Tuolumne — Probate Notes for March 20, 2026

Source: https://www.tuolumne.courts.ca.gov/system/files/general/pb_d5_03202026.pdf

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Commissioner Steven Streger

Department 5 March 20, 2026 8:30 am DA Case # Date Filed

1 CV66070 Stefan Karl Cathrein vs. Cheryl R Johnson-Gonzales 04/05/2024

Stefan Karl Cathrein Attorney: Stacy Tyler

Cheryl R Johnson-Gonzales Attorney: Yet Not Entered

Cheryl R Johnson-Gonzales Attorney: Yet Not Entered

Stefan Karl Cathrein

Motion Hearing - Ex Parte

RESERVED by Defendant's Attorney
Date Approved by Commissioner Streger via email 3/16/2026 Emanix

05/06/2024 Cross Complaint File Tracking 08/28/2025 High Density

Probate Notes are not tentative rulings. Parties and counsel are expected to appear for the hearings unless this note indicates that “no appearance is necessary.”
Unless a personal appearance is required, all participants may appear via Zoom without first securing Court permission using this link:
https://tuolumne-courts-ca-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1615813960?pwd=NTRMT0NwMDg5cnlYdzZ6VnBXWWFsUT09. [Meeting ID: 161 581 3960; Passcode: 123456].
All matters set for hearing in Department 5 are presumptively assigned to that department for all purposes. Parties retain the right under Cal. Const. art VI §21 to
decline consent to the Commissioner serving as a Judge Pro Tem. By participating in the first hearing, or electing not to attend after due notice thereof, parties are
deemed to have stipulated to the Commissioner serving as a Judge Pro Tem for the entire case. See CRC 2.816.

3/17/2026 10:32 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Commissioner Steven Streger

Department 5 March 20, 2026 8:30 am DA Case # Date Filed

2 PR12753 Estate of Ernest R. Benson 02/05/2026

Ernest R. Benson

Petra Benson Attorney: Brandon Meyer

Petition Hearing

Letters of Administration

02/05/2026 Petition File Tracking 03/09/2026 High Density

Probate Notes are not tentative rulings. Parties and counsel are expected to appear for the hearings unless this note indicates that “no appearance is necessary.”
Unless a personal appearance is required, all participants may appear via Zoom without first securing Court permission using this link:
https://tuolumne-courts-ca-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1615813960?pwd=NTRMT0NwMDg5cnlYdzZ6VnBXWWFsUT09. [Meeting ID: 161 581 3960; Passcode: 123456].
All matters set for hearing in Department 5 are presumptively assigned to that department for all purposes. Parties retain the right under Cal. Const. art VI §21 to
decline consent to the Commissioner serving as a Judge Pro Tem. By participating in the first hearing, or electing not to attend after due notice thereof, parties are

deemed to have stipulated to the Commissioner serving as a Judge Pro Tem for the entire case. See CRC 2.816.

No appearance is necessary.

This is the initial hearing on an intestate petition to open probate and secure Letters of Administration. The Court, having reviewed all notices, nominations and requirements filings, notes that the petition suffers from no omissions/defects and is ready for approval as is. Court intends to grant the petition, sign the order, issue the Letters, and set §§ 8800/12200 review dates.

3/17/2026 10:32 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Commissioner Steven Streger

Department 5 March 20, 2026 8:30 am DA Case # Date Filed

3 PR12534 Estate of Melanie Jean Osterholm 10/09/2024

Patricia Dalman Attorney: Tamara Polley

Melanie Jean Osterholm

Final Distribution Hearing

10/09/2024 Petition File Tracking 01/22/2025 High Density

Probate Notes are not tentative rulings. Parties and counsel are expected to appear for the hearings unless this note indicates that “no appearance is necessary.”
Unless a personal appearance is required, all participants may appear via Zoom without first securing Court permission using this link:
https://tuolumne-courts-ca-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1615813960?pwd=NTRMT0NwMDg5cnlYdzZ6VnBXWWFsUT09. [Meeting ID: 161 581 3960; Passcode: 123456].
All matters set for hearing in Department 5 are presumptively assigned to that department for all purposes. Parties retain the right under Cal. Const. art VI §21 to
decline consent to the Commissioner serving as a Judge Pro Tem. By participating in the first hearing, or electing not to attend after due notice thereof, parties are

deemed to have stipulated to the Commissioner serving as a Judge Pro Tem for the entire case. See CRC 2.816.

No appearance is necessary.

This is the initial hearing on a petition to approve the proposed estate distribution plan, including statutory remuneration and reimbursements. The Court, having reviewed all items therein, notes that the petition suffers from no omissions/defects (save for omission of the closing statement) and is ready for approval as is. Court intends to grant the petition and sign the order.

Review hearing set for 04/17/2026 is hereby vacated.

3/17/2026 10:32 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Commissioner Steven Streger

Department 5 March 20, 2026 8:30 am DA Case # Date Filed

4 PR12571 Estate of Stanley Dale Thomas 12/30/2024

William Thomas Attorney: Tamara Polley

Stanley Dale Thomas

Final Distribution Hearing - Failure to File

12/30/2024 Petition File Tracking 02/14/2025 From Court-Probate on Calendar

Probate Notes are not tentative rulings. Parties and counsel are expected to appear for the hearings unless this note indicates that “no appearance is necessary.”
Unless a personal appearance is required, all participants may appear via Zoom without first securing Court permission using this link:
https://tuolumne-courts-ca-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1615813960?pwd=NTRMT0NwMDg5cnlYdzZ6VnBXWWFsUT09. [Meeting ID: 161 581 3960; Passcode: 123456].
All matters set for hearing in Department 5 are presumptively assigned to that department for all purposes. Parties retain the right under Cal. Const. art VI §21 to
decline consent to the Commissioner serving as a Judge Pro Tem. By participating in the first hearing, or electing not to attend after due notice thereof, parties are
deemed to have stipulated to the Commissioner serving as a Judge Pro Tem for the entire case. See CRC 2.816.

This is the initial hearing on a petition to approve the proposed estate distribution plan, including statutory remuneration and reimbursements. The Court, having reviewed all items therein, notes that the petition suffers from no omissions/defects and is ready for approval as is. (A seller’s credit reduces the sale price and counts as a loss on the sale, but the amount here is negligible in terms of the statutory fee.) Court intends to grant the petition and sign the order.

Review hearing set for 04/10/2026 is hereby vacated.

3/17/2026 10:32 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Commissioner Steven Streger

Department 5 March 20, 2026 8:30 am DA Case # Date Filed

5 PR12747 In the Matter of Matilda Erickson 01/23/2026

Matilda Erickson Attorney: Yet Not Entered

Renay Ryan Attorney: Yet Not Entered

Petition Hearing - Compromise: Minor Claim

01/23/2026 Petition File Tracking 02/24/2026 High Density

Probate Notes are not tentative rulings. Parties and counsel are expected to appear for the hearings unless this note indicates that “no appearance is necessary.”
Unless a personal appearance is required, all participants may appear via Zoom without first securing Court permission using this link:
https://tuolumne-courts-ca-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1615813960?pwd=NTRMT0NwMDg5cnlYdzZ6VnBXWWFsUT09. [Meeting ID: 161 581 3960; Passcode: 123456].
All matters set for hearing in Department 5 are presumptively assigned to that department for all purposes. Parties retain the right under Cal. Const. art VI §21 to
decline consent to the Commissioner serving as a Judge Pro Tem. By participating in the first hearing, or electing not to attend after due notice thereof, parties are
deemed to have stipulated to the Commissioner serving as a Judge Pro Tem for the entire case. See CRC 2.816.

This is the initial hearing on a petition to approve a compromise and release of a personal injury claim belonging to

a 10 year-old who was involved in a rear-end automobile accident in May of 2023.

Any interested and fully competent person may apply to serve as guardian ad litem, provided that there are no actual or potential conflicts of interest. CCP §372; Chui v. Chui (2022) 75 Cal.App.5th 873, 905; Williams v. Superior Court (2007) 147 Cal.App.4th 36, 50; in accord, Zhang v. Air China Limited, WL8820871 at *2 (C.D. Cal. 2021). The petition was brought forth on behalf of the minor’s grandmother, who as not involved in the accident and shows no evidence of any conflict. While her application for appointment was filed some time ago, it was not brought to this Court’s attention until this week. The application will be approved.

A petition to compromise must include a full disclosure of all information that has any bearing on the reasonableness of the settlement reached. See CRC 7.950; in accord, Chui at 903-904; Pearson v. Superior Court (2012) 202 Cal.App.4th 1333, 1337; Espericueta v. Shewry (2008) 164 Cal.App.4th 615, 627. This is similar to the “ballpark” test for good faith settlements. The minor child had limited treatment, but the billed amounts exceeded $17,000 (mostly for the ambulance ride). The records themselves reveal virtually no injuries from the accident. Fortunately, counsel was able to secure a lien reduction to $1,500, making the $16,000 settlement amount within the ballpark of what would be reasonable. The settlement as a whole will be approved.

Finally, trial courts are obliged to scrutinize requests for fees and costs. Any request for legal fees must be supported by a declaration complying with the requirements of CRC 7.955, and informing the court of the nature of the services provided. Courts have discretion to award what is reasonable under the circumstances, and are not required to give blind allegiance to amounts set forth in any contingency fee agreements. See Probate Code §3601(a); CRC 7.955(a)(2) and (b); CRPC 1.5; in accord, Schulz v. Jeppesen Sanderson, Inc. (2018) 27 Cal.App.5th 1167, 1175-1178; Gonzalez v. Chen (2011) 197 Cal.App.4th 881, 885-886; Goldberg v. Superior Court (1994) 23 Cal.App.4th 1378, 1382; Ojeda v. Sharp Cabrillo Hospital (1992) 8 Cal.App.4th 1, 17; in accord, L.C.C. by and through Callahan v. United States, WL16579320 at *3-4 (S.D. Cal. 2022). The normal amount for a personal injury action without any real discovery or effort is a max of 25% - which is the request here. However, taking into account the terms of the representation agreement as a whole, counsel is already slated to receive $48,566.66 in fees for the other claimants (see Para 18.b.). Considering there was no litigation to speak of (see

CV67092, filed and dismissed), this Court finds that counsel have been compensated enough. A fee of $2,000 is the most this Court will justify.

3/17/2026 10:32 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Commissioner Steven Streger

Department 5 March 20, 2026 8:30 am DA Case # Date Filed

6 PR12681 The Estate of Asterio Navarro 07/29/2025

Celia Navarro Pro Per

Asterio Navarro

Letters of Administration

FURTHER

07/29/2025 Petition File Tracking 07/30/2025 High Density

Probate Notes are not tentative rulings. Parties and counsel are expected to appear for the hearings unless this note indicates that “no appearance is
necessary.” Unless a personal appearance is required, all participants may appear via Zoom without first securing Court permission using this link:
https://tuolumne-courts-ca-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1615813960?pwd=NTRMT0NwMDg5cnlYdzZ6VnBXWWFsUT09. [Meeting ID: 161 581 3960; Passcode: 123456].
All matters set for hearing in Department 5 are presumptively assigned to that department for all purposes. Parties retain the right under Cal. Const. art VI §21 to
decline consent to the Commissioner serving as a Judge Pro Tem. By participating in the first hearing, or electing not to attend after due notice thereof, parties
are deemed to have stipulated to the Commissioner serving as a Judge Pro Tem for the entire case. See CRC 2.816.

This is the continued hearing on a probate petition. Although petitioner is a self-represented individual, the number of errors and omissions with this petition make it difficult to navigate. To start, on Page 1 the petition indicates probate of a will, and a request for appointment as executor, but on Page 2 decedent is said to have died without a will, and a request is made for appointment as administrator. No will is attached. Other concerns include, but are not limited to, the following: there is no accurate proof of publication, it running in the Union Democrat in December but listing a hearing date in October; there is no proffer or waiver of bond; paragraph 8 does not describe how the others are related to decedent; there is no indication whether this is a primary or ancillary probate, and if the former why a by-pass was not considered; there in so non-resident statement; petitioner did not supply the required duties confirmation; there is no notice or proof of service accompanying the petition; and no proposed orders or letters lodged.

3/17/2026 10:32 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Commissioner Steven Streger

Department 5 March 20, 2026 10:00 am DA Case # Date Filed

7 PR11388 Conservatorship of Griffin Webb Barela 11/15/2016

Joaquin Garman Attorney: Jennifer Lothert

Deena Garman Attorney: Jennifer Lothert

Griffin Webb Barela

Review Hearing - Investigator Report - PR Code 1850

FURTHER - report filed?

11/15/2016 Petition File Tracking 02/14/2025 From Court-Probate on Calendar

Court is awaiting receipt of the investigator’s report, but intends to find by clear and convincing evidence that the limited conservatorship of the person remains warranted for the time being. The conservator has requested continuing oversight in this county even though they presently reside in Orange County. Courtis amenable to maintaining jurisdiction for one more cycle but would expect a transfer motion in the coming 12 months.

3/17/2026 10:32 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Commissioner Steven Streger

Department 5 March 20, 2026 10:00 am DA Case # Date Filed

8 PR11254 Conservatorship of Haley M. Merz 11/23/2015

Darlene Theresa Merz Pro Per

Haley Michelle Merz Attorney: Donald Martell

Review Hearing - Investigator Report - PR Code 1850

11/23/2015 Petition: Other File Tracking 11/23/2015 Petition 04/24/2024 High Density

No appearance is necessary.

Per the request of interested persons, Court intends to continue the hearing on this to 04/17/2026 at 10:00 a.m.

3/17/2026 10:32 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Commissioner Steven Streger

Department 5 March 20, 2026 10:00 am DA Case # Date Filed

9 PR10808 Guardianship of Chloe M. Brinkman and Caydence J. Brinkman 02/10/2012

Sandra L Wood Pro Per

William L Wood Pro Per

Chloe Brinkman

Caydence Jacqueline Brinkman

Richard Brinkman Attorney: Juley Salkeld

Review Hearing - Guardian Rept-Probate Code 1513.2

Chloe only - terminate age 18

10/23/2012 Termination of Guardianship File Tracking 03/06/2025 High Density Other Cases FL10907 FL10688 PR10635

No appearance is necessary.

There being no petition on file to extend the guardianship of CM beyond the ward’s 18th birthday, and the ward having now reached the age of majority, this guardianship is terminated by operation of law.

With regard to CJ, the Court, having received and the reviewed the GC-251, intends to find by a preponderance of the evidence that the guardianship remains necessary and convenient, and that the guardians continue to serve the ward’s best interests. Court will set annual review date for 07/30/2027 at 10 am to align with her age of majority as well.

3/17/2026 10:32 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Commissioner Steven Streger

Department 5 March 20, 2026 10:00 am DA Case # Date Filed

10 PR11259 Guardianship of Ericka Taylor, et al. 12/08/2015

Martha Peterson

Robert E Peterson

Ericka L Taylor

Kendra L Taylor

Kimberley Coey Pro Per

Trina Terradista

Kendra L Taylor

Review Hearing - Guardian Rept-Probate Code 1513.2

11/07/2025 Petition File Tracking 04/24/2024 High Density Other Cases PR12730

No appearance is necessary.

This hearing is an inadvertent carry-over from the previous annual rotation but with the appointment of a successor guardian that rotation has been adjusted. Instead, a review hearing will be set for May 29, 2026 at 10 am to align with the ward’s 18th birthday.

3/17/2026 10:32 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Commissioner Steven Streger

Department 5 March 20, 2026 10:00 am DA Case # Date Filed

11 PR10926 Guardianship of Ivory Rose Ashlock 04/30/2013

Linda Ladawn Ashlock Pro Per

Ivory Rose Ashlock

Jamie Huisman

Review Hearing - Guardian Rept-Probate Code 1513.2

Terminate Guardianship

04/30/2013 Petition: Other File Tracking 04/30/2013 Petition 09/11/2024 High Density Other Cases FL11924

There being no petition on file to extend the guardianship beyond the ward’s 18th birthday, and the ward having now reached the age of majority, this guardianship is terminated by operation of law.

3/17/2026 10:32 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Commissioner Steven Streger

Department 5 March 20, 2026 10:00 am DA Case # Date Filed

12 PR12196 Guardianship of James Cortez 11/22/2022

Courtney Crawford Pro Per

Ruben Cortez Pro Per

James Cortez

Review Hearing - Guardian Rept-Probate Code 1513.2

11/22/2022 Petition File Tracking 04/12/2024 High Density

No appearance is necessary.

The Court, having received and the reviewed the GC-251, intends to find by a preponderance of the evidence that the guardianship remains necessary and convenient, and that the guardians continue to serve the ward’s best interests. Court will set annual review date.

3/17/2026 10:32 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Commissioner Steven Streger

Department 5 March 20, 2026 10:00 am DA Case # Date Filed

13 PR12748 Guardianship of Jeremy Twofeather Kerr 01/23/2026

Sandra Aguilar Pro Per

Jeremy Twofeather Kerr Pro Per

Frank Aguilar Pro Per

John Aguilar Pro Per

Petition Hearing

for Appointment of Guardian
Appoint Guardian - Person

FURTHER

01/23/2026 Petition File Tracking 03/16/2026 LP Labels Needed

This is the third hearing on a petition to establish a guardianship over one child who presently resides part-time with great grandfather, and part-time with uncle/aunt who have separately sought guardianship.

The child appears to be a member of a federally-recognized tribe, triggered ICWA protections. Formal notice requirements of W&I Code §224.3 apply. See In re D.S. (2020) 46 Cal.App.5th 1041, 1052. Also, before appointing a temporary guardian of the person for an Indian child over the objection of a parent, tribe, or Indian custodian, the court must: (1) advise the parent or Indian custodian that if they cannot afford counsel, the court will appoint counsel for them under section 1912(b) of the Indian Child Welfare Act; and (2) find, in addition to facts in the petition establishing good cause for the appointment and any other showing the court may require under Probate Code section 2250(b), that the appointment is necessary to prevent imminent physical damage or harm to the child. Uncle/aunt were supposed to secure bio mom’s consent by visiting her in jail, but the court file does not include the consent.

Appoint Kelly Bentley office to represent bio parent with tribe descent. Appoint minor’s counsel to work with investigator to find options given current concerns regarding all applicants.

Bio father has been identified and the search is on.

Bio mother is presently incarcerated for up to 1 year (CRF78377), but at last hearing objected to the establishment of any guardianship. There is a DVRO in place between mother and child FL19372.

3/17/2026 10:32 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Commissioner Steven Streger

Department 5 March 20, 2026 10:00 am DA Case # Date Filed

14 PR12132 Guardianship of Paizley Hope Garcia 06/20/2022

Sandra Atwater Garcia Pro Per

Paizely Hope Garcia Attorney: Jennifer Lothert

Gaylene Larwick

Brook Allen Pro Per

North Folk Rancheria of Mono
Indians
Motion Hearing - Visitation

FURTHER
Hearing: Other

FURTHER trial setting

08/28/2025 Termination of Guardianship File Tracking 03/16/2026 Cassandra Vigardt Other Cases FL17797

No appearance is necessary.

Court intends to grant request by interested parties to continue hearing to 04/10/2026 at 10 a.m.

3/17/2026 10:32 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Commissioner Steven Streger

Department 5 March 20, 2026 1:30 pm DA Case # Date Filed

15 CV68034 Petition of APA 01/26/2026

Pro Per

OSC Hearing - Name Change

01/26/2026 Petition File Tracking 03/10/2026 High Density

Confidential proceeding.

3/17/2026 10:32 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Commissioner Steven Streger

Department 5 March 20, 2026 1:30 pm DA Case # Date Filed

16 CV68019 Petition of Chloe Gomez 01/22/2026

Jamie Carrillo Pro Per

Jason Whitmer Pro Per

Chloe Gomez Pro Per

OSC Hearing - Name Change

01/22/2026 Petition File Tracking 03/10/2026 High Density

Non-confidential proceeding; proof of publication absent.

3/17/2026 10:32 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Commissioner Steven Streger

Department 5 March 20, 2026 1:30 pm DA Case # Date Filed

17 CV68067 Petition of AC 02/04/2026

Pro Per

OSC Hearing - Name Change

02/04/2026 Petition File Tracking 03/05/2026 High Density

Confidential proceeding.

3/17/2026 10:32 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Commissioner Steven Streger

Department 5 March 20, 2026 1:30 pm DA Case # Date Filed

18 CV68082 Petition of TD 02/09/2026

Pro Per

OSC Hearing - Name Change

02/09/2026 Petition File Tracking 03/09/2026 High Density

Confidential proceeding; wrong forms filed but curable.

3/17/2026 10:32 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Commissioner Steven Streger

Department 5 March 20, 2026 1:30 pm DA Case # Date Filed

19 FL17564 Wendy Tippett Gast and Sean Gast 04/07/2022

Wendy Tippett Gast Attorney: Juley Salkeld

Sean Gast Attorney: Sally Chenault

Wendy Gast

Wendy Gast Attorney: Juley Salkeld

Sean Gast Attorney: Sally Chenault

Sean Gast Attorney: Sally Chenault

Pre-Trial Conference

Court Trial: Short Cause

Est. Duration: 4.00 Hours

04/07/2022 Petition File Tracking 04/07/2022 OSC Application 01/07/2025 High Density Other Cases FL17534

Trial or settlement conference?

3/17/2026 10:32 am