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, APRIL 23, 2026

Department 22
8:30 a.m.

PR-21-000924 ESTATE OF CYNTHIA JOAN CULBRETH
Account Review Hearing continued from 03/12/25, 04/11/25, 08/20/25, 12/10/25:
On 12/10/25, the court directed personal representative to file a petition for final distribution within 45 days. Failure to file may result in sanctions.
Petition for Final Distribution not on file at the time of review.  See Local Rule 8.82. 
Recommend court issue Order to Show Cause to administrators and their counsel to be personally present pursuant to PrC§12202:
    o    To show condition of estate and why estate cannot be distributed and closed;
    o    So that court may order personal representative 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 co-Administrators and Administrator’s counsel required per court’s 12/10/26 order (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-22-001133 ESTATE OF KIM LUANA CHENAULT, AKA KIM L. CHENAULT, KIM CHENAULT, KIM LUANA WEBSTER, KIM L. WEBSTER
Hearing on Order to Show Cause issued 12/18/25 to personal representative:To appear and show cause why should not be surcharged and/or removed from office for failure to appear on 12/18/25, failure to file copies of receipts of distribution as directed. 
Failure to appear on 04/23/26 may result in surcharge and removal of personal representative from office.

Discharge Review Hearing continued from 12/18/25:
Nothing filed since previous hearing. Prior Notes remain:
See Local Rule 8.92 and Judicial Council Form DE-295
Receipts of distribution not on file [see Pr. Code section 11753(b)].
Consider downloading the form from https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/jcc-form/DE-295 . 

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

PR-23-000653 ESTATE OF ROSEMARY CHAVEZ
Order to Show Cause reissued 06/11/25 to former personal representative, continued from 08/14/25:
Prior Notes remain:
•    To appear and show cause why she should not be surcharged (PrC§§12204, 8500) for failure to appear, failure to present an account after being ordered to.
•    The court will consider a referral to the District Attorney’s Office.
•    Failure to appear may result in sanctions and/or surcharge.

The Minute Orders of 12/11/25 continued the Order to Show Cause to 04/23/26 and the Account Review Hearing to 05/06/26; the matters ought to have been set on the same day. Neither Minute Order was mailed to the former personal representative.

Recommend continuance of hearing on the Order to Show Cause to 05/06/26 to coincide with Account Review Hearing. [No Notice of Hearing is yet on file from former personal representative’s counsel (for either hearing date) as the court had ordered on 12/11/25.]Recommend court direct courtroom clerk to mail a copy of the Minute Order to former personal representative, former personal representative’s counsel, the Public Administrator, and County Counsel.

No appearance required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-23-000881 ESTATE OF JONATHAN FLORES
Account Review Hearing continued from 12/04/25:
A Second PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration has been filed and set for hearing 05/12/26. 
•    The report was not verified. This is the third time this issue has been included in Probate Note in this matter. On 05/15/25, the court admonished in the Minute Order that pleadings must be verified by the personal representative. Failure to verify the Status Report as required by rule of court, after that issue was noted in multiple Probate Notes and the Minute Order of 05/15/25, may result in surcharge at the time of the next hearing.
•    A proof of service is on file, which is not adequate notice. A Notice of Hearing pursuant to PrC§12201 is not yet on file. Failure to file notice of hearing as required by statute, after that issue was noted in both this Probate Note and the prior Note from 12/04/25, may result in surcharge at the time of the next hearing.
Hearing of 05/12/26 will be confirmed.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000338 WALLACE FAMILY TRUST DTD NOVEMBER 22, 2021
Hearing on Petition for Order Determining Trust’s Title to Property [Probate Code §850, 17200.1] continued from 08/13/25, 12/11/25:
Objection filed (08/13/25 – by Shirley Thomas)
On 12/11/25, the court directed counsel to file a joint or separate status report regarding meet and confer efforts 10 days prior to hearing.  Status report on file indicating settlement is in review.
Need status on jurisdiction issue.
Prior note:
•    Need new Proposed Order:
    o    Finding regarding notice was omitted [see PrC§1260].
    o    Hearing date, time and location omitted.
Hearing required.
Appearance by counsel and objector’s counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000754 GEORGE GARY VENIOT LIVING TRUST DTD DECEMBER 5, 2006
(1)    Hearing on Petition to Confirm Trust Asset, to Cancel Instrument, for Slander of Title, and for Damages (Probate Code §§850, 859, CC §3412) continued from 12/10/25:
No defects in petition.

(2)    Hearing on Verified Counter Petition to Confirm Trust Property and Demand Return of Said Property; to Compel Production of Accounting and Trust Records; for Removal of Imposter Successor Trustee; for Surcharge Damages; for Breach of Fiduciary Duty; for Double Damages; Failure to Preserve Trust Assets; for Fees and Costs (by Richard Pomares and Dana Garth): 
•    Petition refers to Exhibits 1-13. Exhibit documents were not included behind the exhibit pages.
•    Copy of Trust was not attached.
•    Notice of hearing not on file at time of review.
Appearance required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000933 MATTER OF WALCZAK FAMILY TRUST:
Hearing on First Amended Petition (file-marked 09/08/25) to Confirm Trust Asset; and for Orders 1) Compelling Production of Trust Documents; 2) Confirming Real Property as Trust Asset, and 3) Instructing Distribution to Beneficiary continued from 12/18/25:
Nothing filed since previous hearing. Prior Notes remain:
•    Body of Petition omitted the names and mailing addresses of those entitled to notice (PrC§17201).
•    Notice of Hearing was not filed on the mandatory judicial council forms. 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 for those who must be given notice.
•    Does petitioner have access to the 1st amendment to the Trust and the original Trust document? If so, please file copies as exhibits attached to a verified pleading such as a Declaration.
•    Prayer of the petition does not agree with the pleading title. The prayer did not include a request for court to compel production of documents, or instruct trustee to distribute.
•    The Second Amendment to the Trust attached to the petition reflects that the asset at issue would be distributed to the petitioner only after the death of the surviving trustee; petitioner has not alleged that the surviving trustee (William Walczak) has passed away. Please provide points and authorities to support petitioner’s request that the court order distribution of the asset now, as it would appear to be contrary to the trust’s purposes; or, in the alternative, clarify what petitioner is seeking as to “distribution” as the pleading title and petition prayer do not agree.
Please see California Rules of Court rules 7.3 and 7.53 for the types of documents that may be filed to address these notes.

On 12/18/25, the court directed petitioner to cure all the above noted defects before this hearing. Recommend court set deadline for defects to be cured or case may be dismissed.Appearance by petitioner (self-represented) required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001006 ESTATE OF JEFFREY LEE GOSHIA, AKA JEFFREY L. GOSHIA
Inventory Review Hearing: 
Final Inventory and Appraisal is on file.
Petition for Final Distribution has been filed and set for hearing 04/30/26.
Hearing of 04/30/26 will be confirmed.
Appearance not required (Anyone wishing to appear may do so in person or remotely, by telephone using VCourt).

PR-25-001113 MATTER OF JENNIFER HAYES
Hearing on Petition for Order Determining Title to Personal Property, PrC§859 Double Damages, Attorneys Fees continued from 12/09/25:
Notice deemed complete on 12/09/25.
Opposition filed – 12/03/25, by the personal representative of the decedent’s estate (Estate of Wallace Farley).
No additional objections or responses were filed by the deadline set by the court on 12/09/25 (end of business on 01/16/26). All are waived.
Recommend continuance to 07/28/26 to coincide with hearing on Petition to Determine Ownership of Real Property, to Void Wrongful Affidavit of Death of Joint Tenant in related case PR-25-000323, Estate of Wallace Farley, on the court’s own motion, for judicial economy.
Recommend court direct counsel to file joint or separate Status Reports no fewer than ten days prior (as was directed in the other matter).
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001212 ESTATE OF PATRICK HEANEY
(1)    Hearing on Petition for Probate of Lost Will and for Letters of Administration with Will Annexed (filed by Amanda Heaney, Tina Heaney) continued from 01/06/26, 02/03/26:
Objection filed – 12/30/25 (by Monica Wagner)
Petitioners do not appear to have priority of appointment, nor are Petitioners nominees of the person with priority (Probate Code sections 8461, 8465). 
On 02/03/26, the Court indicated it will dismiss this petition if all defects are not cured.

Nothing filed since last hearing. Prior notes remain:
The following defects must be addressed in the Petition (Form DE-111):
•    Item 1 did not include the name of the newspaper where Petitioner intends to publish notice. See Probate Code section 8121 and the court’s website here: https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/divisions/probate/newspapers
•    Item 2 reflects two petitioners: Amanda Heaney and Tina Heaney; however, only one of these petitioners has signed the petition.
•    Item 3a incomplete (place/address of decedent’s death).
•    Item 3e(2) was checked (bond waivers); however, waivers of bond are not attached.
•    Item 3f(3) not checked (lost will); however, case caption indicates this is a petition to probate a lost Will.
•    Item 3h incomplete (residency of proposed personal representative).
•    Item 5a(2) incomplete (no spouse).
•    Item 5a(3) or (4) incomplete (existence of registered domestic partner).
•    Item 5a(5) incomplete (existence of child). 
•    Item 5a(7) or (8) incomplete (existence of issue of a predeceased child).
•    Item 5b incomplete (existence of stepchild or foster child who would have been adopted but for a legal barrier).
•    Item 8 did not include the complete addresses for all those listed.
•    Item 8 did not identify the Trustee of the Trust. See Local Rule 8.14A and 8.26.
•    Attachment 3f(3) omitted from Petition (Declaration regarding lost will pursuant to  PrC§6124). See also PrC§8223.

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

Consider visiting the California Courts Self Help page at
https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/probate and downloading forms from https://www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm

Petitioners joint declaration (file marked 01/28/26) indicates that they are not seeking appointment as personal representatives.  Recommend the Court inquire if petitioners wish to withdraw their petition. Declaration filed 04/17/26 requesting a third party fiduciary Submitted to Judge for determination.

(2) Hearing on Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary (filed by Monica Wagner) continued from 02/03/26: 
Supplement file marked 03/24/26 changed the title to Petition for Probate of Lost Will and for Letters Testamentary:
Will is not self-proving. Proof of Subscribing Witness is on file.
No defects in petition. Notice appears complete.
•    Need new order. Proposed Order does not have the word “Lost” inserted in item 2c(2) (admission of Will), nor are the terms of the Lost Will attached to the proposed Order.
Appearance by co-petitioners (self-represented) and objector’s counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-22-000667 ESTATE OF JENNIFER LYNN DUNN
Hearing on Petition for Final Distribution of Estate on Waivers of Accounting; First and Final Report of Administrator:
• No waivers of accounting are yet on file. Pursuant to Local Rule 8.69, account waivers must be notarized.
• Notice of Hearing not on file (PrC §§ 10830, 11000, 11601).
• Report paragraph 5 (description of creditor claims and their disposition):
      o    Did not include the Claim filed by UMB Bank on 09/12/22 for $1,746.74 or the second Claim filed by Synchrony Bank on 10/03/22 for $207.05.
      o    Did not report the action the personal representative took on the claims except for the claim by ALLY Bank (see Local Rule 8.83 B).
      o    Of the three Creditor’s Claims filed in this matter which Report identified and the two Creditor’s Claims which the Report did not address (see note above), there has been neither a notice of withdrawal filed by the creditor nor a Form DE-174, Allowance or Rejection, filed in this matter by the personal representative. See California Rules of Court rule 7.401. 
         <>    Notice of Hearing appears required for above four creditors (ALLY Bank, UMB Bank, SYNCHRONY Bank, AT&T UVERSE). See Probate Code §§ 48, 9250, 11640, 11429; California Rules of Court rule 7.401.
• The will included a specific bequest of personal property (to J. Chapman Lucas). The Petition does not explain why those assets were not included in the Inventory and Appraisal. 
      o    Notice of Hearing will be required on that beneficiary.
• Neither the petition, prayer, nor the attached Exhibit A (described as “The Property on Hand Available for Distribution and the Proposed Distribution schedules”) reflect the specific amount of cash to be distributed to each residual beneficiary.
Appearance by Executor (self-represented) required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-23-000506 SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST OF STEVEN D. WILSON
Hearing on First Account and Report of Trustee; and Petition for Approval and Settlement and for Payment of Fees to Trustee and Attorney:
Recommend approval of petition and reduction of bond to $370,000.00.
•    Proposed Order:
    o    Paragraph 1 is phrased as the court’s orders instead of the court’s findings.
Recommend Account Review Hearing 08/30/28 for receipt of Second Account.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000720 ESTATE OF EARL JACKSON JR.
Hearing on PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration:
Notice appears complete. 
Recommend court set a further Account Review Hearing 08/19/26.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-001362 ESTATE OF LARRY SOTO SANCHEZ, AKA LARRY SANCHEZ
Hearing on Waiver of Accounting, Report of Executor and Petition for Final Distribution; Waiver of Compensation by Executor; for Allowance of Compensation to Attorney for Ordinary Services and for Final Distribution: 
Recommend approval of petition as supplemented.
Recommend Discharge Review Hearing 10/22/26 pursuant to Local Rule 8.92.
Recommend court vacate Account Review Hearing 09/03/26.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-26-000220 ESTATE OF JUDY E. MCKINSTRY
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-26-000222 ESTATE OF LILA JENNIE RUIZ
Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration:
Requested bond of $350,000.00 appears adequate based on estimated value of estate alleged in the petition.
Competing petition has been filed and set for hearing 06/25/26.
Recommend continuance to 06/25/26 to coincide with competing petition.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2026

Department 22
8:30 a.m.

PR-21-000981 ESTATE OF MATTHEW R. BOX
Hearing on Amended PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration continued from 01/22/26, 03/06/26:
Notice appears complete.
Recommend court allow estate to remain open and set a further Account Review Hearing 02/23/27 at which time a Fifth Status Report (with notice) will be due if the estate is not in a position to be closed.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000661 ESTATE OF ALEX ABBLEY
Hearing on Amended (file-marked 03/09/26) First and Final Account and Report of Administrator, Determine Entitlement to Distribution Including Determination of Property as Community Property, Petition for Allowance of Statutory Fees to Attorney and Reimbursement of Costs and Petition for Final Distribution continued from 11/19/25, 03/18/26:
Prior Notes appear to have been cured.
Recommend approval of the Amended Account and Petition.
Recommend Discharge Review Hearing 11/19/2026 pursuant to Local Rule 8.92.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000918 ESTATE OF JOYCE ANN CYPHERS, AKA JOYCE A. CYPHERS
Related Decedent’s Estate case PR-24-000980
Hearing on Spousal Property Petition continued from 09/25/24, 10/15/24, 02/13/25, 06/25/25, 10/23/25, 02/25/26:
Notice appears complete.
Objection filed – 09/05/24 by Cindy Largent.  At last hearing, objector waived her objection pursuant to the agreement signed by parties.
On 02/25/26, the matter was continued to allow time for stipulation to be filed. A proposed Stipulation and Order has been submitted in Odyssey eFile and is pending approval.
Appearances not required. (If anyone wishes to appear at this hearing, they may do so in person or remotely, by telephone using VCourt).

PR-25-000386 ESTATE OF JOSE RICARDO MORENO
Hearing on Third Amended Spousal Property Petition (file marked 03/13/26) continued from 05/20/25, 06/27/25, 08/01/25, 09/19/25, 11/07/25, 03/17/26:
On 01/07/26, the Court granted petitioner leave to file third amended petition.  
Prior defects cured.
If no one appears to object, recommend approval of petition as supplemented.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000773 MATTER OF NORLEEN FAMILY TRUST
Hearing on Petition for Order Directing that Assets be Transferred into Trust continued from 12/11/25, 02/27/26:
Prior Notes have been cured.
Recommend approval of petition as supplemented.
•    Prior Note remains: Please provide a new proposed Order with the correct APN as noted in the Supplement file-marked 01/07/26.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001143 MATTER OF LINWOOD GATES DOZIER AND DORIS BEAVER DOZIER 1983 TRUST
Hearing on Petition of Beneficiary to Appoint Successor Trustee; Nomination by Beneficiaries; and for Payment of Attorneys’ Fees continued from 02/24/26:
Prior Notes have been cured.
Recommend approval of petition as supplemented.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-001209 MATTER OF JULIA THURMAN REVOCABLE TRUST AND OF FERNANDES FAMILY LIVING TRUST
Hearing on Petition for Order Determining Title to and Requiring Transfer of Real Property and to Quiet Title continued from 03/03/26:
Notice of Hearing on file (Judicial Council Form DE-115). Notice of lis pendens now on file.
• Note submitted to court’s determination: Petitioners present this pleading as to two distinct interests in the same property; brought in their capacity each as the Trustee of a Trust unrelated to the other except as to their interests in the property. Please provide points and authorities to show that this dual-matter petition is permitted, rather than filing separate petitions and a Notice of Related Action. This will be submitted to the court for determination once all notes are cured. 
      o    A Memorandum of Points and Authorities has been filed. 
• Note submitted to court’s determination: The petitioners invoked quiet title procedures in the pleading. Proof of service of Civil Summons not on file. See CCP §§412.20, 413.10 et seq, PrC §1000.  
      o    A Response has been filed.
Submitted to court for determination.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-26-000083 MATTER OF NANCY C. FRANKLIN REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST
Hearing on Petition for Order Confirming Real Property to Trust continued from 03/10/26:
Prior Note has been cured.
Recommend approval of petition as supplemented.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2026
Department 22 
There are no decedent's estates or trusts on calendar

TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2026

Department 22
8:30 a.m.

PR-20-000483 MICHELLE WOOD SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST
Account Review Hearing:
Third Account Current and Report of Trustee not yet on file.
Recommend continuance to 08/18/26 to allow time for above pleading to be filed.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-21-000171 EASTON AVANTS SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST
Account Review Hearing: 
Third Account Current and Report of Trustee not yet on file.
Recommend continuance to 08/18/26 to allow time for above pleading to be filed.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-22-000193 ESTATE OF FLORENCE WALLS
Account Review Hearing: 
See Local Rule 8.82 and also Probate Code sections 12200, and 9000 through 9399. Neither Petition for Final Distribution nor Third Probate Code § 12200 Status Report are on file.
Please review your responsibilities in the Duties and Liabilities, Form DE-147, you signed and filed on 03/03/22.
Appearance by Administrator (self-represented) required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-23-000308 ESTATE OF GEORGE DOUGLAS BIXLER, SR.
Inventory Review Hearing:
Final Inventory and Appraisal is on file.
•    Current bond does not appear sufficient. Personal Representative did not file ex parte for increase of bond [PrC§8480(c), CRC 7.204].
Recommend continuance to 05/19/26 for bond review hearing to allow time to file the above pleading based on counsel’s declaration.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000685 ESTATE OF WILLIAM JAMES REEDY 
Account Review Hearing:
A PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration has been filed and set for hearing 04/29/26.
Hearing of 04/29/26 will be confirmed.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000929 ESTATE OF JOSE JUAN GUTIERREZ, AKA JOSE JUAN GUTIERREZ, SR.
Account Review Hearing:
Account Review Hearing will be dropped.

Hearing on Petition for Settlement of First and Final Account and Final Distribution, Allowance of Compensation to Administrator and Attorney, Allowance of Costs to Attorney and Cancellation of Probate Bond continued from 03/04/26:
•    An amended petition is not on file as the court directed on 03/04/26, nor is there a Declaration seeking continuance to allow additional time as the court also directed on 03/04/26.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-001232 ESTATE OF JEFFREY VAUGHN CHASE
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 09/01/26 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-25-000607 ESTATE OF AARON SCOTT BOONE
Inventory Review Hearing:
Letters were recently issued after bond was posted.
Final Inventory and Appraisal is on file.
•    A Corrected I&A appears required: Date of decedent’s death does not conform to the Order for Probate or Petition for Probate.
•    Current bond does not appear sufficient. Personal Representative did not file ex parte for increase of bond [PrC§8480(c), CRC 7.204].
Appearance by counsel required, to address bond (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000803 ESTATE OF MARY KATHLEEN WARD, AKA KATHIE WARD
Inventory Review Hearing:
Letters issued 10/30/25. Final Inventory and Appraisal due 03/02/26. Final I&A not on file.
Partial No. 1 I&A on file:
•    Inventory and Appraisal omits characterization of decedent’s property [PrC§8850(c)]. This information will be needed prior to the closing of the estate.
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.
A Status Report was filed by the personal representative’s attorney. Report was not verified by the personal representative, proof of service not attached nor filed separately, and the Report does not address the Inventory and Appraisal.
Appearance by counsel required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000985 ESTATE OF DENISE COLEEN DAVIS
Inventory Review Hearing:
Final Inventory and Appraisal on file.
Recommend court set Account Review Hearing 01/20/27 pursuant to Local Rule 8.82.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-000836 ESTATE OF KWEI-CEE CHU
Hearing on PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration:
Notice appears complete. 
Recommend court set a further Account Review Hearing 10/28/26.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-24-001214 ESTATE OF IQWAL SINGH
Hearing on Petition for Final Distribution, Waiver of Accounting, Allowance of Statutory Attorney’s Fees, and Reimbursement of Costs:
•    Satisfaction of creditor’s claim for Bank of America not on file.
Recommend continuance to 07/16/26 to coincide with previously set Account Review Hearing and allow time for filing of above pleading.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000921 ESTATE OF DONALD J. SMITH, AKA DONALD JAMES SMITH, DON 
Hearing on First and Final Report of Executor on Waiver of Accounting and Petition for its Settlement, for Allowance of Compensation to Attorneys for Ordinary Services, and for Final Distribution to Inter Vivos Trust:
•    Notice of Hearing appears incomplete. Notice not on file for beneficiaries of the Trust purs. to PrC§§1208, 15804.
•    The proposed distribution includes all the cash on hand as of the end of the report period, but the petition includes a request for authorization to pay counsel compensation and reimbursement. Will that not reduce the amount of cash on hand to be distributed by the same amount? ($164,419.00 less $25,362.66 is $139,056.34.)
Recommend continuance to 07/17/26 to allow time to cure defects.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-25-000932 ESTATE OF EMILY THERESA HARRIS SIMON
Report of Sale and Petition for Order Confirming Sale of Real Property at 6425 S. Prairie Flower Road, Turlock, CA (APN: 057-013-006-000):
•    Item 4d incomplete (deposit amount) nor was deposit amount stated elsewhere in the pleading.  See Local Rule 8.60.  Please clarify.
Hearing required.
Appearance by counsel mandatory (in-person only, CRC rule 7.452).

PR-26-000159 MATTER OF AUBREY G. AND ELIZABETH HAMLOW 1982 TRUST
Hearing on Petition for Order Confirming Trust Assets and Directing Transfer of Assets:
•    Please file a verified pleading with supporting documentation reflecting that the personal property assets were held in the name of the Settlor at the time of death (such as copies of account statements with appropriate redactions).
•    Please file a verified pleading describing the beneficiary designations for the personal property accounts; as they may be nonprobate transfers that pass outside of will and trust directly by financial institution. (See Prob. Code 5000 et seq.)
•    Please file a verified pleading with a copy of the recorded grant deed showing current title of the real property.
•    Were the specific devises from the Survivor’s Trust already executed? If not, Notice of Hearing is not on file for the following beneficiaries of the Survivor’s Trust identified in the Fourth Amendment to the Trust: Ruby Hamlow, Steven Rickey, Rochelle Savage, Susan Corbin, Scott Rickey, David Seymour.
Petitioner filed a supplement on 03/25/26 identifying two additional assets which petitioner seeks to have confirmed as trust assets. Recommend court direct the petitioner to file an Amended Petition to include that request pursuant to California Rules of Court rule 7.3, as the factual basis presented in the original petition was specific as to the three assets identified in the original petition (paragraphs 5 and 8) and not these recently-discovered assets. 
Recommend continuance to 08/13/26 to allow time to cure defects.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-26-000177 MATTER OF PATRICK HEANEY REVOCABLE TRUST
Hearing on Petition Under Probate Code §17200 Concerning Internal Affairs of Trust:
•    Notice of Hearing not on file. See PrC§17203 and Judicial Council Form DE-120.
•    The caption (title) of the pleading does not appear complete as to relief sought. Probate Code section 17200 includes many different types of actions. The caption must completely state the court relief petitioners are asking for, not only refer to the law that gives them authority to ask. See California Rules of Court rule 7.102, 7.50.
•    Verification was filed as its own separate pleading. Please take care that the verification of a pleading is attached to the pleading. 
•    The petition reflects the following defects/omissions:
    o    Does not establish that this county is the proper venue (PrC§17005).
    o    Omitted the names, ages, and mailing addresses of those entitled to notice (PrC§17201).
    o    Has someone with standing asked the Trustee for an inventory and appraisal of the Trust property purs. to PrC§15600 et seq.? When did they do that, by what method of communication did they make the request, and what was the response by the Trustee?
    o    Has someone with standing asked the Trustee for an accounting purs. to PrC§16000 et seq.? When did they do that, by what method of communication did they make the request, and what was the response by the Trustee?
    o    Petitioners allege they have “concerns” about trust administration. Please provide facts: who, what, where, and when.
    o    Petitioners allege the Trustee has transferred Trust funds to Trustee’s relatives. Please provide facts: who, what, where, and when.
    o    Prayer for relief includes request regarding proceeds of sale of real property. Please describe the real property including the street address, legal description, and assessor’s parcel number, if known. Upon what factual basis do petitioners allege the property is for sale?
    o    Both the petition and the Memorandum of Points and Authorities filed separately reflect that petitioners seek “limited court supervision” of the Trust. That request was not included in the prayer. What do petitioners mean by that request? 
See California Rules of Court rules 7.3 and 7.53 for the types of pleadings that may be filed to address these issues, and what kind of additional service and/or notice requirements are necessary.
Recommend continuance to 05/19/26, to coincide with related Trust Petition already set, to allow time to cure defects.
No appearance required on 04/28/26. Anyone choosing to appear at this hearing may do so either in person or remotely, by telephone, using VCourt.

PR-26-000228 ESTATE OF GREGORY LYNN THOMAS
Hearing on Petition for Letters of Administration:
•    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. Full bond would be $404,000.00.
•    Petition item 8 omitted the name and date of death of decedent’s predeceased spouse.
•    Petition item 8 must include the relationships of all those listed to the decedent.
•    Petition item 8 did not include the proposed personal representative (Local Rule 8.26 D).
•    Form DE-121 Notice of Petition to Administer Estate not on file.
•    Affidavit of publication not on file. See Local Rule 8.12.
Recommend continuance to 06/24/26 to allow time to cure defects.
Appearance not required (by VCourt if preferred).

PR-26-000231 ESTATE OF VERA N. MARLETT, AKA VERA NADEEN MARLETT
Hearing on Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary:
•    Petition item 8 must list all those named in Will in any capacity whether or not they are named as beneficiaries under the Will, even if they are deceased. If they died before the decedent, include their name and date of death (approximate date, if exact date is not known). If they died after the decedent, also identify the successors-in-interest of that individual, including the personal representative of that individual’s estate. See California Decedent’s Estate Practice Guide and Local Rule 8.14 A.
    o    Will named the decedent’s spouse as beneficiary.
    o    Will named Don Earl Franco and Kimberly Garrison as contingent beneficiaries of a general pecuniary devise.
•    Will is not self-proving per Local Rule 8.23. The Proof of Subscribing Witness (Form DE-131) file-marked 04/09/26 was not completed [see Probate Code sections 8220(b) and 6240]. The form is required to be completed by one of the witnesses that witnessed decedent’s signing of her will. The attorney’s certification at the bottom of Form DE-131 is not sufficient.
    o    If none of the witnesses are available, please see Pr. Code §§ 8221, 6110, regarding a verified Declaration re: supporting evidence.
•    Affidavit of publication file-marked 04/09/26 reflects the published notice:
    o    Failed to include the request to admit decedent’s will and codicils, if any, when the petition seeks admission of her will to probate. 
    o    Republication will not be reimbursable.
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).