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Probate Notes

Probate Examiner and Probate Notes

Questions regarding fees, forms or status of orders should be directed to the Probate Unit of The Superior Court of California, County of Stanislaus Clerk's Office at 209-530-3100 (option 7/option 4) between the hours of 8:15 a.m. -  3:00 p.m., Monday - Friday.

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.


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.
 

Public Notices

    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.

      Probate Notes

      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:
      PrC §12200 Status Report filed and set for hearing 09/22/26. 
      Hearing of 09/22/26 will be confirmed.
      Appearance not 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.
      Recommend continuance to 09/15/26, to trail the hearing on the 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:
      a. The court will direct the personal representative to prepare and file a verified Supplement pursuant to CRC rule 7.3 and 7.53 reflecting the specific additional property received after the Petition was filed on 04/23/26 and the specific amount of cash on hand in the estate. 
      b. The court will approve extraordinary fees for the number of hours pled, but at the reduced rate of $450.00 per hour for attorney H.S.; and at the reduced rate of $165.00 for the paralegals.
           i.    Please prepare an updated Schedule of proposed distribution and attach it to the Supplement required as stated above.
      c. A Corrected Partial No. 2 (and Final) Inventory and Appraisal was filed the day prior to the hearing and will be reviewed before the next hearing. Please refer to Local Rule 8.02.
      Recommend continuance to 09/15/26, to allow time for filing of the above Supplement and for review of the Corrected Final Inventory and Appraisal.

      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.
      Petition for Final Distribution has been filed and set for hearing on 09/23/26.
      Hearing of 09/23/26 will be confirmed.
      Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).
       

      PR-25-000455 ESTATE OF MELISSA ANN ZEPEDA
      Account Review Hearing:
      A Petition for Final Distribution has been filed and set for hearing 09/16/26.
      Hearing of 09/16/26 will be confirmed.
      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-25-001333 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.
      Recommend Account Review Hearing 04/06/27 pursuant to Local Rule 8.82.
      Appearance not required (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.
      Partial No. 1 I&A filed 07/28/26.
      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:
      Recommend approval of petition as supplemented.
      Recommend Discharge Review Hearing 02/25/27 pursuant to Local Rule 8.92.
      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:
      •    This petition appears to plead independent civil causes of action.  Proof of service of Civil Summons is not on file.  (CCP §§412.20, 413.10 et seq, PrC §1000).  Matter of independent civil causes of action in a probate petition submitted to judge for determination.
      •    Lis pendens not on file (CCP § 761.010(b)).
      Appearances required (by VCourt if preferred).
       

      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.
            o    Proof of service filed 07/29/26 reflects copies of the petition and notice were mailed to County Counsel and the Public Administrator on 07/29/26.
      • 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.
      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:

      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. Will be 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. 
      Recommend continuance to 10/21/26 pursuant to request from petition and his counsel to allow time to cure defects. 
      Appearance not required. (Anyone wishing to appear 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:
      Notes have been cured.
      Recommend approval of petition, if no one appears to object.
      Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

      ADD-ON:
      PR-26-000787 MATTER OF JAMES G. HORNER AND DIANE G. HORNER REVOCABLE TRUST
      Hearing on Ex Parte Application for Order Temporarily Suspending Powers of Co-Trustee Justin Brian Horner and Compelling Surrender of Trust Property:
      •    Bodies of the Ex Parte Application and the underlying Petition omitted the names and mailing addresses of those entitled to notice (PrC§17201).
      Appearance required (by VCourt if preferred).

      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.
      On 07/29/26, the personal representative’s attorney filed an unverified Declaration alleging that all Inventory and Appraisal forms had been filed (does not appear to be the case, since a “Final” Inventory and Appraisal is required by statute and one has not been filed), and that a Petition for Final Distribution has been drafted and is ready to be filed. 
      •    The Report may have been intended to serve as an PrC§12200 Status Report, but it was neither signed nor verified by the personal representative, the filing fee of $200.00 was not paid, and the Report was not set for hearing.
      •    No proof of service was attached or filed separately.
      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.
      Order to Show Cause will be discharged pursuant to the court’s minute order dated 04/01/26 as Letters and Inventory is on file.

      (2)    Inventory Review Hearing continued 04/01/26:
      Letters have been issued.
      Inventory and Appraisal on file.
      Recommend Account Review Hearing 06/16/27 pursuant to Local Rule 8.82.
      Appearance not 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:
      •    Copies of the Petition were not provided with the Notice of Hearing (item 5 on page 2 of the Notice of Hearing). See PrC§851(a).
      •    Notice of Hearing (by mail) appears defective and untimely as to Michael Van Winkle: the petition reflects that and he appears to be a person claiming an interest in the property. See PrC§851(a) and CCP§413.10 et seq.
      •    Notice to Morgan Stanley not on file.
      •    As this petition is filed pursuant to both Probate Code section 850 and section 17200, both forms DE-115, Notice of Hearing on Petition to Determine Claim to Property, and DE-120, Notice of Hearing-Decedent’s Estate or Trust, appear required. See PrC§851 and PrC§17203.
      •    Order not yet submitted.
      Hearing Required.
      Appearance required (by VCourt if preferred).

      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.
      Prior Note has been cured. 
      Recommend approval of petition as supplemented and admission of Will to probate.
      Recommend Inventory Review Hearing 02/04/27 pursuant to Local Rule 8.41 B.
      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).

      THURSDAY, AUGUST 06, 2026
      Department 22
      8:30 a.m.

      PR-22-001276 ESTATE OF GEORGIANNA MOSS
      Inventory Review Hearing continued from 08/20/25, 12/10/25 03/24/26:
      Letters issued 01/02/25. Inventory and Appraisal due 04/02/25.
      Final Inventory and Appraisal is on file.
      Prior notes:
      •    Appraisal totals were omitted on page 1. 
      •    I&A was not signed by both co-special administrators pursuant to PrC §8852(b).
      •    The I&A lists an IRA account.  Did this account designate a pay on death beneficiary? Please explain.
      Corrected Inventory and Appraisal not on file.
      On 03/24/26, the court directed status report to be filed before next hearing.
      Status report(s) not on file. 
      Need status.
      Appearances required (by VCourt if preferred)

      PR-25-000725 MATTER OF MOSS 2001 REVOCABLE TRUST

      2.   Hearing on Demurrer:
      SEE TENTATIVE RULING, to be posted day prior to hearing at https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/online-services/tentative-rulings/…

      1.    Hearing on Petition for an Order to Recover Real Property Belonging to the Trust and Request for Double Damages and Attorney’s Fees continued from 11/20/25, 03/24/26:
      Notice deemed complete on 03/24/26.
      Objection filed – 05/12/26, by Aaron Moss, Trustee (proof of service attached).
      Joinder to Objection filed – 05/12/26, by Aaron Moss, as an individual. 
      •    Joinder was not verified; no proof of service was attached or filed separately.

      Appearance by counsel and Aaron Moss (self-represented) required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-24-000169 ESTATE OF EMMA AGNEW
      Account Review Hearing continued from 03/26/26:
      Account Review Hearing will not be continued further.

      Hearing on First Amended First and Final Report of Administrator and Petition for Statutory Fees and Costs and for Final Distribution continued from 06/24/26:
      Nothing filed since previous hearing. Prior Notes remain:
      •    Line 26 on page 1: The date of death does not agree with the Order for Probate file-marked 12/05/24. If the Report and Petition is incorrect, please see CRC rules 7.3 and 7.53; if the Order for Probate was incorrect, the Administrator must file ex parte for an amended Order for Probate. See Probate Code section 8006(b).
      •    The 90-day limitations period recently elapsed for the creditor to file suit on the rejected claim (PrC§§9250, 9353). Please supplement the petition as to the disposition of that claim purs. to PrC§10900b)(3). See also CRC rules 7.3 and 7.53.
      •    The proposed distribution is 100% to the estate of the decedent’s sole heir, who passed away in 2020. If probate proceedings have commenced for the heir’s estate, please identify the personal representative of that estate and file a copy of the probate letters (certified if issued from another court). If probate proceedings have not commenced, to whom is the administrator proposing distribution? Prayer paragraph 6 (distribution to the persons entitled) is more vague than the petition paragraph 31 (distribution to the estate of Kathy Stratham).
      •    The pleading did not include either an accounting or a waiver of account. No waiver of account is on file from the personal representative of that estate of the deceased sole heir. An Accounting appears required. 
      On 06/24/26, the court terminated the Fee Waiver. Need status of payment of court costs.
      Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-24-000593 ESTATE OF VIVIAN ELIZABETH WHEELAND, AKA VIVIAN ELIZABETH PETRA OLSON

      Hearing on Order to Show Cause to personal representative issued 11/19/25 and continued from 03/24/26:
      To appear and show cause why the court should not impose surcharge, suspend and/or remove the personal representative from office for neglecting this case purs. to PrC§8500.

      Account Review Hearing continued from 03/24/26:
      Final Inventory and Appraisal is on file.
      Prior Notes remain:
      On 11/19/25 and again on 03/24/26, the court ordered personal representative to file a PrC§12200 Status Report (with Notice pursuant to PrC§12201) within forty-five (45) days. Not on file.
      •    Recommend court suspend the Administrator purs. to PrC§8500 for failure to abide by the court’s orders.
      •    Recommend court appoint the Public Administrator as Special Administrator with general powers. Recommend court request the Public Administrator to prepare a Report of the status of this estate and file it with the court before the next hearing, and serve a copy on the interested parties.
      •    Recommend continuance of Order to Show Cause to Administrator for surcharge and / or removal from office pursuant to PrC§8500. 
      •    At the next hearing, the court may instruct the Public Administrator to seek appointment as successor personal representative of this estate.
      Appearance by personal representative (self-represented) mandatory. Anyone appearing at this hearing may do so either in person or by telephone, by VCourt, if preferred.

      PR-24-000599 ESTATE OF GEORGETTE ARLENE ALBANO, AKA GEORGETTE A. ALBANO
      Hearing on Order to Show Cause issued to personal representative on 04/21/26:
      • To appear and show cause for failure to appear on 04/21/26 and for failure to file pleadings as directed.

      Account Review Hearing continued from 12/09/25, 04/21/26:
      On 12/09/25 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.
      • Administrator and Administrator’s counsel to appear 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 Administrator and Administrator’s counsel mandatory (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-25-000241 ESTATE OF BUGS BOUGUERBA
      Hearing on Third Amended Spousal Property Petition (file-marked 05/19/26) continued from 04/30/25, 09/04/25, 12/04/25, 03/25/26:
      • Petition item 9 did not include the relationships between those listed and the decedent.
      • Petition item 10 identifies the petitioner as the executor decedent’s will. The rest of the petition reflects petitioner’s allegation that the decedent died intestate (without a will). Please clarify.
      • Petition item 12 was not completed (alleging whether there is or has not been a petition for probate of the decedent’s estate filed).
      • Proposed Order, Form DE-226:
            o    Item 5a was checked, which does not agree with what the petition asked for.
            o    Item 8 was checked, which does not agree with what the petition asked for.
            o    Item 9 was completed, which is duplicative since item 7a was already checked.
            o    Attachments 7a were not attached: the list of property which will be confirmed as belonging to the petitioner. See the document you attached to the petition as Attachment 7b “Real Property Descriptions and Title Vesting”.
      Attached to the petition are four grant deeds, each of which reflects that the properties are held in either joint tenancy or as “community property with rights of survivorship”.
      Recommend court enquire of petitioner if she has attempted to record three (3) Affidavits of Death of Joint Tenants and one (1) Affidavit of Death of Spouse - Community Property.
      Appearance by petitioner (self-represented) required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-25-000459 MATTER OF OLDSON FAMILY TRUST
      Hearing on Petition for 1. Internal Affairs of a Trust and Contest of Accounting; 2. Breach of Fiduciary Duties by Former Trustee; 3. Surcharge of Former Trustee; 4. Elder Financial Abuse; 5. Attorney’s Fees continued from 09/04/25, 11/18/25:
      Nothing filed since previous hearing. Prior Note remains: Body of Petition omitted the names and mailing addresses of those entitled to notice (PrC§§17201, 15804).
      •    Recommend court set date certain for this defect to be cured or the case may be dismissed.
      Proposed Order omitted necessary findings purs. to WIC§15610.30 and PrC§859. 
      Objection filed – 03/19/26, by Respondent, W. Oldson.
      Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-25-000718 ESTATE OF SANDRA J. ARNETT
      Inventory Review Hearing continued from 04/21/26:
      Inventory and Appraisal is on file.
      Petition for Final Distribution has been filed and set for hearing on 09/23/26.
      Hearing of 09/23/26 will be confirmed.
      Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-25-000818 ESTATE OF MARY LOU LEE
      Inventory Review Hearing continued from 04/14/26:
      Letters Issued 10/08/25.  Inventory and Appraisal due 02/08/26.
      Inventory and Appraisal not on file at time of review.
      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-25-000956 ESTATE OF JAMES COWAN
      Inventory Review Hearing continued from 04/14/26:
      Letters Issued 02/19/26. Inventory and Appraisal due 06/19/26.
      Inventory and Appraisal not on file at time of review.
      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-23-001294 ESTATE OF MARY ELLA COHEN ESTATE OF MARY ELLA COHEN
      Hearing on PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration reset by Minute Order issued 06/17/26:
      • This report (file-marked 06/15/26) was not verified by the personal representative. The Report was also filed earlier than was strictly necessary pursuant to Local Rule 8.82 and Probate Code section 12200.
            o    Instead of correcting this defect in this Report, the personal representative filed another PrC§12200 Status Report, which has been set for hearing on 09/22/26. The personal representative cannot replace or supersede one pleading by filing another with the exact same title. Please see California Rules of Court rules 7.3, 7.53, and 7.102.
      • Notice of Hearing file-marked 07/09/26 appears defective: language omitted pursuant to PrC§12201(b). See the box halfway down page 1 of Form DE-120, between items 1 and 2.
      Declaration in Response to Status Report – filed 06/17/26, by intestate heir and Trustee of the “Frank L. Cohen Revocable Living Trust”, A. Broughton. The Declaration does not constitute a noticed petition asking for the court to take any action. 
      Recommend court drop today’s hearing for lack of proper notice.
      Recommend court confirm the hearing of 09/22/26 on the second PrC§12200 Status Report.
      Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-23-001293 ESTATE OF FRANK LANCE COHEN
      Hearing on PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration: 
      • This report (file-marked 06/15/26) was not verified by the personal representative. The Report was also filed earlier than was strictly necessary pursuant to Local Rule 8.82 and Probate Code section 12200.
            o    Instead of correcting this defect in this Report, the personal representative filed another PrC§12200 Status Report, which has been set for hearing on 09/23/26.
      • Notice of Hearing file-marked 07/09/26 appears defective: language omitted pursuant to PrC§12201(b). See the box halfway down page 1 of Form DE-120, between items 1 and 2.
            o    Another Notice of Hearing was filed, on 07/27/26, giving notice of a hearing on (per item 1 on the form) “[corrected] Status Report; (final and corrected] Inventory and Appraisal”. This NOH contains the same defect as the earlier NOH (see Note above). Also, there is no such document as a “[corrected] Status Report”; the personal representative filed one PrC§12200 Status Report on 06/15/26 and filed another one on 07/27/26, the latter was set for hearing on 09/23/26. Both Reports are titled exactly the same. The titles of probate pleadings matter. Please see California Rules of Court rules 7.3, 7.53, and 7.102. The personal representative cannot replace or supersede one pleading by filing another with the exact same title.
      Declaration in Response to Status Report – filed 06/17/26, by intestate heir and Trustee of the “Frank L. Cohen Revocable Living Trust”, A. Broughton. The Declaration does not constitute a noticed petition asking for the court to take any action. 
      Recommend court drop today’s hearing for lack of proper notice.
      Recommend court confirm the hearing of 09/23/26 on the second PrC§12200 Status Report.
      Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-24-001137 ESTATE OF LESLIE DAWN BATTLES
      Hearing on First and Final Report of Administrators on Waiver of Account and Petition for its Settlement; Petition for Allowance for Statutory Compensation for Ordinary and Extraordinary Services by the Attorney; for Reimbursement of Costs Advanced and for Final Distribution of Estate:
      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-25-001044 ESTATE OF DANIEL ABELINO LAND-ARELLANO, AKA DANIEL A. ARELLANO
      Hearing on Final Report of Administrator on Waiver of Account and Petition for its Settlement, for Allowance of Compensation to the Attorney for Ordinary Services, for Reimbursement of Costs Advanced and for Final Distribution:
      Notes cured.
      Recommend approval of petition as supplemented.
      Recommend Discharge Review Hearing 02/25/27 pursuant to Local Rule 8.92.
      Recommend court vacate Account Review Hearing 03/10/27.
      Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).
       

      PR-26-000623 MATTER OF SANDRA LASWELL LIVING TRUST
      Hearing on Petition to Compel Trustee; for Accounting; for Removal of Trustee; for the Return of Property; for Breach of Fiduciary Duty; for Elder or Dependent Financial Abuse; for Wrongful Taking; and for Attorneys Fees and Costs:

      Notice issues:
      Recommend court require petitioner to give notice to the estate of intestate heir EVELYN GOINS (survived Trustor but is now deceased), and the Trustee of the “Evelyn Goins Survivor’s Trust A” (paragraphs 24 and 25), as the petition includes allegations regarding estate accounts that may have been held jointly by decedent/Trustor and Evelyn Goins, or that may have named Evelyn Goins as pay-on-death beneficiary.
      • Notice of Hearing not on file for Respondent J. Hollenback.
      • Notice of Hearing appears defective on Respondent, K. Hollenbeck:
            o    Ought to be served twice in her separate capacities as an individual and as Trustee.
            o    Was served by mail. See PrC§851(a) and CCP§413.10 et seq.

      Probate Notes regarding petition:
      • The Petition did not include the names/addresses of the following individuals as being due notice purs. to PrC§17201:
            o    Respondent, J. Hollenback;
            o    The estate of deceased intestate heir (and possible account holder or pay-on-death beneficiary), E. Goins;
            o    The Trustee of the “Evelyn Goins Survivor’s Trust A”, alleged to be C.  Beck.
      • Please elaborate on paragraph 47 and 48 (allegations regarding Respondent J. Hollenback):
            o    When were the checks allegedly signed? 
            o    To whom were the checks written and for what amount(s)?
            o    In what way did Respondent/Trustee benefit?
      • Please elaborate on allegations re: elder or dependent financial abuse of E. Goins:
            o    What assets belonged to E. Goins?
            o    How did the Respondents interfere with assets belonging to E. Goins?
      • Prayer paragraph 1 requests the court require an account beginning 01/25/24 while the body of the petition (paragraph 45) seeks an account beginning 01/15/25.
      • Exhibit A (restated Trust) appears to be missing pages 3-1 and 3-2 (containing sections 3.01 through 3.05). 
            o    Those pages appear to include terms regarding the successor trustees; Examiner cannot determine if the Trust said anything about a bond being necessary for the alternate successor Trustee.
      • Exhibit C (letter dated 03/07/25 from Trustee’s counsel): page 1 is not legible. Please provide a clean and legible copy.
      • Exhibit F is not identified, described, or referenced as being attached within the body of the petition.

      Please provide points and authorities regarding: 
      • Petitioner’s request for court order that Respondent K. Hollenback, in her capacity as either Trustee or as an individual, account for financial accounts which petitioner alleges are not assets of the Trust, and which may have had either joint account-holders or pay-on-death beneficiaries. 
            o    What is petitioner’s “interest” in the intestate estate of decedent, Sandra Laswell, to seek, as an “interested person” return of property belonging to the intestate estate of decedent purs. to PrC§§850, 48? Petitioner does not appear to be an intestate heir.
            o    What authority does the court have, purs. to PrC§850, to compel the Respondent in either capacity, to account for property that does not belong to either the Trust nor the decedent’s estate (since they are alleged to be accounts with either a joint account-holder or designated pay-on-death beneficiaries)?
      • Petitioner’s standing to request that the Respondents be ordered to return property pursuant to PrC§850 belonging to the Trustor’s deceased mother, E. Goins (see petition paragraph 54). 
      • Petitioner’s request for court finding re: wrongful taking purs. to WIC§15610.30 as to the Trustor’s deceased mother, E. Goins (see paragraph 55). What is petitioner’s standing to make such a request on behalf of E. Goins?

      Hearing required, for court to consider recommendation regarding additional entities/individuals to be given notice.
      Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-26-000713 ESTATE OF JONATHAN GRIFFITH
      Hearing on Spousal Property Petition:
      • Petition item 5a(2) was left blank (existence of issue of a predeceased child).
      • Petition item 5b was left blank (existence of stepchild or foster child who would have been adopted but for a legal barrier).
      • Related items 1b and 7b do not agree. Item 1b is petitioner’s request for a court order confirming property belonging to the surviving spouse, but item 7b, identify the property belonging to the surviving spouse, was not checked.
            o    Attachment 7b was omitted.
      • Three of the decedent’s four children identified in item 9 are described as minors; Guardian ad Litem will be required for acceptance of Notice of Hearing on behalf of minors. See Local Rule 8.07.
      • Item 10 was completed, identifying the executor named in decedent’s will. The rest of the petition reflects petitioner’s allegation that the decedent died intestate (without a will). Please clarify.
      • Attachment 7 was omitted. See Local Rule 8.98.
      • Attachment 7a: please more particularly describe the type of account, not only the name of the financial institution and the account number.
      • Did decedent designate a pay-on-death beneficiary of the account identified in Attachment 7a?
      • If one or more assets at issue are real property, petitioner must attach a copy of the most recent recorded deed showing current title. See Local Rule 8.98 B.
      • Notice of Hearing not on file (PrC§§13655, 1220).
      • Proposed Order not yet submitted.
      Recommend continuance to 11/12/26 to allow time to cure defects.
      Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-26-000714 ESTATE OF MAVERICK LAMOUR ARMSTRONG
      Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration:
      •    Petition item 8 did not properly label the proposed personal representative (Local Rule 8.26 D).
      •    Waivers of bond [Form DE-142/DE-111(A-3e)] not on file for all intestate 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 $301,000.00.
      •    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-150, Letters, not submitted.
      Recommend continuance to 09/15/26 to allow time to cure defects.
      Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-26-000715 ESTATE OF PATRICK VERNON SMITH
      Hearing on Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary:

      Defects in the Petition, Form DE-111:
      • Heading of page 1 did not include a checkmark in box “Authorization to Administer Under the Independent Administration of Estates Act”.
      • Item 3c was left blank (the street address, city, and county of decedent’s residence when he died).
      • Item 3h was left blank (proposed personal representative’s residency).
      • Item 4 was left blank (stating that the decedent’s will does not preclude administration under the Independent Administration of Estates Act).
      • Item 5a(3) or (4) was left blank (existence of registered domestic partner).
      • Item 5a(3) or (4) was left blank (existence of issue of a predeceased child).
      • Item 8 must include names as they are spelled in the Will; petitioner may include aliases (AKA’s) to identify the correct individuals.

      Defects in the file:
      • Need Amended Duties and Liabilities, Form DE-147: telephone number omitted from item 2 on page 2.
      • 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-150, Proposed Letters, not submitted.
      • Will is not self-proving per Local Rule 8.23.  Proof of Subscribing Witness (Form DE-131) not on file.
      • Two specific devisees of decedent’s will are identified in the petition as being minors; the Waivers of Bond on file from these two devisees appear to have been signed by the Petitioner.
            o    A Guardian ad litem would appear necessary in order for the court to consider not requiring a bond from the proposed personal representative, as the petitioner lacks standing to waive bond on the children’s behalf. Please see Local Rule 8.07.

      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-26-000725 ESTATE OF ANTOINETTE DYAMOND RICHARDSON
      Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration:

      Defects in the Petition, Form DE-111:
      • Heading of page 1 did not include a checkmark in box “Authorization to Administer Under the Independent Administration of Estates Act”.
      • Item 1 does not name the newspaper where the petitioner intends to publish notice.
      • Item 2b does not include the name of the proposed Administrator.
      • Item 2c was left blank (whether the petitioner seeks full or limited authority under the Independent Administration of Estates Act.
      • Item 5a(3) or (4) was left blank (existence of registered domestic partner).
      • Item 5a(3) or (4) was left blank (existence of issue of a predeceased child).
      • Item 8 must include the relationships of all those listed to the decedent.
      • Item 8 does not include any one other than the petitioner, although item 5a reflects that the decedent was survived by at least one child.

      Defects in the file:
      • Need Amended Duties and Liabilities, Form DE-147: telephone number omitted from item 2 on page 2.
      • Affidavit of publication not on file. See Local Rule 8.12.
      • Forms DE-140 and DE-150, Proposed Order and Letters, not submitted.
      • Form DE-121, Notice of Petition, file-marked 07/09/26 contains the following defects:
            o    Item 4 was checked, even though the petition reflects that the decedent died without a will.
            o    Item 10 is missing petitioner’s name.
            o    The only person given notice was the petitioner herself, even though the petition item 5a indicates the decedent was survived by at least one child and perhaps more.

      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).

      FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2026
      Department 22
      8:30 a.m.

      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 continued from 02/03/26, 06/11/26:

      All receipts have been reviewed by the Examiner. The court on 06/11/26 gave instruction re: reimbursement of mileage and disbursements for vacations. 

      1.    Petitioner asked the court to take judicial notice of a Declaration filed in 2024, which supplemented the Fifth Account Current, as a means of curing a Probate Note for this, the Sixth Account Current. 
      Recommend denial of the request for judicial notice. 
      Recommend court affirm that each accounting and report thereon must independently contain an explanation of unusual circumstances purs. to PrC§1064(a)(2), and that therefore, in every accounting, the Trustee will need to explain the relationships of payees when there are frequent disbursements to the same individuals reflected in the Schedules. In every accounting when there are distributions that are not obviously for the benefit of the beneficiary (such as gifts to others, meals purchased for others, stipends paid to others), the Trustee will be expected to show that the distributions did not reduce or eliminate the beneficiary’s eligibility for public benefits, or, in the alternative, if the distributions would or did reduce/eliminate the beneficiary’s eligibility, that the distributions were in the beneficiary's best interest and Trustee acted in good faith. (McGee v. State Dep't of Health Care Services (2023) 91 Cal.App.5th 1161, 1174–1176.) 
      2.    The review of this accounting had to include the review of hundreds of receipts offered by the Trustee for reimbursements to herself and to third parties (such as the conservator) because of the Trustee’s practice of using her own funds, or the funds of others, to purchase goods and services for the benefit of the beneficiary, and then later reimbursing herself or the third parties from the Trust funds. Such reimbursements require meticulous record-keeping and the production of receipts at the time of the accounting. Where feasible, it is better to pay vendors directly from the Trust. Recommend court offer Trustee guidance on this practice, as she will have to provide receipts for all future reimbursements.

      Appearance by Trustee and Trustee’s counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-24-000325 ESTATE OF SOCORRO GARZA, AKA SOCORRO G. GARZA
      Hearing on First and Final Report on Waivers of Account and Petition for its Approval; Petition for Order of Final Distribution; and for Allowance of Payment of Statutory Fees; and Reimbursement of Costs Advanced continued from 05/20/26:
      •    Prior Notes have been addressed.
      Recommend approval of petition as supplemented by counsel’s Declaration file-marked 07/28/26.
      Recommend Discharge Review Hearing 02/25/27 pursuant to Local Rule 8.92.
      Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-24-000898 ESTATE OF GEORGIA RUTH GAMA
      Court’s Motion to Dismiss set per Minute Order 07/13/26:
      Settlement not on file.
      Need status of settlement.
      Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-24-001128 ESTATE OF SARENA SUE GAWTHORP
      Hearing on Waiver of Account, Report of Administrator, Petition for Allowance of Statutory Fees to Personal Representative, and Attorney and for Final Distribution continued from 05/14/26, 06/05/26:
      Prior defects cured.
      • Need new order.  Proposed order submitted 03/16/26:
            o    Reflects an appearance was made. An appearance will not be required. 
            o    Distribution amounts (including compensation and costs) do not match the Supplemental Declaration filed.
      Recommend approval of Petition and Account as supplemented.
      Recommend Discharge Review Hearing 02/25/27 pursuant to Local Rule 8.92.
      Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-24-001150 ESTATE OF BEVERLY ANN SARABIA
      (1)    Hearing on Petition for the Termination of Further Proceedings and for Discharge of the Personal Representative and for an Order (PrC §12251) continued from 07/07/26:
      Prior defects cured.
      Notice appears appropriate.
      If no one appears to object, Recommend approval of Petition as supplemented.
      Recommend court discharge Personal Representative and close the estate.
      • Need new order. Proposed Order submitted 05/07/26:
            o    Omitted a statement of the Court’s finding regarding notice [see PrC§1260].  Please note, the court’s finding that notice is complete should not appear under language “Petitioner alleges” or “It is so ordered”. 
            o    When resubmitting a new proposed order, please ensure today’s hearing date is reflected on the order.

      (2)    Inventory Review Hearing continued from 07/15/26:
      Recommend court drop this hearing as moot.

      Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-26-000441 ESTATE OF MEI ZHEN MEI
      Hearing on Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary continued from 07/07/26:
      Nothing filed since previous hearing. Prior Note remains:
      •    Affidavit of publication not on file. See Local Rule 8.12.
      Appearance by petitioner (self-represented) required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-26-000464 ESTATE OF JON F. CHRISTIANSEN, AKA JON CHRISTIANSEN
      Hearing on Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters of Administration with Will Annexed continued from 07/21/26:
      Will is not self-proving. Proof of Subscribing Witness (Form DE-131) are on file. 
      Some prior defects cured. One remains:
      •    Proposed Letters, Form DE-150, not yet submitted
      Requested bond of $480,000.00 appears adequate based on estimated value of estate alleged in the petition.
      Recommend approval of petition as supplemented.  
      Recommend Inventory Review Hearing 02/09/27 pursuant to Local Rule 8.41 B.
      Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-26-000536 ESTATE OF DAVID JOHN PAULUK
      Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration continued from 07/14/26:
      Waiver of Bond on file for all intestate heirs.
      • Form DE-121 Notice of Petition to Administer Estate appears defective:  
            o    Notice of Petition to Administer Estate reflects an incorrect court address; thus, new notice will be required.  Please note the correct address for the Court is: 801 10th Street, Modesto, CA 95354
            o    Item 2 reflects incorrect county. 
      Prior Note:
      • The Affidavits of publication file-marked 07/07/26 and 07/13/26 both reflect that notice of this hearing was published only twice. Pursuant to Probate Code sections 8120 through 8125, three publications are required.
            o    Affidavit of publication file marked 07/31/26 reflects that notice was inserted in three publications (07/17/26, 07/24/26, and 07/31/26); however, publication is defective: reflects that the notice published reflecting the prior hearing date of 07/14/26 rather than today’s hearing which means that publication was effectuated on dates after the hearing instead of before the hearing date.  
            o    Republication will be required.
      Recommend continuance to 09/18/26 to allow time to perfect notice.
      Appearance not required (anyone appearing may do so either in person, or remotely, by telephone, using VCourt). 

      MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026

      No decedent's estates, or trust matters on calendar

      TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2026

      Department 23
      8:30 a.m.

      PR-23-001096 ESTATE OF JONATHAN DAVID BALINSON, AKA JONATHAN D. BALISON, JON BALINSON
      Hearing on Petition for Approval of Distribution of Closing Reserve: 
      REVIEW IN PROGRESS. PLEASE CHECK BACK.

      Department 22
      8:30 a.m.

      PR-21-000338 ESTATE OF GARY GILES
      Hearing on Second Amended (file marked 02/18/26) Fourth PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration reset on the court’s own motion from 08/06/25, continued from 08/13/25, 10/28/25, 02/24/26, 04/17/26:
      Notice is now complete. One prior note remains:
      •    Item 7 on Second amended status report omitted how much time is requested to close the estate. Instead, petitioner attached a letter addressed to one of the Probate Examiners outlining the remaining issues of the estate and included a spreadsheet which is alleged to be a accounting. This is not the appropriate method for completing a Status Report nor an accounting.  The status report should tell the Court how much time is needed to close the estate.  Please see Probate Code section 12201(a). 
      See California Rules of Court rules 7.3 and 7.53 regarding the types of pleadings that may be used to address these defects.
      Need status of the estate.
      Appearance by personal representative (self-represented) required (Anyone appearing may do so in person or remotely, by telephone, using VCourt).

      PR-21-000924 ESTATE OF CYNTHIA JOAN CULBRETH
      (1)    Order to Show Cause issued 04/23/26 to personal representative, Sar Culbreth:
      To appear and show cause why he/she should not be removed from office pursuant to Probate Code section 8502.

      (2)    Order to Show Cause issued 04/23/26 to personal representative, Cynthia Culbreth:
      To appear and show cause why he/she should not be removed from office pursuant to Probate Code section 8502.

      (3)    Account Review Hearing continued from 03/12/25, 04/11/25, 08/20/25, 12/10/25, 04/23/26:
      On 12/10/25, the court directed personal representative to file a petition for final distribution within 45 days. 
      On 04/23/26, the court referred the matter to Public Administrator and County Counsel for possible appointment of administrator.
      Petition for Final Distribution not on file at the time of review.  See Local Rule 8.82. 
      Appearance by co-Administrators and Administrator’s counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-23-000749 MATTER OF ARLETE B. HEMPHILL 2021 REVOCABLE TRUST 
      3)  Hearing on First and Final Account and Request for Approval of Accounting filed 04/16/26 by Successor Trustee William Hemphill continued from 06/11/26:
      Nothing filed since previous hearing. Prior Notes remain:
      •    Pleading was not verified. See California Rule of Court 7.103, California Code of Civil Procedure sections 2015.5, 446.
      •    Pleading did not include Trustee’s statements required by PrC§1064(a)(1-5).
      •    Pleading did not include a prayer. Pursuant to PrC§1064(b), the filing of an account shall be deemed to include a petition requesting its approval. 
      •    Summary of Account omitted. See Local Rule 8.65 and PrC§§1060-4. Please include the specific end date of the account.
      •    Please provide a Schedule for Property on Hand at Beginning of Account Period. See Local Rule 8.65 and PrC§§1060-4. 
      •    Please provide a Schedule for Property on Hand at End of Account Period. See Local Rule 8.65 and PrC§§1060-4.
      •    Please provide a Schedule of Market Value for Property on Hand at Beginning/End of Account Period [PrC§1063(a)].
      •    Notice of Hearing not on file.

      2)  Hearing on Petition for (1) Order Granting Court Instruction to Trustee with Regard to the Administration of the Trust and its Termination in Case of Automatic Termination by Operation of Law in Order to Align Administration of the Trust with the Intent of the Settlor and the Purpose of the Trust; and (2) Dismissal of Entire Trust Action Against William Hemphill filed 04/17/25 by Successor Trustee William Hemphill continued from 08/27/25, 10/30/25, 02/24/26, 04/14/26:
      Objection filed – 05/19/25 by Catherine Hemphill.
      Objection filed – 10/14/25 by Robert Hemphill.

      Nothing filed since previous hearing. Prior Notes remain:

      On 10/30/25, the court directed petitioner to give notice of hearing to the buyers, “the Alvarados”. 
      The court later found the Notice of Hearing file-marked 11/17/25 defective as it gave the incorrect hearing of the continuance. 
      On 04/14/26, the court ordered notice be given to the Alvarados before this hearing on 08/11/26. Notice of Hearing not on file. 

      1)  Hearing on Petition for an Accounting and Breach of Trust filed 12/18/24 by Robert Hemphill continued from 04/29/25, 08/27/25, 10/30/25, 02/24/26, 04/14/26:
      Notice appears complete.
      Objection filed – 04/14/25 by Successor Trustee William Hemphill. 
      A separate Response, with First and Final Accounting, and Request for Approval of Accounting was filed 02/23/26, also by Successor Trustee William Hemphill. If any filer wishes the court to approve an Accounting, the Accounting ought to be filed as its own separate pleading not attached to a Response, as a Response is itself only a reply to another cause of action and not a cause of action of itself; the Accounting would need to be set for hearing by the clerk’s office so that notice of hearing may be given. Notice of hearing file-marked 02/25/26 reflects notice was given only to Julie A. Alvarado and Mark Samule Alvarado.
      Possible long-cause matter. Need status of meet-and-confer.

      Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-24-000950 ESTATE OF SATYEN HARSHAD DESAI 
      (1)    Hearing on Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters of Administration with Will Annexed (file marked 09/03/24 by Paresh Jayram Patel and Paresh Babubhai Patel) continued from 10/08/24, 02/13/25, 03/20/25, 08/26/25, 03/10/26:
      Objection and Will Contest filed – 11/22/24 by Minal Satyen Desai
      On 03/20/25, the court continued this matter to allow time to file Proof of Service of Summons.
      On 08/26/25, the Court directed that each petitioner must perfect service on the Will contest prior to the next hearing or the Will contest may be dismissed. 
      On 03/10/26, the Court indicated that notice on the Will contests to be perfected by next hearing or the Court will dismiss those petitions.
      •    Proof of service of Summons for all parties not yet on file pursuant to PrC§8250, CCP§415.10 et seq.

      Prior defects in petition file marked 09/03/24 cured. 
      •    Need Proposed Order. 
      •    Need Letters. Letters not submitted at time of review.

      (1a) Hearing on Subsequent Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary (file marked 11/22/24 by Minal Satyen Desai) continued from 01/09/25, 02/13/25, 03/20/25, 08/26/25, 03/10/26:
      Prior defects cured.
      Objection and Will Contest filed – 01/08/25 by Yashasvi Desai
      On 03/10/26, the Court indicated that notice on the Will contests to be perfected by next hearing or the Court will dismiss those petitions.
      •    Summons have been issued by Yashasvi Desai for thirteen parties. 
      o    Proof of service of Summons for all parties not yet on file pursuant to PrC§8250, CCP§415.10 et seq.
      o    Notice and Acknowledgement of Receipts on file for three parties. Service on their attorney was effectuated as required, but service on the petitioner is also required. See California Rules of Court rule 7.51(b) and Probate Code section 1214.
      o    Proof of service attached reflects a copy was served by email; notice of consent to electronic service not on file for any parties or attorneys; further, the proof of service provides only an email address and not the name of the person or entity served.  See CRC rule 2.251(B).
      o    Pursuant to CRC rule 7.51(2), notice mailed to a person in care of another person is insufficient unless the person entitled to notice is an adult and has directed the party giving notice in writing to send the notice in care of the second person.
      o    Notice to a minor must be sent directly to the minor.  A separate copy of the notice must be sent to the person or persons having legal custody of the minor, with whom the minor resides [CRC rule 7.51(d)].
      o    Declaration of Due Diligence on file for the following parties: Nirup Reddy
      and Heman Vyas will be submitted to Judge for determination.

      (2)    Hearing on Spousal Property Petition (file marked 11/22/24 by Minal Satyen Desai) continued from 01/09/25, 02/13/25, 03/20/25, 08/26/25, 03/10/26: 
      Notice appears complete.
      Response and Objection filed – 01/08/25 by Yashasvi Desai
      On 03/20/25, the court directed counsel to file a declaration re status of cases in India by next hearing.  Declaration on file (file marked 08/25/25). 
      On 03/20/25, the Court gave leave to file an amended petition.  Amended Petition is not on file.
      Surviving Spouse’s Election on file electing not have her community and quasi-community property share administered in Satyen’s Estate.
      Need current status of Indian cases.

      (3)    Hearing on Petition for Letters of Special Administration with General Powers (file marked 02/03/25 by Yashasvi Desai to appoint Anthony Johnston, Esq) continued from 03/20/25, 08/26/25, 03/10/26:
      On 08/26/25, the court granted petition and letters of special administration have been issued.  Nothing pending. This hearing remains on calendar to trail with competing general petitions at the request of petitioner in case there becomes an issue with S.A, Mr. McNitt.

      (4)    Account Review Hearing continued from 03/10/26:
      •    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.
      Hearing required.
      Appearances required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-24-001144 ESTATE OF CHARLES JOSEPH RUSSELL, AKA CHARLES J. RUSSELL
      Inventory Review Hearing:
      Letters Issued 02/26/26.  Inventory and Appraisal due 06/26/26.
      Inventory and Appraisal not on file at time of review.
      Recommend continuance to 11/05/26 to allow time to file above pleading.
      Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-24-001191 MATTER OF LIVING TRUST OF ORALIA E. BAUTISTA
      1.    Hearing on Order to Show Cause issued 07/16/25 to Objector/competing petitioner’s counsel continued from 11/18/25, 04/02/26:
      Nothing filed (besides a substitution of attorney) in fifteen months.
      Objector/competing petitioner to appear and show cause why the combined Objection and Petition (file-marked 05/01/25) should not be stricken with fifteen (15) days’ leave to amend. [Cf. Katzenstein v. Chabad of Poway (2015) 237 Cal.App.4th 759, 766; Code Civ. Proc., § 431.30(c)].

      The Court on 07/16/25 set the deadline for any brief in opposition to the OSC to be filed and served at least fourteen (14) days before the continued hearing date. Any brief in response to an opposition to be filed and served at least seven (7) days before the continued hearing date. Nothing has been filed in more than a year: no briefs, no reports.

      On 11/18/25, the court ordered that if this matter were not resolved, the court would on 04/02/26 make the order reflected in the OSC.

      On 04/02/26, the court ordered that if this matter were not resolved, the court would on 08/11/26 make the order reflected in the OSC.

      2.    Hearing on Petition for Order Determining Trust’s Title to Personal Property continued from 03/18/25, 07/16/25, 11/18/25, 04/02/26:
      Nothing filed (besides a substitution of attorney) in fifteen months.

      Objection filed – 05/01/25. Objection included a separate cause of action: request for court order invalidating the trust instrument (trust contest). 
      •    There has been no petition set for hearing purs. to PrC§17200 et seq. and notice of hearing has not been provided purs. to PrC§17203.

      On 11/18/25, the court ordered joint or separate status reports be filed no fewer than fifteen days prior to the hearing of 04/02/26. None filed. 

      On 04/02/26, the court ordered joint or separate status reports be filed no fewer than fifteen days prior or sanctions may be imposed. Not on file. Hearing required for court to determine sanctions.

      Appearance by counsel mandatory (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-25-000212 ESTATE OF TAMMY SUE CICCONE
      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 01/05/27 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-25-000249 MATTER OF ANTON COOLEY SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST
      Hearing on Petition for an Order to Confirm Validity of Trust; Confirm Trustee; and Confirm Assets of Trust; for Instructions Regarding Trust Terms and Determining Whom Property Shall Pass to Upon Termination of the Trust continued from 07/31/25, 12/04/25, 04/01/26:
      Nothing filed since November, 2025. Prior Notes remain:
      •    The court has not yet determined if notice is complete: Notice of Hearing, Form DE-115, on file for all those identified in the petition but the possibly interested person, a minor, “Dante” last name unknown. Declaration of Due Diligence by petitioner on file, as well as Declaration by counsel (both filed 11/26/25). Recommend court defer this finding until a Guardian ad litem has been appointed who can receive notice.
      •    On 12/04/25, the court directed petitioner to seek appointment of a Guardian ad litem for Dejon H., a minor, and Dante last name unknown, someone whose name and location is unknown but may be a minor. Not on file.
      See also Local Rule 8.14 B, CRC rules 7.51 and 7.52, PrC§1212 and CCP§413.30.
      Appearance by counsel mandatory (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-26-000014 ESTATE OF CARMEN LOYA
      Inventory Review Hearing:
      Final Inventory and Appraisal is on file.
      Recommend Account Review Hearing 04/20/27 pursuant to Local Rule 8.82.
      Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-26-000163 ESTATE OF PATRICIA LEGGETT
      2. Hearing on Petition to Determine Title to Real Property and Request for Temporary Authority continued from 04/16/26:
      Prior Notes remain:
      •    The petition was not verified. See California Rules of Court (CRC) rule 7.103.
      •    The petition does not appear to allege that venue is proper in this county (Probate Code §17005).
      •    Body of petition omitted the legal description and assessor’s parcel number for the real property.
      •    Body of petition omitted the names and mailing addresses of those entitled to notice (PrC§17201).
      •    The body of the petition does not reference each Exhibit and tie the Exhibit to the pleading.
      •    The petition also seeks “temporary authority” or “Temporary Letters of Administration”. This does not appear to be the proper format for a petition for letters of special administration. Please see PrC§8540 et seq. PrC§1310 does not appear to apply in this case, as no appeal appears to have been filed.
      •    The request that the court declare void “any other deed recorded after” decedent’s signature on a 2006 instrument appears overly broad; petitioner also seeks a court order declaring void three specific recorded instruments; if there are any other specific instruments which petitioner seeks to have declared void due to fraud, that may be sought via amendment. See CRC rules 7.3 and 7.53.
      •    Notice of Hearing not on file. Please see Judicial Council Form DE-115, adopted for mandatory use for this purpose pursuant to Probate Code § 851(c). See also Code of Civil Procedure §§ 413.10 et seq. In addition to those interested in the decedent’s estate, notice appears necessary on the notaries who acknowledged the deeds which petitioner seeks to have deemed void due to fraud, as well as the transferees/grantees of the property, including Rodney Leggett, Tina Wells, and Hiram Kemp.
      •    Please provide a copy of the 2006 deed, which the petition describes as the last recorded deed bearing the decedent’s valid signature. If that same document is not the deed by which the decedent first obtained title, please also file a copy of that recorded deed.
      •    Please provide a copy of the decedent’s death certificate.

      Objection filed – 03/18/26, by Hiram Kemp. Objector argues the title issues have been previously litigated (res judicata) and that, as decedent’s heir but not the personal representative of decedent’s estate, petitioner lacks standing to bring this action.
      Response to Objection filed – 03/24/26, by Janae Leggett. 
      Reply filed 03/27/26.

      Two Requests for Judicial Notice (RJN) filed - 03/18/26, by objector, Hiram Kemp. 
      Objection to RJN filed – 03/26/26, by petitioner, Janae Leggett.
      A Supplemental Request for Judicial Notice was filed 03/27/26, by Hiram Kemp; the supplemental request in fact appears to be a RJN of additional facts or documents.
      Submitted to court for determination.

      Submit to court’s determination: in response to this Probate Note, petitioner filed the Supplemental Declaration file-marked 05/23/26. Please file a verified supplement (see California Rules of Court rules 7.3 and 7.53) clarifying petitioner’s standing to bring an action under PrC§850 when she is not appointed as personal representative of the decedent’s estate.

      A SECOND Objection filed – 07/22/26, by Hiram Kemp. Recommend court enquire of Objector what his intention is, in filing a second Objection – is the document filed on 07/22/26 intended to be an Amended Objection?

      Recommend court set deadline for petitioner to cure defects, including the perfection of notice, or petition may be dismissed.

      1.    Hearing on Second Amended Petition (file-marked 04/07/26) for Letters of Administration continued from 04/01/26, 04/16/26:
      •    Heading of petition omitted checkmark in box “Authorization to Administer Under the Independent Administration of Estates Act”.
      •    Petitioner seeks full IAEA authority and a bond of $3,500.00; in the pleading, the petitioner alleges the estate has an estimated value of $3,500.00 in personal property and $700,000.00 in real property. Bond may not be sufficient. This will be submitted to the court for determination once the other defects are cured.
      •    Petition item 8 reflects that the decedent was survived by her spouse; her spouse’s estate would appear to be an heir pursuant to PrC§6401. Has a probate case commenced for Rodney Leggett’s estate? If so, please identify the personal representative of his estate. If not, please identify his heirs and estate plan. See California Decedent’s Estate Practice Guide and Local Rule 8.14 A.
      •    Republication is necessary pursuant to CRC 7.53(a) as an Amended Petition was filed.
      •    A new Notice of Petition to Administer Estate, Form DE-121, is necessary pursuant to CRC 7.53(a) as an Amended Petition was filed.

      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
      Recommend court set deadline for petitioner to cure defects, including the perfection of notice, or petition may be dismissed.

      Appearance by petitioner (self-represented) and objector (as to the petition regarding real property only, self-represented) required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-21-000186 ESTATE OF BONIFACIO ARSE TOBAR, AKA BONIFACIO TOBAR
      Hearing on PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration:
      Notice appears complete. 
      Recommend court allow estate to remain open and set a further Account Review Hearing 06/22/27 at which time a fourth Status Report will be due if the estate is not in a position to be closed.
      Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-23-001301 MATTER OF SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST OF BREANNE PURVIS
      Hearing on First Account Current and Report of Trustee and for Allowance of Attorney’s Fees and Trustee’s Fees:
      •    Notice of Hearing is not on file for the Department of State Hospitals. See Local Rule 8.101.1, PrC§§3604-5.
      •    Prior paid attorney’s fees and costs: Please elaborate on the discrepancy between the attorney’s fees and costs approved by the court purs. to the Order file-marked 04/24/24 ($3,593.70) and what is reflected in the Accounting ($4,672.70). The petition includes the allegation that there was an overpayment of $110.00, and adjustments made “to efiling charges and reimbursement for the bond premium”. 
      o    In the future, it is imperative that counsel is paid/reimbursed what the court ordered. If there are any discrepancies, that may be addressed in the next accounting.
      •    Current attorney’s fees and costs: Petition section 5 (page 3, line 18) requests $3,602.23 for legal fees, but the breakdown reflected in the two subsequent paragraphs totals $3,061.50. The number $3,602.23 appears to have come from attorney’s time-keeping attached as Exhibit A, which includes both the fees $3,061.50, and prior costs incurred of $540.82. The amount of $540.82 therefore appears to have been mistakenly included twice. Attorney and paralegal fees $3,061.50, prior costs $540.82, filing costs $518.92; total $4,121.24. 
      o    The prayer paragraph 4 appears to have repeated the miscalculation.
      •    Please provide a complete time-keeping for Trustee’s hours summarized in petition section 4 (page 3, line 1).
      •    Some of the distributions reflected in the accounting may reduce or eliminate the beneficiary’s eligibility for public benefits, as they could be considered unearned income. Please address. See McGee v. State Dep't of Health Care Services (2023) 91 Cal.App.5th 1161, 1174–1176.
      o    Distributions of cash or cash-equivalents directly to the Trust beneficiary (nearly twenty distributions totaling more than $6,000.00 during account period).
      o    Gifts to third parties (cash and a computer for beneficiary’s son).
      Please look into using an administrator-managed prepaid card, approved for use by the Social Security Administration, and consider ceasing the use of Venmo and Visa prepaid cards, as the latter may be unauthorized use as determined by the SSA.
      •    No interest was earned, based on the schedule of receipts totaling $0.00. Once other Notes are cured, recommend court instruct the Trustee to open an interest-yielding account and transfer some of the trust balance into the new account.
      Recommend continuance to 11/12/26 to allow time to cure defects.
      Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).  

      PR-24-000282 ESTATE OF ELIZABETH C. ESQUIVEL
      Hearing on Report on First and Final Account and Petition for Final Distribution, for Exoneration of Bond, and for Allowance of Compensation to Attorneys and Personal Representative for Ordinary Services:
      REVIEW IN PROGRESS. PLEASE CHECK BACK.
      Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-24-001313 ESTATE OF CHRISTINE CHAVEZ, AKA CHRISTINE AVALOS CHAVEZ
      Hearing on Petition for Termination of Proceedings and Discharge:
      Notice of Hearing is not on file.
      Proposed Order not yet submitted.
      Recommend continuance to 09/18/26 to allow time to perfect notice.
      Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-25-000341 ESTATE OF JACKIE FIELD
      Hearing on First and Final Account; Report of Administration; Allowance of Compensation to Attorney for Ordinary Services; Request for Reimbursement to Attorney for Costs Advanced; and Petition for Final Distribution:
      Recommend approval of Account and Petition.
      Recommend Discharge Review Hearing 02/25/27 pursuant to Local Rule 8.92.
      Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-25-000725 MATTER OF MOSS 2001 REVOCABLE TRUST
      Hearing on Motion to Compel Further Responses and Production of Documents:
      SEE TENTATIVE RULING, to be posted day prior to hearing at https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/online-services/tentative-rulings/…

      PR-26-000635 ESTATE OF IGNACIO BARAJAS
      Hearing on Spousal Property Petition:
      •    It appears the petitioner incorporated Attachment 7 into Attachment 7a. Attachment 7 ought to have been apart purs. to petition item 7 and Local Rule 8.98. As this is the only defect, Examiner does not consider it cause for a continuance, but please take care in future pleadings.
      If no one appears to object, recommend approval of petition.
      Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-26-000645 ESTATE OF ALVIN PRASAD
      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-26-000717 ESTATE OF SHERI ANN JABLONSKI, FKA SHERI ANN CABASSI
      Hearing on Petition to Determine Succession to Primary Residence:
      Defects in the Petition, Form DE-310:
      •    Item 2 missing the decedent’s name.
      •    Attachment 11 includes the assessor’s parcel number but is missing the legal description [see petition item 11(1)].
      •    Attachment 11 includes a statement that the property was decedent’s primary residence in California but did not include any facts to show that [see petition item 11(2)].
      •    Copy of grant deed showing current title was not attached or provided on separate pleading. See Local Rule 8.99.

      Defects in the file:
      •    One of the petitioners signed a Disclaimer (Probate Code section 279 et seq.). Please file a verified Supplement alleging if the disclaiming party has any children, in which case they would be the successors-in-interest of the disclaiming party, and not the other petitioner.
      •    Notice of petition not on file (PrC§13151).
      •    Notice of Hearing not on file (PrC§§13153, 1220). See Judicial Council Form DE-120.
      •    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. See Judicial Council Form DE-315.
      See California Rules of Court rules 7.3 and 7.53 regarding the types of pleadings that may be used to address these defects.

      Consider visiting the California Courts Self Help page at https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/probate/simple-transfer, downloading forms from https://www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm, and viewing the California Rules of Court at https://courts.ca.gov/forms-rules/rules-court 
      Appearance by Petitioner (self-represented) required (by VCourt if preferred).

      PR-26-000718 ESTATE OF LINDA KAY HUNTLEY
      Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration:
      Requested bond of $180,000.00 appears adequate based on estimated value of estate alleged in the petition.
      For future filings in this county, please ensure Petition item 8 properly labels the proposed personal representative (Local Rule 8.26 D).
      Defects in the file:
      •    Affidavit of publication not on file. See Local Rule 8.12.
      •    Forms DE-140 and DE-150, Proposed Order and Letters, not submitted.
      Recommend continuance to 09/15/26 to allow time to cure defects.
      Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).