Questions regarding fees, forms or status of orderes should be directed to the Probate Unit of The Superior Court of California, County of Stanislaus Clerk's Office at 209-530-3100 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. -  4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday.

Probate Examiner, Nina Wendt, may be reached at 209-530-3180 or nina.wendt@stanct.org.  Due to the volume of calls received by the Probate Examiner, it may be necessary for you to leave a message. Telephone calls are returned daily at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

It is the goal of the examiner to have probate notes posted five (5) calendar days prior to the hearing. If defects are noted, they must be corrected prior to approval of the moving papers.  If you are filing documents to cure technical defects, file-marked copies must be delivered to the Probate Examiner, City Towers Courthouse, 801 Tenth Street, Sixth Floor, Modesto, CA, at least three court days prior to the hearing.  For your convenience, a Drop Box is located at the security desk on the sixth floor.  If the door is closed, please slide your documents under the door.

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. 

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020 

No probate matters scheduled. 

 

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020 

 

Department 22 

8:30 a.m.

 

444318 MATTER OF ISAAC ORTIZ SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST 

Account Review Hearing continued from 12/31/19. 

Fifth Account and Report of Trustee. 

Court file review not yet complete.  Please recheck website.

 

2200220 MATTER OF LELAND HAYNES SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST

Account Review Hearing continued from 12/31/19. 

No documents filed since prior hearing.  Prior notes remain: 

• Need Second Account and Report of Co-Trustees.

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

2200221 MATTER OF JACKSON HAYNES SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST

Account Review Hearing continued from 12/31/19. 

No documents filed since prior hearing.  Prior notes remain:

• Need Second Account and Report of Co-Trustees.

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

2200342 MATTER OF VELMA L. BRISTOW TESTAMENTARY TRUST 

Account Review Hearing continued from 12/31/10. 

No documents filed since prior hearing.  Prior notes remain: 

• Need Second Account and Report of Trustee.

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

2201273 ESTATE OF PAULINE MAE EDGAR 

Account Review Hearing continued from 12/31/19. 

Recommend confirm 03/20/20 hearing on PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration.

Appearance by counsel not required. 

 

2201425 ESTATE OF THERESA LEE GILL 

Account Review Hearing continued from 09/25/19. 

First and final Account and Report and Petition for Final Distribution recommended for approval. 

Recommend Discharge Review Hearing 09/25/20. 

Court will sign submitted order, appearance not required.

 

PR18000219 ESTATE OF DONNA M. MYERS 

Account Review Hearing continued from 08/21/19, 10/17/19 and 12/05/19: 

• Need status re removal of lien and sale of real property.
• Need Petition for Final Distribution. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

PR18000317 ESTATE OF EUGENE ELVIS LEWIS 

First and Final Account and Report and Petition for Final Distribution continued from 11/19/19 and 12/18/19: 

• Objection on file.
• Response to Objection on file. 

Long Cause Matter. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

PR18000472 ESTATE OF EDWARD ARTHUR PEARCE 

Account Review Hearing: 

• Need Petition for Final Distribution or PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration with Notice of Hearing pursuant to PrC§12201. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

PR18000860 ESTATE OF HELGA GENTRY 

Account Review Hearing: 

• Need Property Tax Certificate form completed and filed as box in caption of Inventory and Appraisal not marked. 
• Need Petition for Final Distribution or PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration with Notice of Hearing pursuant to PrC§12201. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

PR19000020 ESTATE OF THOMAS HOLLIS 

Account Review Hearing. 

First and Final Account and Report and Petition for Final Distribution recommended for approval.

Recommend Discharge Review Hearing 09/25/20.

Court will sign submitted order, appearance not required.

 

PR19000075 MATTER OF THE 2007 WRIGHT FAMILY TRUST 

Successor Trustee Casey Brown’s Petition for Instructions continued from 03/13/19, 04/17/19, 06/13/19, 08/15/19, 10/09/19 and 12/03/19. 

No documents filed since prior hearings.  Prior notes remain:

• Objection on file.
• Need status re Settlement Agreement.

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

PR19000549 ESTATE OF NAOMI MILLS 

Inventory Review Hearing. 

Final Inventory and Appraisal on file. 

Recommend confirm 03/03/20 hearing on First and Final Account and Report and Petition for Final Distribution. 

Appearance by counsel not required.

 

PR19000552 ESTATE OF DOUGLAS BERNARD PIERCE 

Inventory Review Hearing continued from 01/07/20. 

No documents filed since prior hearing.  Prior notes remain: 

• Letters issued 08/07/19.  Inventory and Appraisal due 12/07/19.
• Need Final Inventory and Appraisal. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

PR19001135 MATTER OF PARSONS FAMILY TRUST  

First Amended Petition for Order Confirming Successor Trustee and Trust Assets: 

• Need copies of deeds showing current title to real property. 
• Need Notice of Hearing pursuant to PrC851(c). 
• Need Order. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory. 

 

PR19001144 ESTATE OF AUGUSTINE AZEVEDO 

Related to Case No. PR20000052. 

Petition for Letters of Administration recommended for approval with $120,000.00 bond. 

• Competing Petition filed under Case No. PR20000052.

Possible Long Cause Matter.

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

PR19001168 MATTER OF ESMERALDA ESTRADA-SILLAS 

Petition to:  (1) Compel Attorney-In-Fact of Life Tenant to Pay Taxes and Annual Expenses; (2) Keep Property In Repair; and (3) Request for Attorney Fees continued from 01/07/20, 

Submitted to Judge for determination. 

Appearances by counsel mandatory.

 

PR19001185 MATTER OF DEBORAH ANN BENTKOWSKY 

Petition to Determine Succession to Real Property continued from 01/14/20. 

No documents filed since prior hearing.  Prior notes remain: 

• Item 2 of petition does not match caption as “Romero” is added to name.
• Item 7 of petition omitted.
• Need Property Tax Certificate form completed and filed as Inventory and Appraisal (Attachment 8) does mark box in caption. 
• Item 11 of petition marks box for personal property, yet not included in other places. 
• Item 13 omits relationship. 
• Need “Family Tree”. 
• Need copy of deed showing current title. 
• Need revised Order as item 9b does not include petitioner’s name. 
• Need proof of service to Department of Health Services. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

PR20000043 MATTER OF IONE MANCINI TESTAMENTARY TRUST 

Petition for Modification of Trust.

Submitted to Judge for determination. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

PR20000052 ESTATE OF AUGUSTINE STANLEY AZEVEDO 

Related to Case No. PR19001144. 

Petition for Letters of Administration: 

• Recommend bond in amount of $108,000.00. 
• Item 3e of petition not completed pursuant to item 2d(1) of petition. 
• Need Notice of Petition to Administer Estate. 
• Need Proof of Publication. 
• Need Order. 
• Need Letters with original signature. 
• Competing Petition filed under Case No. PR19001144. 

Possible Long Cause Matter. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020

 

Department 22 

8:30 a.m.

 

445641 ESTATE OF LORENA ESTELLE SMOKE 

Account Review Hearing continued from 05/29/19 and 12/18/20. 

No documents filed since prior hearing.  Prior notes remain: 

• Need Petition for Final Distribution. 
• Need Successor Administrator. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

2200810 ESTATE OF CONNIE V. ORTIZ 

Account Review Hearing continued from 05/09/19, 11/07/19 and 01/09/20. 

Petition for Final Distribution on Waiver of Account recommended for approval. 

Recommend Discharge Review Hearing 09/25/20. 

Court will sign submitted order, appearance not required.

 

2201311 ESTATE OF GWENDOLYN REYNOLDS 

Related Case No. PR18000845 and PR1900039. 

Petition for Preliminary Distribution to Shawn Reynolds: 

• Limited Opposition on file. 

Possible Long Cause Matter. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

2201418 ESTATE OF ANA MARIA LOPEZ 

Accounting Review Hearing continued from 02/26/20. 

First and Final Account and Report and Petition for Final Distribution continued from 02/26/20 recommended for approval.

Recommend Discharge Review Hearing 09/25/20. 

Court will sign submitted order, appearance not required.

 

2201454 ESTATE OF JOHN C. MUNOZ 

PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration: 

• Need $140.00 balance of $200.00 filing fee. 
• Need Notice of Hearing pursuant to PrC§12201. 

Recommend continuance to 03/26/20 to allow time to cure defects. 

Appearance by counsel not required.

 

2201463 ESTATE OF JOSEPH ANTHONY SANDOVAL 

Account Review Hearing continued from 01/08/20: 

• Need Petition for Final Distribution or PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration with Notice of Hearing pursuant to PrC§12201. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

PR18000207 ESTATE OF ISAAC SAMUEL GABRIEL 

Petition for Final Distribution on Waiver of Account continued from 08/29/19, 10/10/19 and 12/05/19 and 01/08/20. 

No documents filed since prior hearing.  Prior notes remain: 

• Need Order showing specific distribution to each beneficiary. 

Appearance by personal representative (pro per) mandatory.

 

PR18000439 ESTATE OF RANDY CURTIS NEWTON 

PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration continued from 01/14/20. 

No documents filed since prior hearing.  Prior notes remain: 

• Need $140.00 balance of $200.00 filing fee. 
• Need Notice of Hearing pursuant to PrC§12201 (use mandatory judicial form DE-120 revised as of January 1, 2020). 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

PR1800520 ESTATE OF MARIA CARMEN RUIZ VDA DE TELLEZ 

PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration continued from 01/14/20. 

Recommend Account Review Hearing 12/08/20 when annual petition is due. 

Appearance by counsel not required.

 

PR19000331 ESTATE OF JASON ALLEN GARNER 

Petition for Letters of Administration continued from 05/10/19, 08/30/19 and 11/15/19: 

• Item 5a(3) or (4) of petition omitted. 
• Need Notice of Petition to Administer Estate.  
• Need Proof of Publication from Ceres Courier. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

PR19000393 ESTATE OF JOHANNA C. BRICK 

Petition for Final Distribution on Waiver of Account. 

Court file review not yet complete.  Please recheck website.

 

PR19001018 MATTER OF OWEN C. ENSELLE 

Petition to Determine Succession to Real Property continued from 11/22/19 and 01/08/20. 

No documents filed since prior hearings.  Prior notes remain:

Copy of Grant Deed attached to petition shows decedent owned a 50% interest (not 100% interest). 

How is Department of Health Services Creditor’s Claim in amount of $44,600.72 being handled? 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

PR19001037 ESTATE OF DAVID DOUGLASS 

Petition for Letters of Administration continued from 11/27/19 and 01/08/20: 

• Objection on file. 

Possible Long Cause Matter. 

Appearance by counsel and objector (pro per) mandatory.

 

PR19001099 MATTER OF DAVID MICHAEL SMITH 

Spousal Property Petition continued from 12/11/19 and 01/08/20. 

No documents filed since prior hearings.  Prior notes remain: 

• Item 4c of petition omitted. 
• Item 5a(2) of petition omitted. 
• Need Attachment 7. 
• Need explanation for item 8 being marked and Attachment 8. 
• Need Order.

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

PR19001180 MATTER OF JAMES ANDERSON REVOCABLE TRUST 

Petition for Removal of Co-Trustees for Breach of Fiduciary Duties; for Court Ordered Accounting; and for Instructions to Order the Sale of Real Property continued from 01/08/20: 

• Objection on file. 

Possible Long Cause Matter.

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

PR19001227 ESTATE OF MAURINE COOK 

Petition for Letters of Administration continued from 01/15/20 recommended for approval with bond in amount of $200,000 or Waiver of Bond signed by Ricky Phillips. 

Recommend Inventory Review Hearing 08/26/20. 

Court will sign submitted order, appearance not required.

 

PR20000037 ESTATE OF ANTOINE ABI CHAHINE 

Petition for Letters of Administration continued from 01/15/20 recommended for approval. 

Recommend Inventory Review Hearing 08/26/20. 

Court will sign submitted order, appearance not required.

 

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020 

 

Department 22

8:30 a.m.

 

220875 ESTATE OF KIRBY J. HENSLEY 

Related to Case No. 402602. 

Account Review Hearing continued from 10/19/18, 02/06/19, 07/11/19 and 12/11/19. 

No documents filed since prior hearing.  Prior notes remain: 

• Need Petition for Final Distribution. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

385598 MATTER OF MISTY MAREZ SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST 

Account Review Hearing continued from 06/11/19, 09/10/19, 11/14/19 and 01/09/20. 

Fourth Account and Report of Trustee. 

Court file review not yet complete.  Please recheck website. 

 

402602 ESTATE OF LIDA G. HENSLEY 

Related to Case No. 220875. 

Account Review Hearing continued from 10/19/18, 02/06/19, 07/11/19 and 12/11/19. 

No documents filed since prior hearing.  Prior notes remain: 

• Need Petition for Final Distribution. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

2200802 ESTATE OF NORMAN M. REYNOLDS SR. 

Account Review Hearing. 

Recommend confirm 03/17/20 hearing on First and Final Account and Report and Petition for Final Distribution. 

Appearance by counsel not required.

 

2201031 ESTATE OF ELIZABETH AVILA AZEVEDO 

Account Review Hearing continued from 09/12/19, 11/13/19 and 12/11/19: 

• Need Petition for Final Distribution or PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration with Notice of Hearing pursuant to PrC§12201. 

Petition to Determine Nature and Extent of Decedent’s Community Property Interest continued from 11/13/19 and 12/11/19: 

• No subpoena to Paulo Henrique Azevedo on file as ordered 12/11/19. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

2201416 ESTATE OF SARAH IRENE ORTIZ 

First and Final Account and Report and Petition for Final Distribution. 

Recommend vacate 03/24/20 Account Review Hearing. 

Court file review not yet complete.  Please recheck website.

 

2201465 ESTATE OF JEFFREY STEVENS BROWN 

Account Review Hearing continued from 06/14/19, 09/25/19 and 01/09/20. 

No documents filed since prior hearings.  Prior notes remain:

• Need Petition for Final Distribution. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

PR19000025 ESTATE OF GLENDA DARLENE TEAGUE 

Account Review Hearing: 

• Need Petition for Final Distribution or PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration with Proof of Mailing pursuant to PrC§12201. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

PR19000536 MATTER OF MARTHA D. HICKMAN FAMILY TRUST 

Account Review Hearing continued from 09/12/19 and 11/14/19: 

• No account on file. 

Petition for Judicial Review of the Account, Acts, and Transactions of Trustee, Linda Sue Ford; Breach of Fiduciary Trust and Duties; Fraud continued from 07/26/19, 09/12/19 and 11/14/19: 

• Objection on file. 

Possible Long Cause Matter. 

Appearance by petitioners (pro per) and counsel mandatory. 

 

PR19000575 ESTATE OF CYNTHIA WIESEL 

Inventory Review Hearing continued from 01/09/20. 

No documents filed since prior hearing.  Prior notes remain: 

• Letters issued 07/09/19.  Inventory and Appraisal due 11/09/19. 
• Need Final Inventory and Appraisal. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

PR19000608 MATTER OF CHRISTINE J. TAYLOR 

Spousal Property Petition filed by attorney Anthony D. Johnston on behalf of surviving spouse of decedent continued from 08/08/19, 09/19/19 and 11/14/19. 

• Objection filed by attorney Jeff L. Bean on behalf of surviving daughter of decedent. 
• Reply to Objection on file. 

Possible Long Cause Matter. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

PR19000703 ESTATE OF DIANA I. JACKSON 

Inventory Review Hearing. 

Final Inventory and Appraisal on file. 

Recommend confirm 03/17/20 hearing on First and Final Account and Report and Petition for Final Distribution. 

Appearance by counsel not required.

 

PR19000787 ESTATE OF MARY ROSE TOMEI 

Petition for Final Distribution on Waiver of Account. 

Recommend vacate 03/13/20 Inventory Review Hearing. 

Court file review not yet complete.  Please recheck website.

 

Department 24 

8:30 a.m.

 

2200638 ESTATE OF DARYEL JOSEPH KASINGER 

PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration continued from 08/20/19, 11/19/19 and 02/06/20. 

First and Final Account and Report and Petition for Final Distribution continued from 02/06/20: 

• Need copy of closing statement for sale of real property. 
• Need schedule of disbursements put into proper format and including supporting documentation. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

PR19000546 MATTER OF SHIRLEY A. MORRISON IRREVOCABLE FAMILY TRUST

Related Case No. 445288. 

Petition to Compel Transfer of Property Belonging to Trustee continued from 11/22/19: 

• Objection on file. 

Possible Long Cause Matter. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory. 

No Motion to Appoint Successor Trustee in related Case No. 445288 filed as set forth in Minute Order dated 11/22/19.

 

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

 

Department 22 

8:30 a.m.

 

428536 MATTER OF GILES REVOCABLE TRUST 

Status Review Hearing continued from 06/27/19 

Respondent/Trustee Status Review Hearing Statement on file. 

Appearances by counsel mandatory.

 

2200773 ESTATE OF JUAN CARLOS RANCANO 

First and Final Account and Report and Petition for Final Distribution continued from 02/07/20 recommended for approval. 

Recommend Discharge Review Hearing 09/29/20. 

Court will sign submitted order, appearance not required. 

 

2201023 ESTATE OF BERNICE RAE HOGAN 

PrC§12200 Report of Final Inventory.  

Recommend further continuance to 03/27/20 to allow time to file Final Inventory and Appraisal and Petition for Final Distribution. 

Appearance by counsel not required.

 

PR18000482 ESTATE OF NICOLAS CHAIDEZ 

Account Review Hearing continued from 10/09/19, 12/04/19 and 01/15/20. 

First and Final Account and Report and Petition for Final Distribution. 

Court file review not yet complete.  Please recheck website.

 

PR19000044 ESTATE OF PATRICIA ANN FERNANDEZ 

Account Review Hearing. 

Recommend confirm 03/26/20 hearing on PrC§12200 Status Report of Administration.

Appearance by counsel not required.

 

PR19000319 ESTATE OF REVAH JUNE LEE 

Petition for Final Distribution on Waiver of Account continued from 01/10/20. 

Recommend confirm 03/13/20 hearing on Amended Petition for Final Distribution on Waiver Account. 

Appearance by counsel not required. 

 

PR19000516 ESTATE OF MATTHEW J. BRADFORD 

First and Final Account and Report and Petition for Final Distribution. 

Recommend vacate 07/01/20 Account Review Hearing. 

Court file review not yet complete.  Please recheck website.

 

PR19000714 ESTATE OF LAUREL LEE CHAPMAN

Inventory Review Hearing. 

Final Inventory and Appraisal on file.

Recommend Account Review Hearing 09/04/20. 

Appearance by counsel not required.

 

PR19000717 ESTATE OF HELEN DEBERNARDI 

Inventory Review Hearing. 

Final Inventory and Appraisal on file. 

Recommend Account Review Hearing 09/09/20. 

Appearance by counsel not required.

 

PR19001203 MATTER OF ALELE FLORES SURVIVOR’S TRUST 

Petition for Order Confirming Successor Trustee and Property as Trust Assets. 

No documents filed since prior hearing.  Prior notes remain: 

• Need Guardian ad Litem appointed on behalf of minors to sign Consents.
• Notice of Hearing defective as mailed c/o another party.  Notice to a minor must be sent directly to the minor.  A separate copy of the notice must be sent to the person or persons having legal custody of the minor, with whom the minor resides.  (CRC7.51(d)).

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

PR19001272 MATTER OF ALBERT W. VAN BUREN 

Petition for Order Authorizing Proposed Transactions Involving Real Property and Order of Support (PrC§3101). 

• Need input/recommendation of Court Appointed Counsel, Jeff L. Bean. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

PR20000011 ESTATE OF BRADLEY PAUL RINKER 

Petition for Letters of Administration: 

• Item 2 of petition omits name of petitioner. 
• Item 2b of petition omits name of petitioner. 
• Need declaration explaining need for probate. 

Recommend continuance to 03/27/20 to allow time to cure defects. 

Appearance by petitioner (pro per) not required.

 

PR200000039 MATTER OF STEPHEN D. PATTERSON TRUST 

Petition for Order Confirming Trust Asset: 

• Need copy of Pour-Over Will and confirmation of lodging with Court. 
• Need Notice of Hearing on Petition to Determine Claim to Property (mandatory form DE-115). 

Recommend continuance to 04/09/20 to allow time to cure defects. 

Appearance by petitioner (pro per) not required.

 

PR20000050 MATTER OF SHIRLY DARLENE THOMAS-LEAK 

Petition for Order Confirming Trust Asset: 

• Inventory and Appraisal not dated and signed by petitioners. 

Recommend continuance to 03/27/20 to allow time to cure defect. 

Appearance by petitioners (pro per) not required.

 

PR20000051 ESTATE OF GEORGE RAYMOND RUIZ 

Petition for Letters of Administration: 

• Need Notice of Petition to Administer Estate. 
• Need Proof of Publication. 
• Need Order. 
• Need Letters with original signature. 

Recommend continuance to 03/27/20 to allow time to cure defects. 

Appearance by counsel not required.

 

Department 24 

8:30 a.m.

 

444451 MATTER OF ELAINE LONG TRUST 

Status Review Hearing continued from 11/20/19, 12/12/19, 01/16/20, 01/24/20 and 02/07/20: 

• Re:  disbursement of surcharges and attorney’s fees, and corrected paperwork for Appeal Dismissal. 

Appearance by counsel mandatory.

 

MONDAY, MARCH2, 2020

 

Department 22 

8:30 a.m.

 

PR18000082 ESTATE OF STEPHEN F. MILES 

Settlement Conference.

Appearances mandatory.