Family Law Tentative Rulings

The family court issues tentative ruling announcements on the court day prior to the scheduled hearing for specific types of motions. Tentative rulings are only provided on the Internet and posted in the clerk’s office lobby. Internet postings occur at 3:30 p.m. daily.

Parties are not required to give notice of intent to appear to preserve the right to a hearing. The tentative ruling will not become final until the hearing. (Stan. Cnty. Local Rules, rule 7.05.1) However, as a courtesy to the Court, and other parties or counsel with matters on calendar, notice of intended appearance or non-appearance is encouraged and may be sent by e-mail to the following address: familylaw.tentatives@stanct.org between the hours of 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. If you do not receive a confirmation e-mail from the clerk, you may call to speak directly with a Calendar Clerk at 209-530-3107.

Any party filing pleadings or documents on a tentative ruling matter within five (5) days of the hearing should provide a courtesy copy to the Courtroom Clerk and the Court’s Family Law Research Attorney by placing a copy in the drop box slot on the door of Room 223, Second Floor of the main Courthouse. Failure to do so may prevent the Court from consideration of such, may result in a continuance, and/or may be considered in the award of conduct-based fees and costs. (Stan. Cnty. Local Rules, rule 7.05.1(B).)

All parties and counsel are required to meet and confer in a good faith effort to resolve the dispute on any request, motion or hearing, with the exception of those involving domestic violence, and to exchange any documents upon which reliance will be made at the hearing. (Cal. Rules of Ct., rule 5.98; Stan. Cnty. Local Rules, rule 7.05.1(C).) Failure to do so may result in a continuance and may be considered in the award of conduct-based fees and costs, or both. If sufficient information regarding an adequate pre-hearing meet and confer effort is not provided in the moving and opposing papers, in the Court’s discretion, the matter may be placed at the end of the calendar and not called until the parties or counsel advise the Court that they have complied with their obligations and/or resolved the matters own motion, the Court orders Respondent to comply within thirty (30) days of this ruling and admonishes Respondent that the failure to do so may result in the striking of the Response and entry of Respondent’s default.

Date: June 12, 2025

The following are the tentative ruling cases calendared before Judge Alan Cassidy in Department #11:

FL-22-000696 – SARALIEV VS WINTHER

Respondent’s Request for Order re Sanctions, etc.—HEARING REQUIRED.

Because Respondent’s requests combines need-based and conduct-based requests, the Court declines to issue a tentative ruling.  That said, the Court may issue an “Indicated Ruling” at the hearing with regards to the conduct-based sanctions request.

The following are the tentative ruling cases calendared before Judge J. Richard Distaso in Department #13:

1. FL-19-0858 DE REYES v LEDESMA Respondent’s Motion for Joinder – GRANTED.

Given Reymundo Reyes status as a co-signor on the mortgage to what is alleged to be community property located at 2824 Bateman Lane, Modesto, CA 95354, the Court finds that Reymundo Reyes is a necessary party to enforce any judgment as to the disposition of said community property. ( Fam.Code, § 2021; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1250).

Accordingly, Respondent’s motion is hereby granted.

2. FL-23-1598 IRMO POWELL Respondent’s RFO to Enforce Division of Petitioner’s 401 (k) – GRANTED.

The Court hereby affirms its order of October 18, 2024, requiring the parties to agree to and co-operate in the preparation of a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO through Petitioner’s I.B.E.W. Local 684, Profit Sharing, 401(k), and to each pay half of the fee to prepare said QDRO. 

Respondent’s Request for Order is hereby granted. (Code of Civil Procedure Sections 128 (a)(5)  and187; People ex rel. Burns v. Wood, (2024) 103 Cal. App. 5th 700).

Petitioner is hereby ordered to co-operate in the preparation of said QDRO without further delay. Both sides are to meet and confer to agree on the preparer of  said QDRO and the payment of the necessary costs.

The following are the tentative ruling cases calendared before Judge Sweena Pannu in Department #14:

FL-24-001995 – SANDERS VS SANDERS

a) Petitioner’s Request for Order re Vocational Examination, etc.; b) Respondent’s Request for Order re “Pay Bill,” etc.; c) Petitioner’s Order to Show Cause, etc.

(a) – (c) –HEARING REQUIRED.

Regarding (a), pursuant to the Findings and Order After Hearing (FOAH) of April 24, 2025, this is a continued hearing for compliance review.  Counsel shall appear and advise the Court as per the FOAH.

Regarding (b), Respondent is seeking compliance with the Court’s prior order of October 3, 2024.  Accordingly, counsel shall appear and advise as to the status of compliance.

Regarding (c), Orders to Show Cause (OSC) are not eligible for tentative ruling and require a hearing.

As to all motions, counsel are directed to meet and confer prior to the hearing and advise the Court when the matter is called as to any agreements that may obviate or shorten the hearing.  (Cal. Rules of Ct., rule 5.98(a).)

The following are the tentative ruling cases calendared before Judge David I. Hood in Department #25:

THERE ARE NO TENTATIVES.