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/probate and downloading forms from https://www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm
Appearance by petitioner (self-represented) required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-26-000639 ESTATE OF FAKEHA NAGI DABWAN, AKA FAKAHA DABWAN
Hearing on Spousal Property Petition:
• Attachment 7a/7b of the Petition: the legal description of the property that starts on page 2 of this Attachment appears to contain a typographical error. Examination of the attached Grant Deed indicates that the legal description of Parcel One begins “Lot 18”, not “Lot 10”.
      o    The proposed Order also states “Lot 10”.
• Please include the fractions or percentage of ownership interest each spouse has/had in the properties listed in Attachments 7a and 7b; review of the attached grant deeds reflects that each spouse’s interest in at least one property is or may each be less than 50%. [Please consider changing your office’s practice of including the Attachments on the same page (as Attachment 7a/7b but with a single sentence, e.g.: “as to husband’s share and as to wife’s share”).] See Local Rule 8.98 A.
• Proposed Order has a similar issue: again, the attachments are combined and reflect the order of ½ of decedent’s interest and ½ of spouse’s interest, however, one of the deeds attached to the petition appears to reflect that each spouse’s share in that property is less than 50%.
Recommend continuance to 08/28/26 to allow time to cure defects.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-26-000655 ESTATE OF ROBERT ANDREW HECTOR, AKA ROBERT A. HECTOR
Hearing on Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary:
Will is not self-proving.  Proof of Subscribing Witness on file.
Recommend approval of petition and admission of will to probate.
Recommend Inventory Review Hearing 02/02/27 pursuant to Local Rule 8.41 B.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-26-000660 ESTATE OF FERNANDA CABRERA
Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration:
Objection filed – 07/13/26 (by Frank Cabrera and Georgine Seaver)
Reply to Objection filed – 07/23/26 (by Laureen Cabrera Aguayo and Olga Cabrera Johnson) with Amended Declaration in Support of Reply to Objection
Requested bond of $220,000.00 appears adequate based on estimated value of estate alleged in the petition.
Need new order.
Hearing required.
Appearance by petitioners’ counsel and Objectors’ counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).
 

THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2026
Department 22
8:30 a.m.

PR-22-000327 ESTATE OF WILLIAM CARL SILVA
Discharge Review Hearing: 
Form DE-295, Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge and Order, has not been submitted yet.
Recommend continuance to 12/15/26 as requested by counsel in the 07/23/26 Declaration.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-22-000911 ESTATE OF VICTOR DAVID VARGAS
Discharge Review Hearing: 
Form DE-295, Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge and Order, has not been submitted yet.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-23-000289 MATTER OF MACHADO FAMILY CREDIT BYPASS TRUST

Hearing on Motion for Consolidation of Trials of Related Actions continued from 07/07/26:
SEE TENTATIVE RULING, to be posted day prior to hearing at https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/online-services/tentative-rulings/…

Hearing on Motion to Quash Subpoena for Business Records or, in the Alternative, to Modify or Limit the Subpoena, and for Monetary Sanctions continued from 07/21/26:
SEE TENTATIVE RULING, to be posted day prior to hearing at https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/online-services/tentative-rulings/…

PR-23-000611 ESTATE OF AMADOR E. NAVARRO, JR.
Hearing on Order to Show Cause issued 03/26/26 to Administrator’s counsel:
•    To appear and show cause why sanctions should not be imposed for failure to appear on 03/26/26 and for failure to submit proposed order for discharge.
Failure to appear at this hearing may result in sanctions against the attorney, and the issuance of an Order to Show Cause to the Administrator to appear and show cause why the court should not impose sanctions or surcharge, and/or remove the personal representative from office.

Discharge Review Hearing continued from 03/26/26:
Nothing filed since previous hearing. Prior Notes remain:
Form DE-295, Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge and Order, not yet submitted.
Appearance by counsel mandatory (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-23-000640 ESTATE OF MARIA DE REFUGIO JAUREGUI
(1)    Order to Show Cause issued 03/26/26 to Thomas Bonte, Esq.:
To appear and explain his failure to appear at the 03/26/26 hearing and failure to file Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge. 
The Order to Show cause will be discharged pursuant to the court’s minute order dated 03/26/26 as counsel has submitted Form DE-295 with Declarations.

(2)    Discharge Review Hearing continued from 12/18/25, 03/26/26:
Receipts on distribution not on file.
Form DE-295, Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge and Order, has been submitted and recommended for approval.
The order to show cause and discharge review hearings will be vacated.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).
 

PR-23-000764 ESTATE OF KENNETH CAPERTON
Discharge Review Hearing: 
Receipts on distribution not on file.
Form DE-295, Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge and Order, not yet submitted.
Recommend continuance to 10/22/26 to allow time to file the above pleadings.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-23-001350 ESTATE OF PAUL L. CALKINS, AKA PAUL LAWRENCE CALKINS
Discharge Review Hearing: 
Receipts on distribution not on file.
Form DE-295, Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge and Order, not yet submitted.
Recommend continuance to 10/22/26 to allow time to file the above pleadings.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000086 ESTATE OF GEORGE EDWARD COSTA, JR.
(1)    Order to Show Cause issued 03/26/26 to Thomas Bonte, Esq.:
To appear and show cause why the Court should not issue sanctions for the failure to appear at the 03/26/26 hearing and failure to file Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge. 
Failure to appear at this hearing may result in sanctions against the attorney, and the issuance of an Order to Show Cause to the personal representative to appear and show cause why the court should not impose sanctions, and/or remove the personal representative from office.

(2)    Discharge Review Hearing continued from 12/18/25, 03/26/26:
Receipts on distribution not on file.
Form DE-295, Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge and Order, not yet submitted.
Need status.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000249 ESTATE OF JOHN ROBERT DALEY
Discharge Review Hearing: 
Form DE-295, Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge and Order, has not been submitted yet.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000869 ESTATE OF CAROL CALVIN, AKA CAROL EVELYN CALVIN, CAROL E. WEAST
Discharge Review Hearing: 
• On 01/15/26, the court approved and signed the Order for Final Distribution in this matter. On 02/10/26, the Public Administrator filed a Declaration alleging that new information had come to light which may have significantly modified the property that was on hand for distribution at the end of the accounting approved by the court. A proposed Amended Order for Final Distribution was presented to the court and rejected by the Probate Examiner on 02/11/26: “If the reason for the amendment is not to correct something simple and innocuous tike a typographical error, the court may require filer to submit an ex parte application and order, and give notice thereon, purs. to Local Rule 8.35 and CRC rules 3.1200 et seq.”
      o    No application and order for amendment of the Order for Final Distribution has been presented.
• Receipts of distribution not on file from ten of the thirty heirs: R. Weast, J. Bazarnick, J. Floyd, T. Floyd, L. Williams, A. Callaway, T. Tyree, M. Luke, J. Huffman, and J. Miller.
• Of the twenty receipts of distribution on file signed by the heirs, all twenty reflect distributions of less cash than what the court ordered. See Note above regarding proposed amended Order for Final Distribution.
Recommend continuance to 08/25/26, for judicial economy, as County Counsel will be in court on other matters.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-001048 ESTATE OF TOMASA RAMIREZ
Discharge Review Hearing: 
Receipts of distribution on file.
Recommend court grant continuance to 03/25/27 pursuant to counsel’s request in verified Declaration file-marked 07/15/26 (proof of service attached).
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-001276 ESTATE OF ALVIN LANCE STILLFORD, AKA ALVIN L. STILLFORD, AKA AL STILLFORD
Discharge Review Hearing: 
Receipts on distribution not on file.
Form DE-295, Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge and Order, has been approved.
This hearing has been vacated.

PR-25-000055 ESTATE OF PHILLIP JOHNSON, AKA PHILLIP MARVIN JOHNSON
Discharge Review Hearing: 
Receipt of distribution not on file.
Recommend court grant continuance sought by Administrator pursuant to Declaration file-marked 06/30/26 (proof of service attached), to 02/02/27.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-19-000044 ESTATE OF PATRICIA ANN FERNANDEZ
Hearing on Seventh PrC §12200 Status Report of Administration:
Notice appears complete.
There is no new information in the Seventh Report that was not provided in the Sixth Report. 
Recommend court hold hearing pursuant to PrC§12201 to determine if continuation of administration is the in the best interests of the estate or of interested person(s). 
Appearance by personal representative and personal representative’s counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-23-000912 ESTATE OF LINDA NEFF BLANEY
Hearing on Petition for Preliminary Distribution:  
Notice appears complete.
If no one appears to object, recommend approval of petition.
Recommend court confirm Account Review Hearing of 03/18/27.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).
 

PR-24-000143 ESTATE OF HENRY FRANK SHERMAN
Hearing on Report of Administration on Waiver of Account and Petition for Allowance of Statutory Compensation to Administrator and Attorney for Ordinary Services, for Costs of Administration, Reserve for Closing Expenses and for Final Distribution:
Recommend approval of Report and Petition.
Recommend court vacate Account Review Hearing of 08/27/26.
Recommend Account Review Hearing (on retains) 02/25/27 pursuant to Local Rule 8.92.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000871 ESTATE OF KENNETH W. HARLAN
Hearing on First and Final Report of Administrator on Waiver of Account and Petition for Allowance of Statutory Compensation to Attorney and for Final Distribution:
Recommend approval of Report and Petition.
Recommend Discharge Review Hearing 02/25/27 pursuant to Local Rule 8.92.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000299 ESTATE OF GARY JACKSON

1.    Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration:
•    Petition item 3g(4) was not completed although, if appointed, the proposed personal representative would be a successor personal representative.
•    Form DE-147 Duties and Liabilities not on file.
•    Form DE-121 Notice of Petition to Administer Estate file-marked 07/23/26 reflects notice was defective: untimely.
•    Forms DE-140 and DE-150, Proposed Order and Letters, not submitted.

2.    Hearing on Petition for Removal of Personal Representative continued from 11/12/25, 03/19/26, 07/23/26:
Notice appears complete: heirs, bond company, and counsel for the personal representative signed a notice and acknowledgement of receipt of the citation, summons, notice, and petition.
•    Although not a defect, in response to counsel’s supplement file-marked 05/19/26 and for guidance in future matters, Examiner offers an explanation that PrC§8500(b) does not mean that a Citation is only required when the court wants to remove a personal representative on its own motion; “… the court shall issue a citation…” means that a Citation (as is also true for a Summons) must first be issued by the clerk of the court before it is served.
Answer filed purs. to PrC§8500(c) – 11/04/25 (by personal representative). 
Submit to court whether to set a future hearing purs. to PrC§8500(d). 

Appearance required by petitioner, petitioner’s counsel, the personal representative, and personal representative’s counsel (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001101 MATTER OF MATTHEW EOFF, OR MATTER OF DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY OF RUFUS SANTOS, PRINCIPAL
Hearing on Motion to Compel Initial Responses to Special Interrogatories, Set Two; Request for Monetary Sanctions:
SEE TENTATIVE RULING, to be posted day prior to hearing at https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/online-services/tentative-rulings/…

Hearing on Motion to Compel Initial Responses and Production to Requests for Production, Set Two; Request for Monetary Sanctions continued from 07/29/26:
SEE TENTATIVE RULING, to be posted day prior to hearing at https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/online-services/tentative-rulings/…

Hearing on Motion to Deem Requests for Admission, Set Two, Admitted; Request for Monetary Sanctions continued from 07/28/26:
SEE TENTATIVE RULING, to be posted day prior to hearing at https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/online-services/tentative-rulings/…

PR-26-000593 MATTER OF BROWN 2016 FAMILY TRUST
Hearing on Petition to Confirm Trust Property; to Compel Production of Accounting and Trust Records; for Elder Financial Abuse; Fraud; for Damages for Breach of Fiduciary Duty; for Double Damages; and for Attorney’s Fees and Costs:
• Petition does not appear to establish that this is the proper venue for this matter. See PrC§17005.
      o    Submit to court’s determination: petitioner filed a Supplement on 07/27/26 affirming appropriate venue purs. to PrC§§7050 and 8005(b)(1). Both of those statutes apply to decedent’s estates and not trusts.
• Exhibit C (Limited Power of Attorney) is not legible.
      o    Submit to court’s determination: petitioner filed a Supplement on 07/27/26 alleging that the copy of the letter in her possession is of the same quality and requested the court direct the respondent to file a legible copy.
• Exhibit D (doctor’s 2024 letter) is not legible. 
      o    Submit to court’s determination: petitioner filed a Declaration on 07/27/26 alleging that the copy of the letter in her possession is of the same quality.
• Petition seeks return of property to the Trust or to decedent’s estate.
      o    Submit to court’s determination: petitioner filed a Supplement on 07/27/26 asserting her standing as an “interested person” to seek return of property belonging to the decedent’s estate, when no estate proceeding has commenced.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-26-000680 ESTATE OF THOMAS EDWARD HOOD, AKA THOMAS HOOD
Hearing on Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary:
Will is not self-proving.  Proof of Subscribing Witness on file.
For future filings, please ensure to properly label the proposed personal representative on item 8.
Recommend approval of petition and admission of Will to probate.
Recommend Inventory Review Hearing 02/03/27 pursuant to Local Rule 8.41 B.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-26-000683 ESTATE OF MARK SHERIFF
Hearing on Petition to Determine Succession to Primary Residence:
• Please provide additional detail in Attachment 11 to satisfy petition item 11(2) (facts that show the property was decedent’s primary residence in California).
• Please provide additional detail in Attachment 11 to satisfy petition item 11(3) (facts that show the asset was decedent’s separate property).
• Copy of grant deed showing current title was not attached or provided on separate pleading. See Local Rule 8.99.
      o    The assessor’s parcel number alleged in Attachment 11 does not agree with the number on Attachment 2 of the Inventory and Appraisal (Attachment 8c). 
• Notice of petition not on file (PrC§13151).
• Notice of Hearing not on file (PrC§§13153, 1220).
• Proof of mailing not on file for the Department of Health Care Services, nor Declaration that notice is not required (see Local Rule 8.17 and PrC§215).
Recommend continuance to 09/04/26 to allow time to cure defects.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-26-000684 ESTATE OF MARK ROWLAND SMITH
Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration:
Note cured.
•    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.  Bond matter will be submitted to Court for determination.
Pursuant to Counsel’s Declaration, verified by petitioner, (file marked 07/28/26) there are approximately five known creditors of the estate.  Estimates of those potential claims were not provided.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-22-000192 ESTATE OF TONY NUNES, AKA ANTHONY F. NUNES
Discharge Review Hearing:
Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge and Order was approved.
Hearing has been vacated.

PR-20-000674 ESTATE OF ALICE D. LABETTE, AKA ALICE D BUTLER AKA ALICE D. COLE
Discharge Review Hearing:
Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge and Order has been submitted and is recommended for approval.
Hearing will be vacated.
No appearances.

PR-23-000120 ESTATE OF CAMILLA CANTU GARCIA, AKA CAMILLA C. GARCIA, CAMILLA GARCIA
Discharge Review Hearing:
Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge and Order was approved.
Hearing has been vacated.

PR-23-000537 ESTATE OF DAVID BUCHANAN
Discharge Review Hearing:
Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge and Order was approved.
Hearing has been vacated.

PR-23-001292 ESTATE OF MARCIA LYNN BENSON
Discharge Review Hearing: 
Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge and Order was approved.
Hearing has been vacated.

PR-24-000468 ESTATE OF GRACIE DUTRA
Discharge Review Hearing:
Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge and Order was approved.
Hearing has been vacated.

PR-24-001015 ESTATE OF KARRIE BENNETT
Discharge Review Hearing: 
Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge and Order was approved.
Hearing has been vacated.

FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2026
Department 22
8:30 a.m.

PR-23-000936 ESTATE OF SHARON LEE WYNNE 
Hearing on PrC §12200 Status Report continued from 05/20/26:
Prior defects cured. Notice complete.
A Petition for Final Distribution has been filed and set for hearing 09/03/26.
Hearing of 09/03/26 will be confirmed.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000067 ESTATE OF ROBIN G. CARTER
Hearing on First and Final Account and Report of Administrator and Petition for Final Distribution; Waiver of Compensation by Administrator; for Allowance of Compensation to Attorney for Ordinary Services and for Final Distribution continued from 03/03/26, 05/06/26:
Prior Notes remain, but are rephrased:
The petition reflects it is petitioner’s allegation that the entirety of this estate is comprised of community property. Neither the Petition nor the Final Inventory and Appraisal specify whether the assets inventoried represent the decedent's one-half community interest only or 100% of the community property.
•    An election of the surviving spouse to administer her 50% of the community property purs. to PrC§13502 was not filed, and therefore only the decedent’s 50% community property may be subject to probate.
•    Unless the estate assets are comprised of only decedent’s 50% of the community property, the calculation of statutory compensation appears incorrect. 
•    The proposed omnibus clause would award any property belonging to the estate not now known or hereafter discovered to the surviving spouse and not any other intestate heir; that does not appear appropriate, as the property discovered later could be separate property and only two of the decedent’s three children signed Assignments of their interest. Recommend court instruct the personal representative to include an omnibus clause that includes hereafter discovered separate property. Please see PrC§6401 et seq.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-001217 ESTATE OF TARAH ROTERMUND
Account Review Hearing continued from 05/20/26, 06/25/26:
Prior Notes:
The current bond is $50,000.00. Receipt of deposit of funds into blocked account is on file, reflecting that only $75,000.00 of the $315,355.78 sale proceeds received by seller (as reflected in the escrow statement attached to the 05/21/26 Declaration filed by the personal representative) were deposited into a blocked account as the court had ordered at the hearing on confirmation of the sale, which therefore left $190,355.78 of the sale proceeds unprotected.
According to the 05/21/26 Declaration, “$173,135.70 was used to pay off the mortgage on the home the beneficiaries live in.” 

New Notes:
The co-Administrator’s 07/24/26 Declaration elaborates further on how the $190,355.78 was spent prior to deposit of the remainder of the sale proceeds into a blocked account. 
Recommend court accept this representation for now and allow estate to remain open. As the court informed counsel at the last hearing, the co-Administrators are not “off the hook” for possible surcharge in the future, as their use of the sale proceeds was not authorized, and the court had explicitly ordered all sale proceeds to be deposited in a blocked account but for the $50,000.00 protected by the bond. Had there been an urgent need for payment of an estate expense, the co-Administrators can and ought to have filed an ex parte petition for withdrawal or a noticed petition for instructions.
Recommend court order the co-Administrators to file the first PrC§12200 Status Report within 45 days.
Recommend continuance to 10/28/26 to allow time for above to be filed.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-26-000355 ESTATE OF FERNANDO ESPINOZA MARTINEZ
Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration continued from 06/04/26:
Nothing has been filed since previous hearing. Prior Notes remain:
•    Petition item 8 must include the name and date of death of the decedent’s predeceased spouse.
•    Petition item 8 reflects of the four heirs is a minor. As the court discussed with counsel on 06/04/26, a Guardian ad litem appears necessary in this case. Please see Local Rule 8.07. The petitioner would likely be considered ineligible as Guardian ad litem as there would appear to be an inherent conflict of interest.
•    Form DE-150, Proposed Letters, not submitted.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-26-000392 ESTATE OF DOROTHY SUE MILLER
Hearing on Petition to Determine Succession to Primary Residence continued from 06/23/26:
If no one appears to object, recommend court find notice complete and approve the petition.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).
 

PR-26-000396 ESTATE OF MAX WAYLON EDMISTON
Hearing on Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary continued from 06/23/26:
Defect not cured. Prior note remains:
Will is self-proving.
•    Petition item 8 must include names as they are written in the Will; AKA’s may be used to identify the correct individuals.
•    Notice of Hearing omitted one of the heirs; specifically, Andy Melton Edmiston.
Recommend continuance to 08/21/26 to allow time to cure defects.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-26-000457 MATTER OF MARGARET JOAN HOYLE 2008 REVOCABLE TRUST
Hearing on Petition for Order Confirming Trust Assets continued from 06/17/26:
Nothing has been filed since the previous hearing. Prior Note remains:
•Please identify the Settlor’s intestate heirs. The petition identified only the beneficiaries of the Trust as interested parties (paragraph 8) and not the intestate heirs. 
      o    Petitioner’s Statement filed on 04/27/26 regarding the PrC§6124 presumption (regarding lost/revoked wills) included the allegation that a duplicate original of the will exists. The purported duplicate offered by petitioner is apparently a photocopy of the original will; a photocopy of the will is not a “duplicate original” in the meaning of PrC§6124. Lauermann v. Superior Court (2005) 127 Cal.App.4th 1327 [26 Cal.Rptr.3d 258]. The PrC§6124 presumption appears to therefore apply. 
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-26-000503 ESTATE OF ANA CARDENAS
Hearing on Petition to Determine Succession continued from 06/25/26:
Nothing has been filed since the previous hearing. Prior Notes remain:
•    Part of petition item 17 was completed, indicating that the decedent’s estate may have been under either a guardianship or a conservatorship at the time of decedent’s death. Please clarify.
•    Proof of mailing not on file for the Department of Health Care Services, nor Declaration that notice is not required (see Local Rule 8.17 and PrC§215).
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2026

No decedent's estates, or trust matters on calendar

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2026
Department 22
8:30 a.m.

PR-22-000806 ESTATE OF MICHAEL ANTHONY PERDUE
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. 
Second status report (file marked 10/02/25), personal representative indicated 8 months were needed to complete administration of the estate.  This time has expired.
Need status of estate.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-23-000963 ESTATE OF GARY ALAN JOHNSON

1.    Hearing on Court’s Motion to Dismiss the Petition to Determine Entitlements, set by Minute Order 10/15/25 and continued from 02/18/26, 06/10/26, 07/14/26:
Petition to Determine Persons Entitled to Distribution of Estate filed 07/01/24 by Nicholas Payton.
Opposition (purs. PrC§11702) filed 12/03/24 (by the personal representative in his capacity as an heir).
On 04/16/25, the parties stipulated to engage in mediation. 
A Notice of (conditional) Settlement was filed by the petitioner on 08/26/25.
A Petition for Approval of Settlement Agreement has been filed and set for hearing 08/04/26. Per the Settlement Agreement, the petition to determine entitlements will be dismissed within sixty (60) days of distribution to Nicholas Payton pursuant to the court’s approval of the pending Petition for Final Distribution. Petition therefore appears to be trailing Petition for Final Distribution.

2.    Hearing on First and Final Report of Administrator on Waiver of Account and Petition for Final Distribution and for Statutory Fees for Administrator and Attorneys and Extraordinary Fees for Attorneys and Reimbursement of Costs continued from 07/14/26:
Prior Notes remain:
• Corrected Partial No. 1 and Corrected Final Inventory and Appraisal forms are not on file as alleged in petition paragraph 9.
• What is the status of the anticipated Trust distribution (Petition paragraph 27)? How can the court make an order for final distribution when a (large) asset has not been received by the estate yet?
• The calculation of statutory compensation appears to contain a mathematical error. The fee base of $4,384,556.96 as reflected in paragraph 29 does not appear correct. The discrepancy is more than $200,000.00.
• Need schedule of receipts pursuant to Local Rule 8.69.
• Declaration in support of extraordinary compensation: 
      o    Paralegal’s hourly rate exceeds this county’s norms.
      o    Does not appear complete. See CRC rule 7.703(e)(4) and (5).
Recommend continuance to 09/04//26 to allow time to cure defects.

3.    Hearing on Petition for Approval of Settlement Agreement, and for Continuing Jurisdiction of Court to Enforce Settlement:
Recommend approval of petition. A copy of the proposed order was attached to the petition. Please submit the proposed Order separately.

Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000883 MATTER OF KENNETH J. OCKEY REVOCABLE TRUST
Hearing on Petition to Set Aside Trust Amendment; Damages for Financial Elder Abuse and Neglect continued from 11/05/24, 03/26/25, 08/20/25, 02/19/26:    
Continued from 02/19/26 with the direction that parties were to file joint or separate status reports.
No Response has ever been filed. The court has twice asked for joint or separate status reports, and thus far only the Respondent has ever filed a Status Report; both Reports allege that the parties have an “existing extension agreement” and that is why no Response has been filed in the nearly two years since the petition was filed.
The most recent Status Report from Respondent, filed 07/22/26, alleged that more depositions are expected, after which the Respondent intends to file more motions.
Submit to court whether to grant further continuance.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-001316 ESTATE OF MARY C. OROZCO, AKA MARY CHRISTINE OROZCO AND MARY OROZCO
Account Review Hearing continued from 03/25/26:
On 03/25/26 court ordered the personal representative to file a PrC§12200 Status Report with Notice of Hearing within 90 days if estate is not in position to be closed.
• Neither Petition for Final Distribution nor PrC§12200 Status Report have been filed. 
Recommend court issue Order to Show Cause to personal representative and personal representative’s counsel to be personally present pursuant to PrC§12202:
      o    To show condition of estate and why estate cannot be distributed and closed;
      o    So that court may order personal representative to prepare and file a First Account Current at the court’s discretion pursuant to PrC§12202(b).
      o    Noncompliance may result in removal of personal representative from office (PrC§§12204, 8500).
Appearance by Executor and Executor’s counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000455 ESTATE OF MELISSA ANN ZEPEDA
Account Review Hearing:
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.
Recommend continuance to 12/03/26 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-25-000660 ESTATE OF JUE HUAI CHANG 
Inventory Review Hearing continued from 04/02/26:
Final Inventory and Appraisal is on file.
Recommend Account Review Hearing 02/04/27 pursuant to Local Rule 8.82.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000965 ESTATE OF FRANCIS EARL ESPINOZA
Inventory Review Hearing:
Letters issued 03/12/26. Inventory and Appraisal due 07/13/26.
Final Inventory and Appraisal not on file.
Recommend court compel Personal Representative to file the Final Inventory and Appraisal pursuant to Probate Code § 8804 or face possible sanctions including removal from office.
Appearance by Personal Representative and counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-0011333 ESTATE OF JAMES MITCHELL MIKKELSON
Inventory Review Hearing:
Letters issued 02/05/26. Inventory and Appraisal due 06/05/26.
Final Inventory and Appraisal not on file.
Recommend court compel Personal Representative to file the Final Inventory and Appraisal pursuant to Probate Code § 8804 or face possible sanctions including removal from office.
Appearance by Personal Representative and counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001341 ESTATE OF BARBARA HELEN PETERSON, AKA BARBARA H. PETERSON, BARBARA PETERSON
Inventory Review Hearing:
Final Inventory and Appraisal is on file.
Recommend Account Review Hearing 04/06/27 pursuant to Local Rule 8.82.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001354 ESTATE OF PAMELA C. SANDERS, AKA PAMELA CAROL SANDERS
Inventory Review Hearing:
Final Inventory and Appraisal on file.
•    Current bond does not appear sufficient. Personal Representative did not file ex parte for increase of bond [PrC§8480(c), CRC 7.204].
Appearance by counsel required, to address bond (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001359 ESTATE OF ARNOLD S. FRIED, AKA ARNOLD STEPHEN FRIED
Inventory Review Hearing:
Letters issued 03/03/26. Inventory and Appraisal due 07/06/26.
Final Inventory and Appraisal not on file.
Recommend court compel Personal Representative to file the Final Inventory and Appraisal pursuant to Probate Code § 8804 or face possible sanctions including removal from office.
Appearance by Administrator (self-represented) required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-23-001095 ESTATE OF ROSA LINDA FELICIANO
Hearing on First and Final Report and Account of Administrators; for Allowance of Statutory Attorney’s Fees and Administrator’s Fees; and for Final Distribution:
• Paragraph 7 of the Report does not appear sufficiently detailed pursuant to PrC§9202(b) (knowledge of personal representative or estate attorney).
• Summary of Account is not labeled as such.
• Summary of Account omitted the period covered by the account [PrC§1061(a)].
• Please include an actual Schedule of Gains on Sale, as the calculation contained within the Summary of Account (which was not labeled) appears incorrect. The alleged sales price is less than the appraisal value, which would appear to result in a loss, not a gain. 
• Please provide copies of supporting documentation regarding the Administrators’ requests for reimbursement for payments that were not clearly administrative expenses. (Examples of administrative expenses from the Exhibits are bond premiums, notary fees, attorney’s retainer, tax filing fee. Examples of reimbursements which require documentation: mortgage payments, utility payments, home repair costs, garbage or dump fees, vehicle registration fees.) Supporting documentation could include invoices noted as paid, receipts, mortgage statements, 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    Funeral expenses were included. Funeral expenses would appear to fall under PrC§9000 (creditor’s claims), and pursuant to PrC9252, Administrator’s creditor’s claim was not submitted to the court for allowance or rejection. Please provide supporting documentation.
• Proposed Order not yet submitted.
Recommend continuance to 10/20/26, to coincide with Account Review Hearing already set, to allow time to cure defects.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).
 

PR-25-000345 ESTATE OF DORSENA M. TIPTON
Hearing on PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration:
•    Review of the file reflects that the personal representative filed a Creditor’s Claim, Form DE-172, but has not yet submitted a proposed Allowance or Rejection of Creditor’s Claim, Form DE-174, for the court to review and sign. Until and unless the court approves the Claim, the personal representative does not have authority to satisfy his own claim.
Notice appears complete.
Recommend court allow estate to remain open and set a further Account Review Hearing 02/04/27.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001101 MATTER OF MATTHEW EOFF, OR MATTER OF DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY OF RUFUS SANTOS, PRINCIPAL
1.    Hearing on Motion for Sanctions Against Respondent’s Counsel:
SEE TENTATIVE RULING, to be posted day prior to hearing at https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/online-services/tentative-rulings/…

2.    Hearing on Second Amended Petition (file-marked 06/03/26) to Invalidate and Revoke Power of Attorney; for Elder Abuse, Neglect, Isolation, Financial Elder Abuse, and Related Relief continued from 12/04/25, 03/19/26, 07/23/26:
This second amended petition was filed more than six months after the first amended petition; multiple pleadings (objections, answers, replies) were filed after the first amended petition and have been superseded by this filing. Submit to court whether to strike second amended petition for being filed without leave of the court.
• Notice of Hearing (Form DE-120) file-marked 07/20/26 is defective:
      o    Untimely. See Probate Code sections 4544, 1220, 1214, and California Rules of Court starting with rule 7.50.
      o    Notice of Hearing item 1 on page 1 does not contain the complete caption (title) of the pleading. See California Rules of Court rule 7.102, 7.50.

Request for Judicial Notice file-marked 01/14/26. Submitted to court for determination.
Appearance by petitioner and objector (self-represented) required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001234 ESTATE OF CLARE MORAN, AKA CLARE DUNN MORAN
Hearing on Petition for Settlement of First and Final Account and Final Distribution, Waiver of Accounting, Waiver of Compensation to Executors, Allowance of Compensation to Attorney and Allowance of Costs to Attorney:
•    Schedule of Proposed Distribution not included, which is required even when accounting is waived. See Local Rules 8.69 and 8.83M.
See California Rules of Court rules 7.3 and 7.53 regarding the types of pleadings that may be used to address these defects.
Recommend continuance to 08/21/26 to allow time to cure defect.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).
 

PR-26-000606 R.L. BAPTISTA TRUST DTD AUGUST 9, 2018
Hearing on Petition for Order Confirming Trust Assets, Correcting Legal Description, and Quieting Title:
REVIEW IN PROGRESS. PLEASE CHECK BACK.

PR-26-000688 ESTATE OF DAVID E. PFANENSTIEL
Hearing on Petition to Determine Succession to Primary Residence:
If no one appears to object, recommend court find notice complete and approve the petition.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-26-000695 ESTATE OF KATHERINE WEISS STANLEY
Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration:
• Petitioner/proposed administrator identified themselves as a creditor the estate; petitioner would therefore have less priority to serve than the Public Administrator. Recommend court require the petitioner to serve mailed notice purs. to PrC§8110 et seq. on the Public Administrator and County Counsel.
• Two individuals (also the only two heirs-at-law purs. PrC§6401) named in item 8 are alleged to have survived decedent but since passed away. The successors-in-interest of those individuals are not clearly identified, nor the personal representatives of those individuals’ estates. See Local Rule 8.14 A and California Rules of Court rule 7.51.
      o    After hearing from counsel, submit to court whether to require the petitioner to conduct an heir search.
• Proposed Letters, Form DE-150, not yet submitted.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-26-000696 ESTATE OF DAVID ABRAHAM SAYAD
Hearing on Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary:
Counsel does not appear to be admitted to practice in California. Pursuant to Business and Professions Code § 6125, only an active licensee of the State Bar may practice law in California. Please explain. 

The following defects must be addressed in the Petition (DE-111):
• The petition appears to be an incorrect version of this form.  The revision date recited on the bottom of the form (07/01/2017) agrees with the current version; however, some of the preprinted verbiage on the form (particularly the caption) does not agree with the latest version of this form provided on the Judicial Council’s website and appears to have been modified.
• Item 2d(2) was left blank (bond amount). 
• Item 3c did not establish that this court is the proper venue for this matter as it reflects an address outside of the United States; specifically: Australia. The petition does not allege property in Stanislaus County.  Please see Probate Code section 7051 and a California Decedent’s Estate Practice Guide. Please supplement or amend the petition to provide sufficient evidence for the court to establish jurisdictional facts purs. to PrC§§8005-6. See California Rules of Court rules 7.3 and 7.53.
• Item 8 omitted dates of death of all deceased persons listed.
• Item 8 included second generation heirs but not the deceased ancestor through which they take (please see Local Rule 8.26 E).
      o    A Family Tree may be helpful.
• Item 8 did not properly label the proposed personal representative (Local Rule 8.26 D).
• Proposed personal representative resides outside of the United States. 
• Item 8 reflects that one of the heirs is a minor. A Guardian ad Litem may be necessary. Submitted to Judge for determination.
• Attachment 2a alleges that the Will was proved in another country.  Attachment 3f(2) indicates a copy of the Will and Order Admitting Will to Probate in Australia are attached to Petition. PrC §12521(a), a petition shall include both (1) The will or authenticated copy of the Will. (2) an authenticated copy of the Order admitting the will (one that satisfies the requirements of Article 2 evidence code 1530. The order admitting the Will appears to be omitted.

The following defects must be addressed in the Court’s file.
• Form DE-121 Notice of Petition to Administer Estate not on file.
• Affidavit of publication not on file. See Local Rule 8.12.
• Form DE-140, Proposed Order, not yet submitted.
• Form DE-150, Letters, not yet submitted.
• It appears the original Will has not yet been presented in person to the Clerk’s Office for filing.  Original Wills are not accepted via E-file.  See Local Rule 1.14G and the Court’s website:  www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/e-filing.
      o    Declaration re: supporting evidence not on file. See PrC§§8221, 6110. 

Appearance by counsel required. (Anyone appearing may do so either in person or remotely, by telephone, using VCourt)

PR-26-000703 ESTATE OF RONDA GENE HALL, AKA RONDA G. HALL
Hearing on Spousal Property Petition:
Petition item 5a(2) was not completed (existence of issue of a predeceased child).
Recommend continuance to 08/21/26 to allow time to cure defect.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

ADD-ON:
PR-26-000787 MATTER OF JAMES G. HORNER AND DIANE G. HORNER REVOCABLE TRUST
Reserved Hearing on Ex Parte Petition (set by email from the courtroom clerk):
Moving documents not yet on file.

9:30 A.M.

PR-25-000508 TRAMMELL 1998 TRUST DTD JUNE 11, 1998, AS AMENDED – THE BYPASS TRUST
Court Trial - Day 3 continued from 05/19/26, 06/23/26, 06/24/26:
Appearances mandatory.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2026
Department 23
8:30 a.m.

PR-26-000740 ESTATE OF DEREK ANTONIO, AKA DEREK MARTINS
Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration:
Requested bond of $345,000.00 appears adequate based on estimated value of estate alleged in the petition.
•    Three of the heirs are minors. A Guardian ad Litem may be necessary. Submitted to Judge for determination.
•    Form DE-121 Notice of Petition to Administer Estate not yet on file.
•    Affidavit of publication not on file. See Local Rule 8.12.
•    Form DE-140, Proposed Order, not yet submitted.
•    Form DE-150, Letters, omitted the “place” of execution.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

Department 22
8:30 a.m.

2200062 ESTATE OF MARY RUBY ANDRUS, AKA MARY R. ANDRUS, MARY ANDRUS
Account Review Hearing continued from 03/18/26:
A Petition for Final Distribution has been filed and set for hearing 09/02/26.
Hearing of 09/02/26 will be confirmed.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-23-000556 ESTATE OF RAUL ZEPEDA, JR.
(1)    Order to Show Cause issued on 04/02/26 to William Broderick-Villa, Esq.:
To appear and show cause why the Court should not impose sanctions for the failure to file the Inventory and Appraisal. Mr. Broderick-Villa is also to show cause why the Court should not issue a possible surcharge for failure to perfect notice. If the I&A is filed, and notice is perfected prior to the next hearing, the Order to Show Cause will be discharged.

(2)    Hearing on Second PrC§12200 Status Report continued from 01/14/26, 04/02/26: 
Nothing filed since last hearing. Prior notes remain:
•    Notice of Hearing not on file at time of review.
•    Final Inventory and Appraisal not on file. Examiner notes status report indicates the sole asset of the estate is a Vangaard account. 
On 01/14/26, the court directed notice of hearing to be filed prior to the next hearing or possible surcharge may be ordered.
Recommend court issue an Order to Show Cause to personal representative and counsel to be personally present to receive the court’s order. 
Recommend court compel Personal Representative to file the Final Inventory and Appraisal pursuant to Probate Code § 8804 or face possible sanctions including removal from office.
Recommend court issue Order to Show Cause to Administrator and Administrator’s counsel to be personally present pursuant to PrC§12202:
•    To show condition of estate and why estate cannot be distributed and closed;
•    So that court may order Administrator to prepare and file a First Account Current at the court’s discretion pursuant to PrC§12202(b).
•    Noncompliance may result in removal of personal representative from office (PrC§§12204, 8500).
Appearance by Personal Representative and counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-23-001010 ESTATE OF LINDA LEE WATT
(1)    Order to Show Cause issued on 04/02/26 to Robin Groves:
To appear and show cause as to why court should not impose a surcharge for the failure to appear and failure to file PrC §12200 Status Report.

(2)    Account Review Hearing continued from 04/02/26:
See Local Rule 8.82 and also Probate Code sections 12200, and 9000 through 9399.
On 04/02/26, the court ordered personal representative to file PrC§12200 Status Report within 90 days if the estate is not in a position to be closed.
• Neither Petition for Final Distribution nor PrC§12200 Status Report are on file at the time of review.  See Local Rule 8.82. 
Recommend court issue Order to Show Cause to Administrator to be personally present pursuant to PrC§12202:
      o    To show condition of estate and why estate cannot be distributed and closed;
      o    So that court may order Administrator to prepare and file a First Account Current at the court’s discretion pursuant to PrC§12202(b).
      o    Noncompliance may result in removal of personal representative from office (PrC§§12204, 8500).

Please review your responsibilities in the Duties and Liabilities, Form DE-147, you signed and filed.
Appearance by Administrator (self-represented) required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-001020 ESTATE OF JOSE MARAVILLA, JR.
Account Review Hearing:
Letters issued 05/09/25. Inventory and Appraisal due 09/09/25.
Final Inventory and Appraisal not on file.
On 11/12/25, the court ordered personal representative to file the Final Inventory and Appraisal within 90 days.
On 03/05/26, the personal representative presented a signed Inventory and Appraisal by Steven Pallios in open court. The Court directed personal representative to file the I&A.
Recommend court issue an Order to Show Cause to personal representative to be personally present to receive the court’s order. 
Recommend court compel Personal Representative to file the Final Inventory and Appraisal pursuant to Probate Code § 8804 or face possible sanctions including removal from office.
•    Neither Petition for Final Distribution nor PrC§12200 Status Report are on file at the time of review.  See Local Rule 8.82. 
Status report is due.
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.
Consider visiting the California Courts Self Help page at
https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/probate and downloading forms from https://www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm
Please review your responsibilities in the Duties and Liabilities, Form DE-147, you signed and filed.
Appearance by Administrator (self-represented) required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-001027 ESTATE OF BARBARA ANN CRUICKSHANK
Account Review Hearing continued from 03/24/26:
Account Review Hearing will not be continued further.

Hearing on PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration continued from 07/16/26:
Nothing filed since previous hearing. Prior Note remains:
•    Notice of Hearing filed-marked 07/13/26 gave notice of the “Account Review Hearing” (see Local Rule 8.82); a new Notice of Hearing will be required for the Status Report of Administration.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000125 MATTER OF THE TESTAMENTARY TRUST OF JAMES A. HIGGINS
Hearing on Petition for Order for Support of Beneficiary continued from 06/12/25, 07/31/25, 02/03/26:
Nothing filed since previous hearing.
• New rephrasing of this Prior Note: Prior to the trustor’s death, the Trust did not exist, and all property belonging to the decedent belonged to the decedent and not the Trust. What legal mechanism transferred assets into the Trust? It could have been a Final Decree after formal probate, an Order of summary probate purs. to PrC§13150, or a PrC§13100 Affidavit; it could be that the trustor designated the Trustee as “pay-on-death” beneficiary on his accounts. Original Note: Please file a copy of judicial decree that established the testamentary trust, e.g., the Order for Final Distribution filed in the decedent’s estate court proceeding. See CRC rule 7.650. 
      o    A Response to the original Probate Notes was filed 01/29/26, addressing this defect; the response was not signed by the petitioner nor verified.
• Please clarify that this court is the proper venue for this proceeding. Where is the principal place of administration of the trust? See PrC§17005(a)(1).
      o    A Response to the Probate Notes was filed 01/29/26, addressing this defect; the response was not signed by the petitioner nor verified.
• Proposed Order contains findings that do not agree with the petition: see lines 15 through 18, and lines 24 through 27 on page 3 of the order.
      o    A Response to the Probate Notes was filed 01/29/26, addressing this defect; the response was not signed by the petitioner nor verified.
• Proposed Order contains an order that was not included in the prayer of the petition: see lines 12 through 14 on page 4 of the order.

Objection filed 06/11/25 – by U.S. Bank. Objection reflects the Objector/ Respondent/ co-Trustee did not receive notice. 
On 02/03/26, the court directed petitioner to perfect notice on the Objector and any other beneficiaries and address the original two Probate Notes (reproduced above), or the case may be dismissed. Nothing has been filed since that hearing. The petition did not identify those who are due notice of this proceeding.
Recommend dismissal without prejudice. Any future petition by the petitioner must provide the names and addresses of all interested people including trustees, beneficiaries, and contingent beneficiaries. 
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000411 ESTATE OF INEZ DEWESE DAVIS
Inventory Review Hearing:
Letters issued 02/09/26. Inventory and Appraisal due 06/09/26.
Final Inventory and Appraisal not on file.
Recommend court compel Personal Representative to file the Final Inventory and Appraisal pursuant to Probate Code § 8804 or face possible sanctions including removal from office.
Appearance by Personal Representative and counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000547 ESTATE OF SUMICO TAKAHASHI
Inventory Review Hearing continued from 03/05/26:
Prior Notes remain:
•    On 09/05/25, the court ordered the personal representative to perfect notice to the foreign consulate (PrC§8113, see Local Rule 8.16). Not on file.
•    Letters were issued 11/24/25; a Partial No. 1 and Partial No. 2 Inventory and Appraisal on file. Final I&A was due 03/24/26 and is not on file.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000619 ESTATE OF DOLORES CELESTE BELLO, AKA DOLORES BELLO
Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration (filed by V. Bello) continued from 12/03/25, 03/25/26:
Proposed bond of $200,000.00 appears adequate based on estimated value of estate alleged in the petition.
•    Proposed Letters not yet submitted.
Need status of meet-and-confer.

Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration (filed by M. Baptista) continued from 08/21/25, 12/03/25, 03/25/26:
Proposed bond of $200,000.00 appears adequate based on estimated value of estate alleged in the petition. Bond has already been filed.
Need status of meet-and-confer.

Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000926 ESTATE OF WINFRED WAYNE DAVIS SR.
(1)    Order to Show Cause issued on 04/01/26 to Benjamin D. Rowe, Esq.:
To appear and show cause why the court should not issue sanctions for failure to appear on 04/01/26 and failure to file an Inventory and Appraisal and failure to submit Letters.

(2)    Inventory Review Hearing continued 04/01/26:
Letters have been issued.
Inventory and Appraisal not on file at time of review.
Need status of inventory.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000214 ESTATE OF KERRY JO WALKER, AKA KERRY J. WALKER, AKA KERRY WALKER
Hearing on First and Final Account and Report of Executor and Petition for Allowance of Compensation to Attorneys and Executor for Ordinary Services, for Reimbursement of Costs Advanced by Attorneys, for Allowance for Trustee to Pay Expenses out of the Trust Corpus, and for Final Distribution:
Recommend approval of petition.
Recommend Discharge Review Hearing 02/25/27 pursuant to Local Rule 8.92.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000495 ESTATE OF PETER GLEN SAAD, AKA PETER GLENN SAAD
Hearing on First and Final Report of Executor on Waiver of Accounting and Petition for its Settlement; for Statutory Attorneys’ Fees, for Reimbursement of Costs Advanced and for Final Distribution:
Recommend approval of Report and Petition.
Recommend court vacate Account Review Hearing of 08/18/26.
Recommend Discharge Review Hearing 02/25/27 pursuant to Local Rule 8.92.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-26-000530 MANOUCH AZAD REVOCABLE TRUST
Hearing on Respondent Giannelli Law Firm’s Notice of Demurrer to Petitioner’s Petitioner to Determine Validity of Trust Amendments:
SEE TENTATIVE RULING, to be posted day prior to hearing at https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/online-services/tentative-rulings/…

PR-26-000622 FRANCES B. VAN WINKLE REVOCABLE TRUST U/A/D AUGUST 18, 2020, AND AS RESTATED ON APRIL 11, 2025
Hearing on Petition for Return of Property (PrC §850); for Elder Financial Abuse (WIC §15610.30); for Double Damages (PrC §859); for Determination of Operative Trust Instrument and for Accounting (PrC §17200); and for Attorneys Fees and Costs:
REVIEW IN PROGRESS. PLEASE CHECK BACK.

PR-26-000708 ESTATE OF PEGGY ANN DOWNS, AKA PEGGY DOWNS
Hearing on Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters of Administration with Will Annexed:
Bond waiver on file for intestate heir.
•    Petition item 8 did not properly label the proposed personal representative (Local Rule 8.26 D).
See California Rules of Court rules 7.3 and 7.53 regarding the types of pleadings that may be used to address these defects.
•    Form DE-135, Proof of Holographic Instrument, not on file. See PrC§8222.
•    Form DE-150, Letters, not yet submitted.
Recommend continuance to 09/04/26 to allow time to cure defects.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-26-000733 ESTATE OF STEVEN FREDRICK GARCIA SR.
Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration:

Defects in the Petition, Form DE-111:
•    Petitioner has included an allegation in the petition that decedent died intestate (without a will) and petitioner has included a request that decedent’s will be admitted to probate (item 2a). Those are contradictory.
•    Item 5b box (“was”) was checked, alleging that the decedent was survived by a stepchild or foster child whom decedent would have adopted except for some legal barrier. Please identify the stepchild(ren) and/or foster child(ren) in item 8. Please also file separately or attach to the petition a Declaration pursuant to Probate Code section 6454. The California Probate Code may be searched for online.
•    Item 8 must include the relationships those listed had with the decedent (i.e., child, grandchild). If any grandchildren are included, item 8 must identify their deceased parent through whom they inherit (i.e. the deceased child of the decedent who is the grandchild’s parent). See Local Rule 8.26. 
•    Item 8 must include the deceased heirs, including the late spouse and any deceased children of the decedent, and their dates of death. If the petitioner does not know the exact date of death, please provide the approximate date of death. See Local Rule 8.26.

Defects in the file:
•    Waivers of bond [Form DE-142/DE-111(A-3e)] are not on file for all intestate heirs (see Probate Code section 6401). Bond may be required. Full bond would be $119,933.00, based on the estimate in the petition.
•    Form DE-147 Duties and Liabilities not on file.
•    Affidavit of publication not on file. See Local Rule 8.12.
•    Forms DE-140 and DE-150, Proposed Order and Letters, not submitted.

Consider visiting the California Courts Self Help page at
https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/probate and downloading forms from https://www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm. 
Appearance by petitioner (self-represented) required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-26-000758 ESTATE OF GUADALUPE RUBIO
Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration:
•    Form DE-121 Notice of Petition to Administer Estate not yet on file.
•    Affidavit of publication not on file. See Local Rule 8.12.
•    Form DE-140, Proposed Order, not submitted.
•    Form DE-150, Letters, not submitted.
•    Petition seeks no bond, and an order that “any funds” be deposited in a blocked account at Bank of Stockton. The petition alleges personal property estimated at $0.00 and real property estimated at $385,000.00 with a encumbrance $61,000.00. Request will be submitted to court for determination once notice is perfected.
Recommend continuance to 08/28/26 to allow time to cure defects.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).