November 21, 2025

The following is the tentative ruling for a case calendared before Judge John R. Mayne in Department 21:

653516 – KALANTA, WILLIAM vs. LEYVA, CHRISTINE – Defendant’s Motion to Vacate Judgment and Judgment Renewal – HEARING REQUIRED.

The Court is uncertain any motions have been properly filed, but would prefer to reach the merits of the apparent request to vacate judgment and renewal of judgment. The Court has reviewed the case law, and will, at Plaintiff’s election, proceed to a tentative ruling, hear argument, and make a final ruling; or, put the case over.

The following are the tentative rulings for cases calendared before Judge Stacy P. Speiller in Department 22:

PR-24-000390 – IN THE MATTER OF JOSE AND AMALIA SANTIAGO REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST - Interested Party Amalia Santiago's Motion for an Order Re: Reimbursement of Funeral Expenses and Unpaid Bills for Trustee Amalia Santiago - DENIED.

By way of this motion, Moving Party Amalia Santiago (“Moving Party”) seeks reimbursement of $35,602.64 for (1) funeral expenses for decedent Amalia Santiago; (2) medical expenses for decedent Amalia Santiago; and (3) funeral expenses for Jose Santiago. Moving Party states, “…Interested Party is seeking reimbursement in the Probate Estate to be reimbursed for expenses.” (10/27/25 Mot., at p. 2)

Preliminarily, the Court notes that Moving Party did not file this motion in a probate case; she filed it in a trust case. But regardless of whether this was filed into a probate or trust case, the request for reimbursement was untimely made and cannot be granted. Creditor claims against either an estate or a trust must be filed within at least one year of the decedent’s death. (See Code Civ. Proc., § 366.2.) Amalia Santiago passed away on January 28, 2023. (See 10/27/25 Mot., at p. 3.) Therefore, any claims against her estate or trust are now time-barred. (See Prob. Code §§ 9100, 19100; Code Civ. Proc., § 366.2.)

The following are the tentative rulings for cases calendared before Judge John D. Freeland in Department 23:

CV-23-002171- MILES, JACOB AARON vs. HUIZAR, RAFAEL, JR. – Defendant’s Motion for Leave to File Amended Answer to Complaint – GRANTED, and unopposed.

Defendants shall submit the proposed amended answer within 20 days.

CV-24-007835 – ZHANG, WENJUN vs. SUNRISE MHC LLC – Plaintiff’s Motion for Default Judgment as to Sunrise Village MHC LLC – DROPPED, in view of Plaintiff’s Amended Notice rescheduling this matter for December 12, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 23.

CV-25-003899 – ISAAK, LIAM vs. GRIMMWAY ENTERPRISES INC – Defendant Grimmway Enterprises Inc. DBA Grimmway Farms’ Demurrer to Plaintiff’s First Amended Complaint – OVERRULED.

The Court declines to find that the amended pleading’s omission of the strain-specific allegations justifies application of the “sham pleading” doctrine herein. Specifically, the Court finds that Plaintiff has stated a plausible explanation for the omission which prevents the Court from concluding that he is unable to state viable causes of action as a matter of law in this context. (See, e.g. Dones v. Life Ins. Co. of North America (2020) 55 Cal.App.5th 665, 674, 688-689; Larson v. UHS of Rancho Springs, Inc. (2014) 230 Cal.App.4th 336, 344; Amid v. Hawthorne Community Medical Group, Inc. (1989) 212 Cal.App.3d 1383, 1387.)

CV-25-007757 – IN RE 3437 GEER ROAD HUGHSON CA 95326 – Petitioner’s Petition Regarding Unresolved Claims and Deposit of Undistributed Surplus Proceeds of Trustee’s Sale – GRANTED.

Based upon review of the papers herein, the Court finds that Jose Luis Lopez and Letisia Lopez appear to be entitled to the surplus funds at issue herein and have submitted satisfactory evidence confirming their identities and entitlement to the subject funds. Therefore, the Clerk of the Court is ordered to remit a check in the sum of $128,967.41, plus interest if any, made payable to Finney Arnold LLP IOLTA Client Trust Account.

CV-25-008814 – GILL, MONIKA vs. MINHAS, SANDEEP SINGH – Defendant’s Motion to Quash Service of Summons – HEARING REQUIRED.

The Court is inclined to DENY the motion, as the declarations of Mr. Abarca and Mr. Hills describe valid personal service under the circumstances. (See, e.g. Trujillo v. Trujillo (1945) 71 Cal.App.2d 257, 260.)  In addition, Defendant’s photographic evidence seems to confirm service as described by Mr. Abarca. 

With regard to Defendant’s purported video evidence, the Court notes that submission of electronic evidence via flash drive is not permitted. (See Local Rule 1.14.1.)

Defendant shall file and serve his response to the complaint within 20 days.

The following are the tentative rulings for cases calendared before Judge Sonny S. Sandhu in Department 24:

CV-24-002128 – HEARD, LATRISHA vs. CENTRAL VALLEY SPECIALTY HOSPITAL INC – a) Defendant’s Motion to Compel Responses to Special Interrogatories, Set One, By Defendant Central Valley Specialty Hospital; Request for Monetary Sanctions – GRANTED, unopposed. b) Defendant’s Motion to Compel Responses to Form Interrogatories, Set One, By Defendant Central Valley Specialty Hospital; Request for Monetary Sanctions – GRANTED, unopposed.

 

a) The Court finds that Plaintiff Latrisha Heard failed to timely respond to Defendant’s properly propounded Special Interrogatories, Set One served on Plaintiff on May 13, 2025, without substantial justification.  (Code of Civ. Proc., §§2017.010, 2030.290(b)).

Accordingly, all objections to said Special Interrogatories by Plaintiff, including ones based on privilege or work product, are hereby waived. (CCP §§2030.290(a) and (b); 2031.300(a)).

Plaintiff is hereby ordered to provide verified Code compliant responses to said discovery within ten (10) days of the date of this order.

Accordingly, Defendant is awarded monetary sanctions of $295 for attorney’s fees and costs reasonably incurred in bringing this motion. (Code of Civ. Proc.§§2030.210, 2030.290(c); 2023.030(a); CA ST CIVIL RULES Rule 3.1348 (a)).

b) The Court finds that Plaintiff Latrisha Heard failed to timely respond to Defendant’s properly propounded Form Interrogatories, Set One served on Plaintiff on May 13, 2025, without substantial justification.  (Code of Civ. Proc., §§2017.010, 2030.290(b)).

 

Accordingly, all objections to said Form Interrogatories by Plaintiff, including ones based on privilege or work product are hereby waived. (CCP §§2030.290(a) and (b); 2031.300(a)).

 

Plaintiff is hereby ordered to provide verified Code compliant responses to said discovery within ten (10) days of the date of this order.

 

Accordingly, Defendant is awarded monetary sanctions of $177.50for attorney’s fees and costs reasonably incurred in bringing this motion. (Code of Civ. Proc.§§2030.210, 2030.290(c); 2023.030(a); CA ST CIVIL RULES Rule 3.1348 (a)).

CV-24-005909 – TORRES, MICHAEL vs. GROVER LANDSCAPE SERVICES INC – Plaintiff’s Motion for Preliminary Approval of Class and PAGA Action Settlement – CONTINUED, on the Court’s own motion.

Due to issues with the Court’s calendar, matter is continued to December 5, 2025, at 8:30 am in Department 24 of this Court.

CV-25-004954 – RED TARGET LLC vs. MONKHOUSE, SUSAN L – Defendant’s Demurrer and Demurrer to Complaint – CONTINUED on the Court’s own motion.

Due to issues with the Court’s calendar, this matter is continued to December 12, 2025, at 8:30 am in Department 24 of this Court.

The following the tentative rulings for cases calendared before Commissioner Jared D. Beeson in Department 19 located at the Turlock Division at 300 Starr Avenue, Turlock, CA:

***There are no Tentative Rulings in Department 19***