Conservatorships

If the tentative ruling does not require appearances, and is accepted, no appearance is necessary. 

Any party who wishes to be heard in response or opposition to the Court’s tentative ruling MUST NOTIFY the Court’s Judicial Assistant by telephone at (707) 521-6893 and MUST NOTIFY all other parties of the intent to appear, and whether they will appear in person or by Zoom.  Both notifications must be completed no later than 4:00 p.m. on the court (business) day immediately before the day of the hearing.

Unless notification of an appearance has been given as provided above, the tentative ruling shall become the ruling of the court the day of the hearing at the beginning of the calendar, absent an objection from an interested party per Probate Code section 1043.    

To Access the Probate Examiner Notes:

• Access the Portal
• Accept the Terms
• Choose Smart Search, insert your case number, and follow all instructions.

To Join Department 23 “Zoom” Online

• Navigate to website: https://sonomacourt-org.zoomgov.com/j/1608254529
• Enter Meeting ID: 160 825 4529
• And Password: 611386

To Join Department 23 “Zoom” By Phone:

• Call: +1 669-254-5252 US (San Jose) and enter the same meeting ID and password as listed above.

Guide for Participating in Court Proceedings via Zoom for Dept 23:

• After joining the meeting and checking in with the clerk, please mute your audio when not speaking. This helps keep background noise to a minimum.
• Be mindful of background noise when your microphone is not muted. Avoid activities that could create additional noise, such as shuffling papers.
• Position your camera properly if you choose to use a web camera. Be sure it is in a stable position and focused at eye level, if possible. Make sure everything visible in the frame is appropriate for an appearance in court.
• If a confidential session becomes necessary it is incumbent on you to ensure you are able to participate from a private location so that unauthorized people cannot overhear or see the proceedings.
• Chat is enabled for the sharing of documents among participants and the court and to allow attorneys to communicate individually with each other or their clients only. No chat messages should be sent privately to the court as it would amount to an unauthorized ex parte communication. Neither should chat messages be sent to all participants unless directed by the court.
• The recording function has been disabled. Remember, the prohibition against recording court proceedings, even remote ones, remains.
• Be patient. Check in will take more time and the experience from those who have tried this before is that proceedings are a little slower generally.

1. Conservatorship of Larry N. Bieber
   SPR71406
   Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: The Eleventh account and report is APPROVED.

The requests for attorney fees and reimbursement for costs advanced are approved in the amounts prayed.  

Bond is reduced to $1,181,878.00.

The matter is set for review on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., in Department 23 for status of accounting.  If the twelfth account and report has been filed at least 7 days before the hearing, no appearance shall be required.

2. Conservatorship of Patricia James
   SPR80580
   Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  The Court thanks conservatee’s counsel for the time spent with the conservatee to clarify her wishes and relay them to the Court and conservator.  In light of the information provided, the conservatorship shall continue at this time without change.  The Court also wishes the conservatee a belated happy birthday.

The matter is set for review on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., in Department 23 to allow court-appointed counsel an opportunity to alert the Court if her client’s position has changed regarding the current conservator.  If nothing is filed requesting to be heard on the subject at least 7 days prior to the hearing, the Court will assume the status quo remains acceptable and simply drop hearing from calendar without appearances being required.

The matter is otherwise also set for review on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., in Department 23 for status of accounting.  If the seventh account and report has been filed at least 7 days prior to the hearing, no appearance shall be required.

3. Conservatorship of Joseph A. Casteel
   SPR095175
   Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The second account and report is APPROVED.

The request for attorney fees for the conservator’s attorney is approved in the amount prayed.

Bond is reduced to $301,500.00.

The matter is set for review on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., in Department 23 for status of accounting.  If the third account and report has been filed at least 7 days prior to the hearing, no appearance shall be required.

***End of Tentative Ruling***