Tentative Rulings – Family Law Dept. 23
Judge Shelly J. Averill
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The following tentative rulings will become the ruling of the Court unless a party desires to be heard. If you desire to appear and present oral argument as to any motion, it will be necessary for you to contact the department’s Judicial Assistant by telephone at (707) 521-6729 by 4:00 p.m. on the day before the hearing. Any party requesting an appearance must notify all other opposing parties of their intent to appear.
IF EITHER PARTY TIMELY REQUESTS APPERANCE FOR ARGUMENT, THE MATTER WILL BE HEARD WEDNESDAY 12/17/25 AT 9:00AM.
1. 25FL00925, Marriage of Pires
The Request for Bifurcation and Entry of Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage-Status Only is GRANTED. The Petition for Dissolution was filed by Petitioner on May 5, 2025, and Petitioner met all of the jurisdictional requirements upon filing of the Petition. Respondent filed a Response on July 25, 2025. Respondent filed her Declaration Re: Service of Declaration of Disclosure (Preliminary) on September 15, 2025. Respondent requests a bifurcation of marital status be entered with the appropriate Family Code §2337 protections in place. Respondent’s declaration filed with her motion discloses that she is terminally ill, and has less than six months to live. This information was confirmed by her medical provider. It is her request that their marital status be terminated before her death. No opposition was filed to this motion. The Court grants the request for bifurcation of marital status and entry of Judgment as to Marital Status Only effective December 16, 2025, subject to all of the protections of Family Code §2337(c). Respondent shall prepare and submit the Judgment-Status Only within 5 days of the entry of this order confirming the entry of this order which is made effective as of December 16, 2025.