Probate Notes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026
Department 22
8:30 a.m.

PR-23-000436 ESTATE OF RALPH ANTHONY ASTENGO
(1)    Order to Show Cause issued 09/24/25 to John T. Hranek, Esq.:
To appear and show cause for failure file Final Inventory and Appraisal as directed and for possible sanctions.

(2)    Order to Show Cause issued 09/24/25 to Deborah Lynn Ott:
To appear and show cause for failure file Final Inventory and Appraisal as directed and for possible sanctions.
• It appears that the Personal Representative’s mailing address may have changed.
      o    The court file has not been updated with a new mailing or physical address.
Recommend court direct Personal Representative to file Judicial Council Form MC-040, Notice of Change of Address or Other Contact, with the Court prior to next hearing.

(1)    Inventory Review Hearing:
On 09/24/25, the court ordered the Final Inventory and Appraisal to be filed within 60 days.  Partial No. 1 on file. Partial I&A was incomplete.
Final Inventory and Appraisal is not on file.
For failure of personal representative to comply with the court’s prior orders:
Recommend court suspend Personal Representative pursuant to PrC§8500(b).
Recommend court set a hearing on its own motion for removal of the personal representative from office (an Order to Show Cause) pursuant to PrC§§8804(b), 8502. Personal Representative and counsel will be ordered to appear and show cause why he/she should not be removed from office for neglecting to perform any act as personal representative.
Recommend court refer matter to the Public Administrator and County Counsel, pursuant to PrC§7621, for appointment of Public Administrator.

(2)    Hearing on PrC §12200 Status Report continued from 10/22/25: 
Defects not cured. Prior notes remain:
• Notice of Hearing not yet on file (see PrC§12201) including any creditors (PrC§48) and those who have filed a Request for Special Notice.
• Report does not indicate how much time is needed to close the estate.

(3)    Hearing on Petition to Transfer Property Held in the Name of Trust to Estate Probate Code Section 850;859 (file marked 08/02/24 by Deborah Lynn Ott) continued from 09/17/24, 01/08/25, 05/21/25, 09/11/25: 
On 09/11/25, the court indicated this will be the last continuance.
Defects not cured. Prior notes remain: 
• Notice of Hearing, Form DE-120, file marked 09/05/24, does not appear to comply with PrC§§851(c)(1) (description of property), PrC§§851(c)(2) (relief sought), or 851(c)(3) statement advising interested persons). Notice therefore appears defective on those who did not waive notice. See Mandatory Judicial Council Form DE-115.
• Notice of Hearing, file marked 09/05/24, appears defective: untimely pursuant to PrC§17203(b).
• The following items need to be addressed on the Petition:
      o    Exhibit B referenced in the Petition not attached. 
      o    Neither the caption nor the prayer appear to include all of the requested relief.
      o    The petitioner has not clearly described each of the “Judgment terms” that are being requested in prayer #1. 
      o    The petition does not clearly identify the property the petitioner is seeking to be confirmed to the estate.  
      o    Please provide any documentation necessary for each asset, including copy of grant deed.
• Proposed Order not submitted at the time of review.
Need status.
Appearance by personal representative and counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000795 ESTATE OF DAVID MICHAEL SINJEM
Account Review Hearing:
See Local Rule 8.82 and also Probate Code sections 12200, and 9000 through 9399. Neither Petition for Final Distribution nor PrC§12200 Status Report are on file.
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-24-000869 ESTATE OF CAROL CALVIN, AKA CAROL EVELYN CALVIN, CAROL E. WEAST
Account Review Hearing:
Review Hearing will be dropped.

Hearing on First and Final Account and Report of Administrator and Petition for its Settlement and for Allowance of Statutory Commissions and Fees and for Final Distribution continued from 11/20/25:
Prior Notes have been cured.
In future matters, please ensure the pleading title is specific as to whether compensation is sought for the Public Administrator or counsel or both.
Recommend approval of Account and Petition.
Recommend Discharge Review Hearing 07/30/26 pursuant to Local Rule 8.92.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000983 ESTATE OF KELLY RENE EVANS
Account Review Hearing:
See Local Rule 8.82. Neither Petition for Final Distribution nor PrC§12200 Status Report are on file.
Recommend court order personal representative to file a PrC§12200 Status Report (with Notice pursuant to PrC§12201) within 90 days if estate is not in a position to be closed.
Recommend continuance to 05/14/26 to allow time for filing of above pleadings. If neither pleading is on file by the next hearing date, the court may issue an order to show cause for personal representative to appear pursuant to PrC§12202.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-001373 MATTER OF THE AREVALO FAMILY TRUST
Hearing on Beneficiary’s Petition for Hearing Per Prob. Code 16061 et. seq. Regarding Failure to Notify and Undue Influence continued from 05/13/25, 9/11/25:

Nothing filed since case was opened in December 2024. Previous Notes remain:
Defects in the petition:
• The title of the petition did not clearly and completely identify the nature of relief sought in the prayer (see California Rules of Court rule 7.102).
      o    Please see Probate Code §§ 17200 et seq.
• The petition identified only one person entitled to notice (line 89 of page 3), however the preceding paragraph identified a current Trustee and multiple other trust beneficiaries (PrC§17201).
• Petition is not verified (see California Rules of Court rule 7.103, California Code of Civil Procedure sections 2015.5, 446).
      o    Document appears to have been signed by the petitioner’s spouse in the capacity of “Ast. Representative”. It’s not clear in what capacity he signed for the petitioner – is he her attorney-in-fact (did she sign a power-of-attorney)?

Defects in the file:
• Was the Trust irrevocable at any of the times it was alleged to have been amended? The petition includes several citations to PrC§16061.7, but is quiet as to whether the Trust was revocable or irrevocable when amended. Please see PrC§§15400 et seq. and a California Trust Administration Practice Guide.
• Without a copy of the original Trust and all its amendments, the court cannot verify if all necessary parties are given notice of this proceeding (purs. PrC§17203, 15804). Please file copies of the original Trust and all amendments thereto.
• Form GC-020, Notice of Hearing, not on file.  See PC§17203(a) for notice requirements in trust proceedings. 

On 09/11/25, the court admonished the petitioner that failure to cure the above defects by this hearing date would result in dismissal of the case. Accordingly, if no one appears at this hearing, this matter will be dismissed without prejudice.
No appearance required. Anyone choosing to appear at this hearing may do so either in person or remotely, by telephone, using VCourt.

PR-25-000041 ESTATE OF ANGELA VELAZQUEZ DELAGRANDE, AKA ANGELA V. DELAGRANDE
Hearing on Order to Show Cause re: Preliminary Injunction; Order for Temporary Restraining Order issued 09/09/25, reset by stipulation and order file-marked 09/24/25, continued from 12/11/25:
Hearing has been vacated and the Temporary Restraining Order dismissed.

PR-25-000170 SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST OF JAMES W. MALLEY
Account Review Hearing continued from 06/06/25:
Nothing filed since copy of executed Trust, on 02/21/25.
On 06/06/25, the court ordered Trustee to file the Second Account Current and Report of Trustee for period beginning 04/19/22 above within sixty days. Not on file.
Recommend court issue Order to Show Cause to Trustee to appear and show cause why court should not impose surcharge and/or remove Trustee for failure to present account as ordered, or impose surcharge for each day accounting is late.
Appearance by Trustee and Trustee’s counsel mandatory (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-23-000443 ESTATE OF CRAIG GERARD COKER, AKA CRAIG G. COKER
Hearing on Petition to Establish Probate Ownership of Property:
•    Recommend court require points and authorities as to utilization of PrC§850 procedure since, as petitioner states, while the decedent “may have intended for the [assets] to be disposed of pursuant to the terms of his 2004 Trust, the terms of said trust are unknown, thus making the administration of the trust impossible.” Petitioner in the petition appears to allege that the decedent was aware that all the assets were part of the Trust, had the opportunity to address the issue, and, for reasons unknown to petitioner, chose not to. What “claim” did decedent have in this instance purs. to PrC§850(a)(2)(D)? [See alternative legal remedy in PrC§§17200(c)(10), 17200(c)(13), 17206, 15407(a)(4), 15410(d).]
•    Please provide legal descriptions of all real property assets in the body of the petition.
•    Please provide documentation to support petitioner’s allegation that the Bank of America account is held in the name of the Trust. Was petitioner not able to attach redacted copies of the documents described in lines 10-14 on page 4 of the petition as an Exhibit? 
•    Please provide a verified supplement (see CRC rules 7.3 and 7.53) alleging if there are any pay-on-death beneficiaries of the financial accounts. If the court were to find that these assets belonged to decedent at the time of death and not the Trust, assets with POD beneficiaries would not be part of this estate.
•    It appears premature for the court to approve petitioner’s request as to the U.S. Bank accounts, given petitioner’s allegation that the institution has not cooperated in confirming the existence, let alone providing account numbers, of any accounts belonging to the Trust. What is petitioner’s request as to these accounts? It’s not clear in the petition.
Recommend continuance to 04/14/26, to coincide with the Inventory Review Hearing already set, to allow time to cure defects.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000884 ESTATE OF JOSEPH PLANT, AKA JOSEPH EDWARD PLANT, AKA JOSEPH E. PLANT
Hearing on PrC§12200 Status Report:  
Notice appears complete. 
Recommend court set a further Account Review Hearing 01/21/27.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000980 SAM RANDY TRUST
Hearing on Petition for Breach of Fiduciary Duty and Order to Compel Distribution (Probate Code §§ 17200; 16000; 16003:
No defects in petition. 
•    Need order.
Hearing required.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).
 

PR-25-001293 ESTATE OF PAMELA JEAN JOHNSON
Hearing on Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary:

Defects in Form DE-111, Petition:
• Item 5a(5) or (6) was omitted (existence of child of decedent that survived the decedent).
      o    The Declaration file-marked 01/12/26 cured the above note and created another defect. Petitioner has in their Declaration “unchecked” box 5a(8), which means that petitioner omitted either item 5a(7) or 5a(8) (existence of issue of a predeceased child). Items 5a(6) and 5a(8) do not exclude each other. A person might have no surviving children but still have descendants, such as a grandchild who outlives their parent.
• If predeceased beneficiary Shawn K. left any issue, those children are contingent beneficiaries of this estate. Petition item 8 did not include allegation if Shawn K. died without issue. 
Please see California Rules of Court rules 7.3 and 7.53 for the types of documents that may be filed to cure the above defects.

Defects in the file:
• Will is not self-proving per Local Rule 8.23.  Two Forms DE-131, Proof of Subscribing Witness were filed 01/13/26; a copy of the decedent’s will was not attached to either form as Attachment 1.

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-25-001296 ESTATE OF BOKSUM KO
Hearing on Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary:
•    Will is not self-proving per Local Rule 8.23.  Proof of Subscribing Witness (Form DE-131) not on file.
Recommend continuance to 02/20/26 to allow time to cure defects.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001299 ESTATE OF TRACY SCOTT FULLEN
Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration:
Notes have been cured.
Recommend approval of petition.
Recommend Inventory Review Hearing 07/15/26 pursuant to Local Rule 8.41 B.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001303 ESTATE OF CHARLES O. SLOCUMB
Hearing on Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary:
Notes have been cured.
Recommend approval of petition and admission of will to probate.
Recommend Inventory Review Hearing 07/15/26 pursuant to Local Rule 8.41 B.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-23-001083 ESTATE OF CONRAD VALOR
Account Review Hearing:
Hearing will be vacated on 01/14/26. 

FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2026
Department 24 
8:30 a.m.

2200638 ESTATE OF DARYEL JOSEPH KASINGER, AKA DARYEL J. KASINGER, DARYEL KASINGER 
Discharge Review Hearing:
Receipts on distribution not yet on file.
Receipt of deposit of funds in a blocked account for Morgan Labarbera not on file.
See Local Rule 8.92. Form DE-295, Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge and Order, not yet submitted at time of review.
Need status.
Appearance required (by VCourt if preferred

Department 22
8:30 a.m.

2201420 ESTATE OF JOHN ALLEN BARNES
Discharge Review Hearing continued from 02/27/25, 08/26/25, 11/20/25:
Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge and Order, Form DE-295, has been submitted and recommended for approval.
The Order to Show Cause and Discharge Review hearings will be vacated.
No appearances. 

388580 MATTER OF JEREMY MILLER SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST
Hearing on Petition for Order Approving Seventh Account and Report of Trustee, and for Attorney’s Fees and Costs continued from 06/24/25, 10/23/25:
On 10/23/25, the court approved the account and petition and request to increase bond by $175,000 for total bond of $505,000.00.  Bond rider is on file.
Recommend court set account review hearing 10/06/27 for receipt of Eighth Account and Report of Trustee.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

426429 MATTER OF THE JOHN M. PAYNE SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST
Hearing on Seventh Account and Report of Successor Trustee, Petition for Fees to Successor Trustee and Attorney, for Ratification of Periodic Payments to Successor Trustee and for an Increase in Bond continued from 11/12/25:
The court approved the account and petition on 11/12/25, and ordered bond increased by $20,000.00 for total bond of $178,000.00. The court continued the matter to today purs. to PrC§2320.2 to ensure that the bond rider was on file. The court will not sign the proposed order until the bond rider is on file.
Recommend court issue Order to Show Cause to Trustee to appear and show cause why court should not impose surcharge, suspend or remove Trustee from office for failure to secure adequate bond.
Appearance by Trustee and Trustee’s counsel mandatory (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-22-000455 ESTATE OF MARIE NICKSON
Hearing on Amended (file-marked 11/17/25) PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration continued from 09/09/25, 12/03/25:
Prior Note has been cured. Notice appears complete.
Recommend court allow estate to remain open and set an Account Review Hearing 11/17/26, at which time a Second PrC§12200 Status Report will be due if the estate is not in a position to be closed.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-22-001206 ESTATE OF DEBRAH BRITT
Hearing on PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration continued from 10/02/25, 11/21/25:
On 10/02/25, the court continued the matter to allow time to perfect notice.
On 11/21/25, the court ordered personal representative to perfect notice before next hearing or surcharge may be imposed.
•    Form DE-120, Notice of Hearing, not on file.
Recommend court issue Order to Show Cause to personal representative to appear to show cause why court should not impose surcharge for failure to perfect Notice pursuant to the above statute as ordered.
Examiner notes counsel filed a Declaration on 12/02/25 requesting a continuance of this hearing to allow time for expiration of Notice to Creditors.  Submitted to Judge for determination.
Appearance by administrator and administrator’s counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-23-000783 ESTATE OF LADEAN ANN BURNETT, AKA LADEAN BURNETT
Hearing on Petition for Final Distribution of Estate; First and Final Account and Report of Administrator; Petition for Reimbursement of Personal Monies; Petition for Allowance of Statutory Fees and Costs continued from 04/30/25, 07/11/25, 10/01/25, 11/07/25:
Prior Notes have been cured.
Recommend approval of Petition and Account as Supplemented.
Recommend Discharge Review Hearing 07/30/26 purs. to Local Rule 8.92.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-23-000868 ESTATE OF MARY ELIZABETH ALLEY
Hearing on First and Final Report of Administrator on Waiver of Account and Petition for Allowance of Compensation to Attorney for Ordinary Services, and for Final Distribution continued from 10/09/25, 12/02/25:
Nothing filed since last hearing. Prior notes remain:
• Report paragraph 5 (regarding Creditor’s Claims) does not appear sufficiently detailed pursuant to Local Rule 8.83 B.  There were two creditors’ claims filed. Were they paid?  A release of creditor’s claim is on file for Stanford Health Care. 
      o    Notice to remaining unpaid creditor (JP Morgan) also appears necessary.
• Paragraph 17 “statutory fees” appears to contain an error in the computation of statutory fees. Please see calculator tool available online at https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/divisions/probate/calculator-tools 
• Report reflects property on hand is cash.  This does not agree with the Final Inventory and Appraisal. Was the real property sold?  If so, gains/losses on sale were not included in the fee base calculation nor was a schedule attached.
• Itemization of costs of administration was omitted (see Local Rules 8.69, 8.83K).
• Order not yet submitted.
Recommend court issue Order to Show Cause to personal representative to appear and show cause for his failure to cure defects with the accounting. Failure to cure defects and/or failure to appear at the hearing on the Order to Show Cause may be grounds for surcharge and removal from office. See PrC§§8502 11051, 11052.
Appearance by administrator and administrator’s counsel mandatory (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001056 ESTATE OF MANUEL BUSTAMONTE
Hearing on Petition to Determine Succession to Primary Residence continued from 11/13/25:
Nothing filed since last hearing. Some defects cured. One note remains:
•    Attachment 11 attached to the supplement included the legal description and assessor’s parcel number; however, it omitted a statement of decedent’s interest (including facts that show it was the decedent’s primary residence in California), and facts regarding the nature of the characterization of the property if any petitioner’s claim to the property is based on succession purs. to PrC§§6401, 6402. See Petition item 11.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-21-001327 ESTATE OF ANECIA LEARY
Hearing on Motion for Order Determining Good Faith of Settlement:
SEE TENTATIVE RULING, to be posted day prior to hearing at https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/online-services/tentative-rulings/…

MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2026
COURT HOLIDAY

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026
Department 22
No decedent's estates or trusts on calendar

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2026
Department 23
8:30 a.m.

PR-24-000291 ESTATE OF MUSED AHMED ZOKARI, AKA MUSED A. ZOKARI
Hearing on First and Final Report of Executor on Waiver of Account and Petition for Allowance of Compensation to Attorneys for Ordinary Services, and for Final Distribution continued from 11/05/25, 12/10/25:
Pursuant to the pleading before the court and the Declaration file-marked 12/09/25 in response to the Probate Notes, it appears the personal representative had not yet decided how attorney’s fees and costs would be paid. As the fees and costs have priority over any other distribution, it appears the estate is not in a position to be closed. See PrC§§10000(a), 11420.
Prior Note: It appears that there is insufficient liquidity in the estate to pay attorney’s statutory compensation and costs. 
Need status.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

Department 22
8:30 a.m.

PR-22-000307 ESTATE OF SHIRLEY LANGLEY
Account Review Hearing continued from 09/17/25:
Prior Note remains: A Partial I&A on file; a Final I&A is not on file.
A PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration has been filed and set for hearing 01/28/26.
Hearing of 01/28/26 will be confirmed.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-22-001112 ESTATE OF LESLIE LAWRENCE NEWTON, JR.
Inventory Review Hearing continued from 09/24/25:
Final Inventory and Appraisal is on file.
Examiner notes the court’s case management system reflects a balance due of $235.00 for filing fee of the Successor Petition for Probate. ($200.00 was paid when the petition was filed instead of $435.00).  
Recommend court direct Successor Personal Representative, Leslie Lawrence Newton, Sr., to pay the court costs to the civil clerk’s office.
Recommend Account Review Hearing 07/22/26 pursuant to Local Rule 8.82.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-22-001293 ESTATE OF CYNTHIA MARIE DIAZ-DIAMOND
Hearing on Order to Show Cause issued to Administrator on 10/07/25:
To appear and show cause why court should not impose surcharge and / or remove the personal representative from office for failure to appear on 10/07/25 and failure to cure defects in the pleadings. Failure to appear on 01/21/26 may result in the issuance of a citation for contempt. See PrC§§8502 11051, 11052.
On 10/07/25, the court suspended the personal representative purs. to PrC§8500 and referred matter to the Public Administrator to seek appointment as successor. Need status.

Hearing on Final Account and Report, Waiver of Accounting and Petition for Final Distribution continued from 06/12/25, 10/07/25: 
Nothing filed since previous hearing. Prior Notes remain:

Technical defects with the pleading:
•    Verification omitted personal representative’s signature and date of her signature (See California Rule of Court 7.103, California Code of Civil Procedure sections 2015.5, 446).
•    Statement regarding family/affiliate relationship was omitted [see PrC§1064(a)(4)].
•    Statement regarding interest bearing accounts was omitted [see PrC§1064(a)(5)].
•    Statement regarding Property Tax Certificate [Probate Code 8800(d) (re: change of ownership statement)] was omitted.
•    List and description of the costs of administration was omitted (see Local Rules 8.69, 8.83K).
•    Personal representative did not include either a request for statutory compensation or a statement that she has waived compensation in this matter (see Local Rules 8.69, 8.83 J).
•    Report does not include statement that by her signature thereto, the personal representative waives an accounting of the estate.
•    Report did not include allegation regarding creditor’s claims. Please review Probate Code section 10900, California Rules of  and Local Rule 8.83 B.
•    Report omitted the characterization of decedent’s property (whether the asset was decedent’s separate property or community property).
•    Petition did not include the description of the property on hand for distribution, including the legal description and assessor’s parcel number of the real property, nor the order of specific distribution sought. See CRC 7.651, Local Rule 8.83M.
•    Report did not address the status of the allowed Creditor’s Claim from the IRS. Notice of Hearing not on file for creditor (Probate Code §§ 48, 9250, 11640, 11429; California Rule of Court 7.401).
•    Notice of Hearing not on file (PrC §§ 10830, 11000, 11601).
•    Proposed Order not yet submitted.

Material defects with the pleading:
The report includes an allegation that the estate is insolvent, however the sole asset of the estate was a piece of real property, which the personal representative alleged she had already transferred to herself (without the court’s prior authorization). Did the personal representative pay the creditor’s claim to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service? If not, the court’s recourse may be to order the personal representative to transfer the property back to the estate, order the property sold, and order the personal representative to use the sale proceeds to pay the Creditor’s Claim.

Appearance by personal representative (self-represented) mandatory; appearance by County Counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-23-000546 ESTATE OF ROBERT LEROY CARLSON, AKA ROBERT L. CARLSON, ROBERT CARLSON
Hearing on Second PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration continued from 09/17/25:
REVIEW IN PROGRESS. PLEASE CHECK BACK.

PR-23-000916 ESTATE OF MARGIE MORINE BRISBY, AKA MORINE BRISBY
Account Review Hearing continued from 10/07/25:
•    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 Third PrC§12200 Status Report (with Notice pursuant to PrC§12201) within 90 days if estate is not in a position to be closed.
Recommend continuance to 06/10/26 to allow time for filing of above pleadings. 
If neither pleading is on file by the next hearing date, the court may issue an order to show cause for personal representative to appear pursuant to PrC§12202.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-001126 ESTATE OF NORMAN E. FOX
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 05/06/26 to allow time for filing of above pleadings. 
If neither pleading is on file by the next hearing date, the court may issue an order to show cause for personal representative to appear pursuant to PrC§12202.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000302 ESTATE OF JESUS RANGEL
Hearing on Order to Show Cause issued to petitioner on 09/17/25:
• To appear and show cause why case should not be dismissed for failure to appear on 09/17/25.

Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration continued from 05/22/25, 09/17/25:
Nothing filed since May 2025. Prior Notes remain:

Defects in the Form DE-111, Petition:
• Item 1 did not include the name of the newspaper where Petitioner intends to publish notice. See Probate Code section 8121 and the court’s website here: https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/divisions/probate/newspapers 
• Item 2b did not include the name of the proposed personal representative.
• Item 2c was not completed (requesting either full or limited authority to administer this estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act).
• Petition item 8 did not include the proposed personal representative (Local Rule 8.26 D).

Defects in the file:
• Item 4 was not completed on the Waiver of Bond form; it’s unclear if the heir waived bond for the petitioner or some other proposed personal representative.
• Form DE-147 Duties and Liabilities not on file.
• Form DE-121 Notice of Petition to Administer Estate not on file. Form DE-120 Notice of Hearing may not be used for this purpose because Form DE-121 is a mandatory form. See Pr. Code sections 8100 et seq.
      o    Mailed notice must also be given to the foreign consulate of the nation of which the decedent was a citizen (Pr. Code section 8113, Local Rule 8.16).
• Affidavit of publication file-marked 05/21/25 was defective: notice omitted most of the information found in Pr. Code section 8100. Recommend court order petitioner to publish new notice that includes the information in Pr. Code section 8100 (but not the part about a will), and order that republication will not be reimbursable.
• Forms DE-140 and DE-150, Proposed Order and Letters, not submitted.
• Petitioner appears to have the least priority to serve as a personal representative than any other person or entity described in Pr. Code §§ 8461, 8465. A person with priority does not appear to have filed a competing petition. 
      o    On 05/22/25, the court ordered that petitioner was required to mail notice (Form DE-121) to the Public Administrator.

If no one appears on 01/21/26, the case will be dismissed without prejudice.

Appearance by petitioner (self-represented) mandatory (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000303 ESTATE OF MARIA DE LOS ANGELES QUEZADA MACIAS
Hearing on Order to Show Cause issued to petitioner on 09/17/25:
• To appear and show cause why case should not be dismissed for failure to appear on 09/17/25.

Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration continued from 05/22/25, 09/17/25:
Nothing filed since previous hearing. Prior Notes remain:

Defects in the Form DE-111, Petition:
• Item 1 did not include the name of the newspaper where Petitioner intends to publish notice. See Probate Code section 8121 and the court’s website here: https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/divisions/probate/newspapers 
• Item 2b did not include the name of the proposed personal representative.
• Item 2d(1), (2), or (3) were left blank (petitioner’s requests regarding bond or blocked account).

Defects in the file:
• Item 4 was not completed on the Waiver of Bond forms; it’s unclear if the heirs waived bond for the petitioner or some other proposed personal representative.
• Form DE-147 Duties and Liabilities not on file.
• Form DE-121 Notice of Petition to Administer Estate not on file. Form DE-120 Notice of Hearing may not be used for this purpose because Form DE-121 is a mandatory form. See Pr. Code sections 8100 et seq.
      o    Mailed notice must also be given to the foreign consulate of the nation of which the decedent was a citizen (Pr. Code section 8113, Local Rule 8.16).
• Affidavit of publication file-marked 05/21/25 was defective: notice omitted most of the information found in Pr. Code section 8100. Recommend court order petitioner to publish new notice that includes the information in Pr. Code section 8100 (but not the part about a will), and order that republication will not be reimbursable.
• Forms DE-140 and DE-150, Proposed Order and Letters, not submitted.

If no one appears on 01/21/26, the case will be dismissed without prejudice.

Appearance by petitioner (self-represented) mandatory (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000493 MATTER OF PRITCHARD FAMILY TRUST
Hearing on Petition 1) Financial Elder Abuse; 2) Breach of Trust and Fiduciary Duty; 3) Compel Accounting; 4) Compel Distribution; 5) Surcharge for Damages Resulting from Breach of Trust; 6) Constructive Trust; 7) Suspension and Removal of Trustee; 8) Instructions continued from 09/18/25:
Respondent was served with notice by mail; petitioner filed a Declaration of Due Diligence reflecting attempts to have respondent personally served. Does respondent’s counsel acknowledge receipt of proper notice and/or waive personal service of notice on respondent’s behalf?
Hearing required. 
Appearances required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001155 ESTATE OF THAYER LORING BECK
Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration continued from 12/11/25:
Updated Note:
• Petition item 3e was not completed (reasons why a bond would not be required, as the petitioner has requested a bond not be required).
      o    Full bond would be $420,136.00 based on estimated value of decedent’s estate alleged in the petition. 
      o    Waivers of bond are on file for the three living relatives identified in the petition. See item below, as it is not clear if there are additional intestate heirs other than these three.
Prior Notes remain:
• Petition item 8:
      o    Did not include the date of death of the decedent’s late spouse.
      o    Did not include the date of death of the decedent’s late daughter.
      o    Did not include the names, ages, and addresses of the issue who inherit through the decedent’s late daughter (decedent’s grandchildren by the daughter who predeceased the decedent).
• Need new proposed Form DE-150, Letters: item 4 on the right-hand column must include the date of city where the petitioner signed the form.
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).

444600 MATTER OF FRANK E DRULLINGER TRUST
Hearing on Second Amended Seventh Account and Report of Successor Trustee and Petition to Settle Account:
• The fiduciary was appointed as Trustee ad litem for the purpose of submitting an account to the court for the period between the prior account and the death of the former successor Trustee; she was not appointed successor Trustee nor has anyone sought appointment as successor Trustee.
• Notices of Hearing filed on 12/15/25 and 12/26/25 each gave notice of hearing on a “supplement” to this pleading rather than giving notice of the account itself. Notice is therefore defective.
      o    It’s not required by statute that the Trustee ad litem give notice to the former Trustees who either resigned or were removed by the court many years ago, and the Probate Examiner believes it may actually be inappropriate for the Trustee ad litem to have had copies of this account served on them. Recommend court instruct the Trustee ad litem and her attorney not to give any further notice of hearing or serve any future accounting on M. Campbell or L. Jamison.
• A Schedule of Property on Hand at beginning of account period was omitted.
• A Schedule of Change of Form of Assets was omitted.
      o    It appears that someone opened multiple accounts between the end of the Sixth Account (two accounts identified) and the end of the 2022 account period (eight accounts). Please include a Schedule of Change of Form of Assets.
      o    It appears that someone purchased real property without the court’s prior approval (Double Springs, AL House, per the “Balance Sheet”.
• The Schedule of Property on Hand at end of account period:
      o    Must include the carry value and the market value purs. to PrC§1063, and a more complete identification of the financial accounts (including the financial institution and the last four digits of the account number).
      o    Reflects a negative balance for “petty cash”. What does that mean? Did the account not balance?
      o    What stocks belong to the Trust?
• Schedule A “Receipts” of the Accounting:
      o    Does not include an SSI payment for the month of April 2020. Has Trustee ad litem contacted the Social Security Administration?
      o    Does not include payments of lease by the party/entity leasing the orchard ($34,238.22 received November 2018, per the Sixth Account). Please explain.
      o    Please include a brief explanation of the $600.00 receipt dated 12/31/22 with the description “To correct summary of account”.
• Schedule C “Disbursements” of the Accounting for period of 2019 through 2021:
      o    Please elaborate on the disbursements characterized as “Computer and Internet Expenses” dated 02/19/19 and 03/09/20.
      o    Please explain the disbursements to Renee Lunsford (current Trustee ad litem):
         + On 04/13/21 for a new TV. Was the TV purchased for use by the beneficiary or by Ms. Lunsford?
         + On 04/13/21, $320.42 for “personal grooming & upkeep”.
      o    Please elaborate on the legal and professional disbursement for purpose of “Trust litigation” of $14,667.53 on 02/01/21. What litigation did the former Trustee engage in?
      o    There is a disbursement to Trustee’s counsel of $5,000.00 on 09/29/21. Review of the file does not reflect that the court granted prior approval of fees for Trustee’s counsel. Please explain.
      o    Why was an appraisal of $3,500.00 necessary on 05/10/19?
      o    Former Trustee paid rent to six different businesses between May 2019 and December 2021. Did the conservator relocate the Trust beneficiary six times during that time period?
      o    It is not clear if state or federal taxes were paid in either 2021 or 2022 (which the Probate Examiner understands was before the appointment of this Trustee ad litem). Has the Trustee ad litem taken steps to file any missing tax returns?
      o    The Trust have telephone expenses from three different companies during the account period; does TAL know why? Whose telephones are paid for by the Trust?
      o    Please explain the twenty-one (21) disbursements totaling $23,395.68 in the category “Ask My Accountant”.
• Schedule C “Disbursements” of the Accounting for period of 2022:
      o    Who had access to the Trust financial accounts between the time of the former Trustee’s final illness and death (date of death 07/20/22) and the time the court appointed the Trustee ad litem (10/10/24)?
         + The death certificate of the former Trustee (filed by Trustee’s counsel attached to Declaration file-marked 02/13/25) reflects that a contributing cause to her death was Alzheimer’s disease, which indicates to the Probate Examiner that the former Trustee may have lacked capacity to conduct Trust business prior to her passing. Does the Trustee ad litem know who was handling Trust business and accessing the accounts during that time?
      o    What kind of insurance was paid to State Farm on 10/21/22?
      o    Is Trustee ad litem aware who issued a $100.00 check as a gift to a person named Alan Lunsford on 11/30/22?
      o    Is the Trustee ad litem aware of the purpose of “expense” of $176.00 dated 11/29/22 to Miranda Frye for the purpose of “Debit purchase” and who authorized the purchase?
      o    Please elaborate on the legal and professional fees for an unidentified purpose totaling $7,964.71 on 01/05/22 and 06/30/22. 
      o    Has the Trustee ad litem ensured that the beneficiary’s rent is paid up? There were only three disbursements for rent in 2022.
         + Is the beneficiary receiving professional caregiving? How was that paid for in 2022?
      o    Who was traveling in September and October of 2022? No one sought the court’s authorization to use the Trust for travel expenses, nor was there a fiduciary in office who could have arranged for travel or use of Trust accounts to pay for travel expenses.
o    $1,713.49 was spent on “furnishings” between October and December 2022 for the purpose of “remodel costs for 270 County Rd”. Who owns that property, what remodel work was done to it, who used Trust funds for the remodel, and how was the remodel of benefit to the Trust beneficiary?
• Is “Dads Fun Acct” a debit card in the beneficiary’s possession for his personal use? 
      o    How much money is transferred into “Dads Fun Acct” monthly? 
      o    Two “customer withdrawals” of $300.00 and $400.00 were made from the account prior to the passing of the former Trustee. Has Trustee ad litem locked down “Dads Fun Acct” to prevent such cash withdrawals?
Recommend continuance to 05/07/26 to allow time to cure defects.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000959 ESTATE OF GERI LYNN ROTHSTEIN, AKA GERI ROTHSTEIN
Hearing on PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration:
•    Notice of Hearing not yet on file (see PrC§12201) including creditors (PrC§48). See Creditor’s Claim file-marked 04/07/25 (Discover Bank).
Recommend court order personal representative to perfect notice pursuant to PrC§12201 before the next hearing or surcharge may be imposed. If the Petition for Final Distribution is filed prior to the next hearing, the next hearing may be vacated.
Recommend continuance to 02/20/26 to allow time for notice.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-001068 ESTATE MILDRED JANICE BRYSON-DAVIS
Hearing on Report and Waiver of Accounting of Estate Representative and Petition for Order Settling Report; Directing Final Distribution; Allowing Statutory Compensation and Granting Other Relief:
•    Statement regarding interest bearing accounts omitted [see PrC§1064(a)(5)].
•    Itemization of costs of administration was omitted (see Local Rules 8.69, 8.83K).
•    Need itemization of property on hand for distribution.  See CRC7.651, LR 8.69, 8.83M; PC§1062f.  Is there a cash value for the Capital Group account?  What is the value of distribution after compensation?
•    Beneficiary of estate is a Trust; Trustee has waived an Accounting; Written acceptance of Trust by Trustee not on file [PrC§10954(b)(4)].
•    Waiver of Accounting does not bear notary’s acknowledgement (Local Rule 8.69).
•    Need order.  Please note, language in item 5 of the prayer of the petition “other proper orders” should not be reflected on the order. 
Recommend continuance to 03/25/26 to coincide with previously set Account Review Hearing and allow time to cure defects.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000055 ESTATE OF PHILLIP JOHNSON, AKA PHILLIP MARVIN JOHNSON
Hearing on Report on Waiver of Account, Petition for Allowance of Compensation to Attorneys and Administrator for Ordinary Services, for Reimbursement of Costs Advanced and or Final Distribution:
Recommend approval of Report and Petition.
Recommend court vacate Inventory Review Hearing of 03/18/26.
Recommend Discharge Review Hearing 07/30/26 pursuant to Local Rule 8.92.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000981 MATTER OF HAROLD W. STOLL 2009 TRUST
Hearing on Objections to Fiduciary’s Account; Petition for Surcharge Damages for Breach of Fiduciary Duty; for Removal of Trustee; and for Attorney’s Fees and Costs:
No defects in the petition.
Hearing required.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001156 HECTOR R. ZELAYA REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST
Hearing on Petitioner, Juana Zelaya’s, Motion to Consolidate Actions:
SEE TENTATIVE RULING, to be posted day prior to hearing at https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/online-services/tentative-rulings/…

PR-25-001305 ESTATE OF CORENA BERNICE BOREN
Hearing on Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary:

Defects in the Petition, Form DE-111:
• Heading of petition page 1 omitted checkmark in the box “Authorization to Administer Under the Independent Administration of Estates Act”.
• Item 3f(2) did not include the date of the decedent’s will.
• Item 4 was left blank (if the decedent’s will does not preclude administration under the Independent Administration of Estates Act).
• Item 5a(1) or (2) incomplete (existence of spouse, whether alive, deceased, divorced, or never married).
• Item 5a(3) or (4) incomplete (existence of registered domestic partner).
• Item 5a(7) or (8) incomplete (existence of issue of a predeceased child).
• Item 5b incomplete (existence of stepchild or foster child who would have been adopted but for a legal barrier).
• Item 8 must include the dates of death for those who are deceased (R. Wilson).

Defects in the file:
• Form DE-147 Duties and Liabilities not on file.
• Form DE-121 Notice of Petition to Administer Estate file-marked 01/13/26:
      o    The server did not date his signature on page 2.
      o    Item 5 on page 2 was not checked. The petition reflects the petitioner is requesting the court grant her full IAEA authority (Form DE-111, item 2c).
• Has petitioner located a mailing address for heir Kristi D.? Petition (Form DE-111) item 8 reflects that the heir’s address was not known, but the Notice of Petition (Form DE-121) file-marked 01/13/26 reflects that notice was mailed to Kristi D. If she has not been located, a Declaration of Due Diligence reflecting petitioner’s efforts to locate and serve interested person Kristi D. (see petition item 8) has not been filed. See California Rule of Court 7.52 and Local Form FL009 Declaration of Due Diligence available for download on the court’s website here, under “Probate Forms”: https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/common-forms-packets
• 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-25-001306 ESTATE OF DOVIE COLLEEN SMITH, AKA DOVIE C. SMITH
Hearing on Petition to Determine Succession to Primary Residence:
If no one appears to object, recommend court find notice complete and approve the petition.
•    Need Order
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

9:30 A.M.

PR-23-001234 MICHAEL C. MUELLER TRUST
Court Trial (two-three-day estimate)
Appearances mandatory.