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.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2026
Department 22
8:30 a.m.

PR-20-001119 ESTATE OF FRANK CLIFFORD CARSON
Hearing on Amended (file-marked 08/07/25) First and Final Account, Petition for Final Distribution, Allowance of Statutory Executor’s Fees, Allowance of Statutory and Extraordinary Attorney’s Fees, Reimbursement of Costs, Reduction of Bond, and Request for Reserve continued from 09/26/24, 11/05/24, 01/10/25, 03/21/25, 08/13/25, 12/10/25:
Prior Notes have been cured.
Request for extraordinary compensation submitted to court for determination. 
Whether approved as pled or not, a new proposed order will be needed.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-22-000327 ESTATE OF WILLIAM CARL SILVA
Hearing on First and Final Report of Administrators on Waiver of Account; Petition for Final Distribution; Allowance of Compensation to Attorney for Ordinary Services continued from 08/20/25, 10/10/25, 01/09/26:
Prior Note:
• One of the two heirs passed away after the petition was filed; prior to his death he executed an Assignment of Interest. On 01/09/26, the court directed the personal representative to file a verified supplement describing that heir’s estate plan and identifying his beneficiaries or intestate heirs, and directed the personal representative to give notice of hearing, as well as serving a copy of the future supplement as well as the supplement file-marked 10/23/25, to those individuals. See PrC§11601.
      o    In the Supplement filed 01/27/26, PR reports that she is the sole beneficiary of Steven Silva’s Trust, and that Trust is the sole devisee of Steven Silva’s Will; PR also reports that Steven Silva’s only intestate heir is an estranged daughter, whose address was unknown to Silva. PR argues that the intestate heir need not be given notice as the court directed, since Silva’s estate plan left everything to his trust. 
Submitted to court for determination.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000365 ESTATE OF JAMES D. LUNA
Hearing on PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration continued from 01/06/26:
Nothing filed since previous hearing.
•    Notice of Hearing not yet on file (see PrC§12201).
On 01/06/26¸the court ordered personal representative to perfect notice pursuant to PrC§12201 before the next hearing or surcharge may be imposed. 
Recommend court issue Order to Show Cause to the personal representative to appear and show cause why surcharge should not be imposed for failure to abide by the court’s order.
Appearance by personal representative, personal representative’s counsel mandatory (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 Petition Regarding Internal Affairs of a Trust; Trust Contest, Elder Abuse and Disinheritance; Claim to Return Property Owned by Another; Double Damages, Attorneys Fees continued from 03/12/25, 07/30/25, 12/04/25, 01/22/26:
Opposition filed – 09/10/25, by T. Mawyer. 
Set by stipulation and order for hearing on bifurcated issues.
The underlying petition will be continued to 05/14/26.
Appearance required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001236 ESTATE OF GEORGE GASPAR
Hearing on Spousal Property Petition continued from 01/08/26:
If no one appears to object, recommend approval of petition.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026
No decedent's estates, trust matters on calendar.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 03, 2026
Department 22
8:30 a.m.

PR-23-001082 ESTATE OF TERRY WAYNE MONKHOUSE AKA TERRY W. MONKHOUSE, TERRY MONKHOUSE
Account Review Hearing:
•    Neither Petition for Final Distribution nor Third 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 06/10/26 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-24-000325 ESTATE OF SOCORRO GARZA, AKA SOCORRO G. GARZA
Account Review Hearing continued from 10/02/25:
On 10/02/25, the court directed that a PrC§12200 Status Report must be filed if estate is not in a position to be closed. Neither Petition for Final Distribution nor PrC§12200 Status Report are on file.
• Recommend court issue Order to Show Cause to Executor and Executor’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 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).
Appearance by Executor and Executor’s counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-001139 ESTATE OF MARIA L. SOUSA, AKA MARIA LEONILDE SOUSA
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 06/16/26 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-25-000022 ESTATE OF JANET LANCASTER
Hearing on First and Final Report of Executor on Waiver of Accounting and Petition for Allowance of Compensation to Attorney for Ordinary Services and for Final Distribution continued from 10/21/25:
Some defects cured. Prior Notes remain: 
•    Final Inventory and Appraisal: Pages 1 and 2 do not agree. Attachment 1 appraised value ($9,343.43) does not agree with total appraised on page 1 ($9,343.86). A Corrected Final I&A appears required.  Corrected Inventory and Appraisal is on file; however, it is attached to a Declaration. Please file as a separate document rather than attached to any pleading.
•    Beneficiary of estate is a Trust; Trustee has waived an Accounting; Written acceptance of Trust by Trustee not on file [PrC§10954(b)(4)].  Written acceptance has been provided but attached to a Declaration. Please file this pleading separately.
•    Proposed Order not yet submitted.
Recommend continuance to 02/13/26 to allow time to file above pleadings.
Appearance not 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:
Nothing filed since previous hearing. Prior Notes remain:
•    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.
•    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).
•    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.
•    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 07/31/25, the court directed petitioner to perfect notice on the Objector at the address provided in the Objection. Not on file.
Recommend court set deadline for petitioner to perfect notice and cure first two bullet-points or petition may be dismissed. The court had heretofore deferred setting a deadline for objections until these defects are cured and notice perfected.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000323 ESTATE OF WALLACE ALLAN FARLEY
Hearing on Petition to Determine Ownership of Real Property, to Void Wrongful Affidavit of Death of Joint Tenant, and for Related Relief:
REVIEW IN PROGRESS. PLEASE CHECK BACK.

PR-25-000327 ESTATE OF JENNIFER L. LOURENCO AKA JENNIFER LYNN LOURENCO
Inventory Review Hearing:
Letters issued 09/09/25. Inventory and Appraisal due 01/09/26.
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 counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000460 ESTATE OF BOBBY RAY BROWN
Inventory Review Hearing:
Final Inventory and Appraisal is on file.
Recommend Account Review Hearing 10/06/26 pursuant to Local Rule 8.82.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000952 ESTATE OF CURTIS LYNN SHIVAR, SR.
Hearing on Petition to Determine Succession to Primary Residence continued from 10/08/25:
Prior defects cured. 
If no one appears to object, recommend court find notice complete and approve the petition.
Appearance not required.  Anyone wishing to appear may do so in person or remotely, by telephone, using VCourt.
 

PR-25-001005 ESTATE OF GLORIA LINDA FORD
Hearing on Petition to Determine Succession to Primary Residence continued from 10/21/25:
Nothing filed since previous hearing. Prior Notes remain:
•    A copy of the current recorded grant deed was not attached as alleged in Attachment 11. See Local Rule 8.99.
•    A page with the typewritten text of the holographic will was not attached to Attachment 5/12a (copy of the will).
•    Petitioner identified two devisees in decedent’s will with unknown addresses. The two devisees were not given notice of this proceeding pursuant to PrC§13153. All interested parties must be given notice. If any individual is unable to be given notice because their location is unknown, a Declaration must be filed regarding petitioner’s diligent efforts to locate that individual. See Local Rule 8.14 B, California Rules of Court rule 7.52.
•    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).
•    Notice of Hearing file-marked 09/19/25 omitted the city and state from which the server mailed the notices (item 4b on page 2).

New Notes:
•    On 10/21/25, the court ordered petitioner to file a Proof of holographic instrument or Declaration. See Probate Code sections 6111 and 8222, Judicial Council form DE-135. Prior Note: The decedent’s signature on the holographic will was signed with a different pen then the instrument that was used to draft the rest of the will. Not on file.
•    On 10/21/25, the court ordered petitioner to file a family tree in a verified Declaration. If petitioner cannot or does not prepare a family tree after having been directed to, then at the next hearing the court may consider requiring petitioner to conduct an heir search. Prior Note: Petitioner has alleged that the decedent had no known next of kin. Not on file.

Recommend court set deadline for defects to be cured or case may be dismissed.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).
AH 

FEB 3

PR-25-001212 ESTATE OF PATRICK HEANEY
(1)    Hearing on Petition for Probate of Lost Will and for Letters of Administration with Will Annexed (filed by Amanda Heaney, Tina Heaney) continued from 01/06/26:
Objection filed – 12/30/25 (by Monica Wagner)
Petitioners do not appear to have priority of appointment, nor are Petitioners nominees of the person with priority (Probate Code sections 8461, 8465). 
Nothing filed since last hearing. Prior notes remain:
The following defects must be addressed in the Petition (Form DE-111):
•    Item 1 did not include the name of the newspaper where Petitioner intends to publish notice. See Probate Code section 8121 and the court’s website here: https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/divisions/probate/newspapers 
•    Item 2 reflects two petitioners: Amanda Heaney and Tina Heaney; however, only one of these petitioners has signed the petition.
•    Item 3a incomplete (place/address of decedent’s death).
•    Item 3e(2) was checked (bond waivers); however, waivers of bond are not attached.
•    Item 3f(3) not checked (lost will); however, case caption indicates this is a petition to probate a lost Will.
•    Item 3h incomplete (residency of proposed personal representative).
•    Item 5a(2) incomplete (no spouse).
•    Item 5a(3) or (4) incomplete (existence of registered domestic partner).
•    Item 5a(5) incomplete (existence of child). 
•    Item 5a(7) or (8) incomplete (existence of issue of a predeceased child).
•    Item 5b incomplete (existence of stepchild or foster child who would have been adopted but for a legal barrier).
•    Item 8 did not include the complete addresses for all those listed.
•    Item 8 did not identify the Trustee of the Trust. See Local Rule 8.14A and 8.26.
•    Attachment 3f(3) omitted from Petition (Declaration regarding lost will pursuant to  PrC§6124). See also PrC§8223.

The following defects must be addressed in the court’s file:
•    Waivers of bond [Mandatory Form DE-142/DE-111(A-3e)] not on file for heirs (see Probate Code section 6401). Bond may be required. Minimum bond would be $20,000.00 pursuant to Local Rule 8.33.  Maximum bond would be $612,000.00.
•    Form DE-147, Duties and Liabilities, not on file.
•    Form DE-121, Notice of Petition to Administer Estate, (file marked 01/28/26) has the following defects:
    o    Petitioner’s address omitted from the top left box.
    o    Item 4, page 1 not checked (Petition requests the decedent’s Will and codicils be admitted to probate).
    o    Item 5, page 1 not checked (IAEA authority).
    o    Page 2 (name of each person to whom notice was mailed) reflects notice was given to “Nicholas Heaney”.  The petition lists a relative named “Patrick Nick Heaney.”  Please explain: Is this the same person?  Please provide notice to the person named in the petition.
    o    Notice is defective: untimely.  (Only 6 days’ notice was given).
•    Affidavit of publication not on file. See Local Rule 8.12.
•    Form DE-140, Proposed Order, not submitted.
•    Form DE-150, 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

Petitioners joint declaration (file marked 01/28/26) indicates that they are not seeking appointment as personal representatives.  Recommend the Court inquire if petitioners wish to withdraw their petition.  Submitted to Judge for determination.

(2) Hearing on Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary (filed by Monica Wagner):
Will is not self-proving. Proof of Subscribing Witness is on file.
No defects in petition. Notice appears complete.
•    It appears the original Will has not yet been presented in person to the Clerk’s Office for filing. After careful examination, it appears a copy has been filed. Petitioner has not alleged the original Will is lost.  Please present the original Will to the Clerk’s Office for filing.

Appearance by co-petitioners (self-represented) and objector’s counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).
 

445167 MATTER OF RAYMOND GERALD COCHRAN LIVING TRUST DATED 06/27/07; INCLUDING THE SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST FOR TERRI LYNN COCHRAN
Hearing on Sixth Annual Account and Petition for Allowance of Attorney’s Fees, for Reimbursement of Costs Advanced by Attorney:
Notice of Hearing not on file for remaindermen: Gerald Mark Cochran, Debra Sue Guttas. Successor Trustee is also a remainderman, but she was given notice.
More time is needed for review.
Matter will be continued to 06/11/26 to allow time for review.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-20-000786 ESTATE OF ISABEL YALLI, AKA ISABELL YALLI
Hearing on PrC §12200 Status Report: 
Notice appears complete. 
Recommend court set a further Account Review Hearing 08/12/26.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000025 ESTATE OF PATSY SUE OLDHAM DUKE, AKA PATSY SUE DUKE, PATSY S. DUKE
Hearing on First and Final Report of Administrator with Will Annexed and Petition for its Settlement, for Allowance of Statutory Compensation to Attorney and for Final Distribution:
• Caption of pleading appears inadequate as personal representative is also seeking settlement of an accounting [see Probate Code § 10951, California Rule of Court 7.102, Local Rule 8.83L].
      o    Notice therefore appears defective, as well, [PrC § 11000(c), CRC 7.50].
Recommend court vacate the Account Review Hearing of 06/09/26.
Recommend continuance to 03/20/26 to allow time to cure defect, perfect notice.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000369 ESTATE OF MARY LEE SPROUSE
Hearing on First and Final Report of Executor on Waiver of Account and Petition for Allowance of Compensation to Executor for Ordinary Services and to Attorney for Ordinary Services and Extraordinary Services and for Final Distribution:
No defects in the pleadings.
Request for extraordinary compensation submitted to court for determination.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001333 ESTATE OF JAMES MITCHELL MIKKELSON
Hearing on Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary:
Recommend approval of petition and admission of will to probate.
Need Form DE-150, proposed Letters.
Recommend Inventory Review Hearing 08/04/26 pursuant to Local Rule 8.41 B.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001340 ESTATE OF AZNELL FRANCIS
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-25-001341 ESTATE OF BARBARA HELEN PETERSON, AKA BARBARA H. PETERSON, BARBARA PETERSON
Hearing on Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary:
•    Petition item 3g(1) was not completed (is the proposed executor named in the will and does the proposed executor consent to act?)
•    Affidavit of publication not on file. See Local Rule 8.12.
•    Proposed Letters not yet submitted.
Recommend continuance to 03/13/26 to allow time to cure defect.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001347 ESTATE OF SUSANNE RIDGE
Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration:
•    Petition item 1 did not include the name of the newspaper where Petitioner intends to publish notice. See Probate Code section 8121 and the court’s website here: https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/divisions/probate/newspapers 
•    Affidavit of publication not on file. See Local Rule 8.12.
•    Proposed Letters not yet submitted.
Recommend continuance to 03/13/26 to allow time to cure defect.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2026
Department 22
8:30 a.m.

PR-19-001293 MATTER OF WALTER LEROY WELKER JR. SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST
Hearing on Third Account and Report of Co-Trustees, Request for Reduction of Bond and Request for Attorney Fees continued from 09/23/25, 10/09/25:
Prior Notes have been address and cured.
Recommend approval of Account and Request as supplemented.
Recommend Account Review Hearing 10/08/26 for receipt of Fourth Account Current.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-22-000250 ESTATE OF ROBERT NELSON SR, AKA ROBERT GORDON NELSON, SR.
Account Review Hearing continued from 09/25/25:
Petition for Termination of Proceedings has been filed and set for hearing 02/25/26.
Hearing of 02/25/26 will be confirmed.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-22-001317 ESTATE OF CONNIE L. HOWER, AKA CONNIE LYNN HOWER, CONNIE HOWER
Hearing on Petition for Final Distribution, Settlement of estate, Report of Administration, Allowance of Compensation of Personal Representative and Allowance of Attorneys Fees, Extraordinary Fees Costs, Waiver of Account continued from 06/05/25, 10/15/25:
Nothing filed since April 2025. Prior Notes remain:
• Notice of proposed action with affidavit of mailing not on file for the action described beginning line 4 of page 3 of the Report. 
      o    On 10/15/25, the court ordered the above be filed prior to this hearing. Not on file.
Proposed distribution submitted to court for determination. An account appears required if the court does not approve the proposed distribution. [Notarized waivers of account not on file from the three contingent beneficiaries of the residue (charitable entities).]
Hearing required. Need status of meet-and-confer.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000007 ESTATE OF FELIPE PENA, AKA FELIPE DE JESUS PENA
Hearing on Order to Show Cause issued 10/16/25 to personal representative’s counsel:
To appear and show cause why sanctions or surcharge should not be imposed for failure to appear on 10/16/25 and failure to file receipts of distribution following the court’s Order file-marked 03/25/25.

Discharge Review Hearing continued from 10/16/25:
Nothing filed since previous hearing. Prior Note remains:
None of the six receipts on distribution on file.
Appearance by counsel mandatory (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000709 ESTATE OF CONSUELO GLADYS QUINTERO
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 06/17/26 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-24-000757 ESTATE OF DARRELL VERN BYE, JR. AKA DARRELL V. BYE, JR. DARRELL BYE

Hearing on Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary (filed by M. Bye) continued from 09/19/24, 12/12/24, 07/03/25, 12/02/25:
Will is not self-proving per Local Rule 8.23.  Proof of Subscribing Witness on file.
Opposition filed – 09/05/25, by D. Ferreira (will contest). Service appears complete.

Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration (filed by D. Ferreira) continued from 09/04/24, 09/19/24, 12/12/24, 07/03/25, 12/02/25:
Objection filed – 09/05/25, by M. Bye.

Possible long-cause matter.
Appearance by counsel required. Anyone choosing to appear may do so either in person or remotely, by telephone, using VCourt.

PR-24-001088 ESTATE OF JOHN C. TOWNER, AKA JOHN CLIFFORD TOWER, AKA JOHN C. TOWNER, JR. AKA JACK TOWNER, AKA JAMES TOWNER
(1)    Hearing on Petition for Removal of Personal Representatives (filed by Robert Sanders) continued from 10/09/25, 10/16/25:
Nothing filed since last hearing.  Prior notes remain:
•    Petition is not verified by petitioner.
•    Notice of hearing not on file.
•    Proposed Order not yet submitted.

(2)    Petition to Determine Ownership of Real Property; for Cancellation of Void Instruments; to Quiet Title for Declaratory Relief; and for Double Damages and Attorneys’ Fees continued from 10/16/25: 
Nothing filed since last hearing. 
•    Notice of hearing not on file.
ADDITIONAL REVIEW IN PROGRESS. PLEASE CHECK BACK.

PR-24-001127 ESTATE OF MARILYN ANN METTLER, AKA MARILYN A. METTLER, MARILYN ANN MONTGOMERY 
Hearing on Amended (file-marked 01/12/26) First and Final Report on Waiver of Account, Petition for Allowance of Compensation to Attorneys and Executor for Ordinary Services, for Allowance of Payment of Personal Representative’s Creditor’s Claim for Funeral Expenses, for Reimbursement of Costs Advanced by Attorneys, for Annuity Payments to be Made to the Trust, for Allowance of Trustee to Pay Expenses Out of the Trust Corpus, and for Final Distribution continued from 01/08/26:
Other prior notes have been cured.
•    Prior Note remains: A notarized waiver of account not on file from the Trustee, as the person entitled to distribution from the estate. See PrC§§10954, 1208.
Recommend continuance to 03/13/26 to allow time to cure defects.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-001159 ESTATE OF JENNIFER ERIN BRASIL    
Account Review Hearing:
A Petition for Preliminary Distribution has been filed and set for hearing 03/25/26.
Hearing of 03/25/26 will be confirmed.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000965 ESTATE OF FRANCIS EARL ESPINOZA

2. Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration (filed by J. Carlos-Marquez, seeking appointment of M. Makler, CLPF, as personal representative):
Petition item 8 did not include the proposed administrator. (Local Rule 8.26 D).
Requested bond of $576,400.00 appears adequate.
Need proposed Order & Letters.

1.    Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration (filed by J. Carlos-Marquez, seeking appointment of self as personal representative) continued from 10/15/25:
Requested bond of $576,400.00 appears adequate.

Original petition has not been withdrawn/dismissed.
Hearing required.

Appearance required (by VCourt if preferred). 

PR-24-000426 ESTATE OF RAUL PALAZUELOS
Hearing on PrC§12200 Status Report:   
•    Notice of hearing for 02/04/26 hearing not on file.
On 11/13/25, this Court directed personal representative to perfect notice.
Recommend court order personal representative to perfect notice pursuant to PrC§12201 before the next hearing or surcharge may be imposed. If the Petition for Final Distribution is filed prior to the next hearing, the next hearing may be vacated.
Recommend continuance to 03/17/26 to coincide with previously set Account Review Hearing and allow time for notice .
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000298 ESTATE OF SOTERO S. RAMOS, AKA SOTERO SILVEIRA RAMOS, AKA SOTERO RAMOS
Hearing on Amended Petition for an Order of Final Distribution of Insolvent Estate; First and Final Account and Report or Executor; Petition for Allowance of Statutory and Extraordinary Attorney’s and Executor’s Statutory Fees and Costs; Petition for Reimbursement of Personal Monies Advanced; and Petition for Authorization to Pay Prorated Creditor’s Claim:
Recommend approval of petition.
Recommend Discharge Review Hearing 08/20/26 pursuant to Local Rule 8.92.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000381 ESTATE OF PAUL AMOS ROBERTS
Hearing on Petition for Settlement on Final Account, for Order Allowing Statutory Compensation of Attorney’s Fees, Administrator Fees, Reimbursement of Costs and Final Distribution:
REVIEW IN PROGRESS. PLEASE CHECK BACK.

PR-25-001053 MATTER OF CHARLIE AND YVONNE WILSON TRUST
Hearing on Petition for Conveyance or Transfer of Property Claimed to Belong to Trust:
REVIEW IN PROGRESS. PLEASE CHECK BACK.

PR-25-001352 ESTATE OF DONALD PAUL FARRIS
Hearing on Domestic Partner Property Petition:
If no one appears to object, Recommend approval of Petition.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001354 ESTATE OF PAMELA C. SANDERS, AKA PAMELA CAROL SANDERS
Hearing on Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters of Administration with Will Annexed:
Examiner notes the Petition box is checked “Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary.”  This appears to be an oversight as the rest of the petition and other filings indicate this is a petition for probate of will and for letters of administration with Will annexed.
Requested bond of $410,000.00 appears adequate based on estimated value of estate alleged in the petition.
•    Proof of holographic instrument or Declaration not on file. See Probate Code sections 6111 and 8222, Judicial Council form DE-135.
•    Affidavit of publication not yet on file. See Local Rule 8.12.
Recommend continuance to 3/20/26 to allow time to file above pleadings.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001359 ESTATE OF ARNOLD S. FRIED, AKA ARNOLD STEPHEN FRIED
Letters of Special Administration in effect, expire upon appointment of personal representative.
Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration:
•    Petition item 1 did not include the name of the newspaper where Petitioner intends to publish notice. See Probate Code section 8121 and the court’s website here: https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/divisions/probate/newspapers 
•    Form DE-147, Duties and Liabilities, item 2 did not include the proposed administrator’s telephone number.
•    Affidavit of publication not on file. See Local Rule 8.12.
•    Forms DE-140 and DE-150, Proposed Order and Letters, not submitted.
Note by Examiner, not a defect: Petitioner does not appear to have priority of appointment; Petitioner is a nominee of a person that does not have highest priority (Probate Code sections 8461, 8465). A person with higher priority does not appear to have filed a competing petition.
Recommend continuance to 05/20/26 to allow time to cure defects.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001363 ESTATE OF RONALD CLARK
Hearing on Spousal Property Petition:
•    Related items 1b and 7b do not agree. Item 7b reflects that the petitioner has requested a court order confirming property belonging to the surviving spouse, but the actual request for that order, item 1b, was not checked.
•    Petition item 5a(2) was not completed (existence of issue of a predeceased child).
•    Petition item 5b was not completed (existence of stepchild or foster child who would have been adopted but for a legal barrier).
•    Attachment 9 omitted the ages of the heirs/devisees (the court may require a Guardian ad litem for any heir that has not yet reached adulthood).
•    Will is not self-proving per Local Rule 8.23.  Proof of Subscribing Witness (Form DE-131) not on file.
•    Notice of Hearing not on file.
•    Proposed Order not yet submitted.
Note by Examiner, not a defect: both of the grant deeds attached as exhibits reflect that the decedent and surviving spouse held title as joint tenants. Nothing on file to date indicates why petitioner has not recorded an Affidavit of Death of Joint Tenant or why such a document would not suffice to transfer these non-probate assets.
Recommend continuance to 05/19/26 to allow time to cure defects.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).