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 63 “Zoom” Online

To Join Department 63 “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 63:

  • 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.

Tentative Rulings

September 11,  2026 at 9:30 a.m.

  1. Conservatorship of Reiner Fritz Haessler
    26PR00531
    Appointment of Conservator

Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED to set jury trial. The Court intends to set the petition for jury trial on September 18, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63.

 

  1. Conservatorship of Jonathan Purcell
    26PR00790
    Appointment of Conservator

Tentative Ruling: APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  However, the Court will not call the case before 10:30 a.m. and no party or counsel need to be present before that time.  In the absence of a request to do otherwise, the Court will take a waiver of jury from counsel for proposed conservatee and conduct a court trial.  The Court will consider in evidence all documents filed in the case and any testimony the proposed conservatee wishes to provide at the hearing. 

 

  1. Conservatorship of Carol Beverly Overall
    26PR01015
    Appointment of Temporary Conservator

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED.  However, the Court has been advised that the proposed temporary conservatee may wish to appear. If this is the case, the petitioners should request to appear and notify the Public Defender of the request.  Appearances may be made in person or by Zoom and petitioners shall arrange for the proposed temporary conservatee’s appearance.

The petition for temporary conservatorship of the person and estate is DENIED. No exigent circumstances have been established to warrant good cause for the establishment of a temporary conservatorship.

The matter remains SET on October 23, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Department 63, for hearing on the petition for appointment of conservator.

 

  1. Conservatorship of Sandra Madsen
    SPR78020
    Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. Despite irregularities, the Ninth and Final Account is APPROVED.

The request for fees and costs for Conservator and Attorney for Conservator, including fees to close out the conservatorship estate, are approved as prayed.

The conservator is directed to pay the court investigator assessment of $600.00, within 30 days, payable to the Sonoma County Superior Court. Please include the case number and name of the conservatorship and send payment to the Probate Clerk’s office. 

Upon the filing of a Receipt and an Ex Parte Petition for Final Discharge and Order, the conservator is discharged, and bond exonerated.

The hearing set on the January 13, 2028, case management conference calendar, at 3:00 p.m. in Department 63, is DROPPED from calendar.

 

  1. Conservatorship of Leslie A. Douglas
    SPR78306
    Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The Fourth Account and Report of the Trustee of the Special Needs Trust, is APPROVED.

Trustee and Attorney fees are approved in the amounts requested.

The matter is SET on the August 3, 2028, case management conference calendar, at 3:00 p.m. in Department 63, for status of accounting. If the Fifth Account and Report has been filed at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing, no appearances shall be required.

The conservator is directed to pay the court investigator assessment of $600.00, within 30 days, payable to the Sonoma County Superior Court. Please include the case number and name of the conservatorship and send payment to the Probate Clerk’s office. 

The hearing set on the August 12, 2027, case management conference calendar, at 3:00 p.m. in Department 63, is DROPPED from calendar.

 

  1. Conservatorship of Alexander Herbert Allen
    SPR095429
    Account & Report

Tentative Ruling: NO APPEARANCES REQUIRED. The Third Account and Report of Conservator is APPROVED.

The balance of conservator fees due, after prior payment of periodic compensation, is approved as prayed.

The request to continue to receive periodic compensation of up to $250 per month is approved.

Attorney fees and reimbursement of costs advanced are approved as prayed.

Conservator’s request for confirmation of authority to continue to buy and sell securities, and the request of Conservator for authorization to hire an investment manager are CONTINUED for further hearing to October 9, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. in Dept. 63.  It is not apparent to the Court why this instruction is necessary and how, given the potential additional cost, it is beneficial to the conservatorship estate.  The petitioner is invited to file a supplement expanding on the need for and benefits of the requests.  Any supplement should be filed and served at least 10 days before the hearing.  If no supplement is filed, the Court will deny the requests without prejudice at the next hearing and no appearances will be required. 

Bond is reduced to $2 million.

The conservator is directed to pay the court investigator assessment of $600.00, within 30 days, payable to the Sonoma County Superior Court. Please include the case number and name of the conservatorship and send payment to the Probate Clerk’s office. 

The matter is SET on the August 31, 2028, case management conference calendar at 3:00 p.m. in Department 63, for status of account. If the Fourth Account and Report of Conservator is filed at least seven (7) days prior to the hearing, the matter will be dropped.

 

           

***End of Tentative Rulings***