Tuolumne — Probate Notes for April 24, 2026

Source: https://www.tuolumne.courts.ca.gov/system/files/general/pb_d5_04242026.pdf

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Hon: Steven Streger

Department 5 April 24, 2026 8:30 am DA Case # Date Filed

1 PR11602 Conservatorship of Arnie Jardine 10/12/2018

Tuolumne County County Counsel Attorney: Sarah Carrillo

Arnie Jardine

Review Hearing

Accounting and Inventory and Appraisal

10/12/2018 Petition File Tracking 01/13/2025 From Court Legal Document 2 Other Cases PR11735

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.

Per the OAJR dtd 03/06/2026:

Since that notice, this Court has received a receipt with a letter indicating that the personal representative in the probate action has received the net balance of the conservatorship estate plus interest. Since this appears to track the 2025 “final” accounting, unless the personal representative feels otherwise, this Court will accept the receipt as proof of compliance and will proceed to close the conservatorship and discharge the public guardian’s office.

4/21/2026 10:31 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Hon: Steven Streger

Department 5 April 24, 2026 8:30 am DA Case # Date Filed

2 PR12742 Estate of Donna Proulx 01/14/2026

Tianne Proulx Attorney: Jason Pink

Donna Proulx

Letters of Administration

FURTHER

01/14/2026 Petition File Tracking 03/18/2026 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 continued hearing on a petition to issue letters of administration for an intestate estate. The petition identifies three likely intestate heirs: the petitioner, and two apparent siblings. The fact that petitioner is offering to provide a bond for a modest intestate estate to be split amongst siblings raises some question as to why the siblings did not agree to waive bond to avoid that expense. Petitioner does not have nominations from her siblings, and while she is not required to have those, the absence of a nomination or bond waiver raises the specter of conflict.

At the prior hearing, prospective opposing counsel made an appearance to express a request for additional time for the parties to work out a resolution. Petitioner to advise.

4/21/2026 10:31 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Hon: Steven Streger

Department 5 April 24, 2026 8:30 am DA Case # Date Filed

3 PR12267 Estate of James Kevin Walsh 04/17/2023

Ty Walsh Attorney: Kelsey Kern

James Kevin Walsh

Ty Walsh

Review Hearing - Report - Probate Code 12200

FURTHER

04/17/2023 Petition File Tracking 06/27/2025 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.

Awaiting 25% distribution from PR12140. Court expects to extend administration period further.

4/21/2026 10:31 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Hon: Steven Streger

Department 5 April 24, 2026 8:30 am DA Case # Date Filed

4 PR12140 Estate of John Leonard Walsh 07/05/2022

James K Walsh Attorney: Meagan Paisley

John Leonard Walsh

Caroline Walsh-Snook Attorney: Meagan Paisley

Petition Hearing - Attorney's Fees

and reimbursement of costs

08/28/2025 Accounting: Other File Tracking 02/11/2025 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 an intestacy action commenced by decedent’s brother, and carried on by the brother’s successor in interest. This estate has been impacted by three related proceedings:

PR12029: Commenced on 12/07/2021, this is the placeholder lodging of decedent’s purported will created just days before he passed – leaving his entire estate to his non-relative live-in caregiver named Christi.

CV65497: Commenced on 08/11/2023, this is the civil action filed by Christi seeking ownership of certain assets inventoried in decedent’s intestate estate. A trial setting conference is scheduled for 05/20/2026.

CVL65554: Commenced 09/01/2023, this is the unlawful detainer action filed by John’s estate to remove Christi, and thereafter several of her friends, from the subject residence. That action is complete.

On 11/14/2025, this Court denied a request for interim legal fees from John’s estate due to the uncertainty as to whether Christi would prevail in the civil action, but did grant Caroline’s request to be reimbursed her own expenses from the estate while preserving Christi’s right to seek reimbursement.

If the parties are unable to find a resolution, there is a very potential for a cataclysmic impact on this, and the other probate action, should Christi prevail even a small portion in her civil action. The parties are strongly encouraged to work this out, as this Court has stressed in times past.

4/21/2026 10:31 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Hon: Steven Streger

Department 5 April 24, 2026 8:30 am DA Case # Date Filed

5 PR12436 Estate of Joyce Bratcher 03/21/2024

Kristi Allen Pro Per

Joyce Bratcher

Review Hearing - Report - Probate Code 12200

FURTHER
Final Discharge Hearing

03/23/2026 Petition File Tracking 02/11/2025 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 a §12251 petition that was continued due to inadequate notice to the beneficiaries. The new POS shows service to the brother at an address associated with the Tuolumne County Senior Center next to the library. Separately, the §12251 declaration addresses the real property, but the DE-160 included thousands of dollars of personal property that petitioner failed to mention.

4/21/2026 10:31 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Hon: Steven Streger

Department 5 April 24, 2026 8:30 am DA Case # Date Filed

6 FL19157 Veronica Garza vs. Jeremiah Graff 08/11/2025

Veronica Garza Pro Per

Jeremiah Graff Attorney: Juley Salkeld

Klayton Graff Attorney: Christine Parraz

Dalton Graff Attorney: Christine Parraz

Maddox Graff Attorney: Christine Parraz

Review Hearing - Visitation

Special Set - Visitation / Review in Chambers

08/11/2025 Petition File Tracking 08/14/2025 High Density Other Cases FL19150

Review hearing with parents re: chambers interviews

4/21/2026 10:31 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Hon: Steven Streger

Department 5 April 24, 2026 8:30 am DA Case # Date Filed

7 PR12756 Maria J Armstrong Revocable Trust 02/13/2026

Sarah J Buurkarl Attorney: Carrie McKernan

Tracy Valett

Petition Hearing

FURTHER - claim of property

02/13/2026 Petition File Tracking 03/18/2026 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.

Related to CV67764, CRM74167 and CRM74526 (120 days starting Apr 5).

This is the continued hearing on an elder abuse and trust property claw back petition commenced by the settlor’s adult children against the settlor’s alleged “boyfriend” who reportedly secured title to assets earmarked for the settlor’s inter vivos trust. There is no proof of service upon said boyfriend.

The main asset (there are two others) appears to be settlor’s primary residence, which she acquired with her boyfriend in joint tenancy in November of 2018. A joint tenancy with right of survivorship “is an estate designed primarily to allow two or more persons who jointly own property to avoid probate upon the death of one of the joint tenants.” Walters v. Boosinger (2016) 2 Cal.App.5th 421, 434. It is, by definition, an interest held by two or more persons “in equal shares.” Civil Code §683(a). Three months later, the settlor created her inter vivos trust, and listed her interest in the property as a trust asset. However, it was not until January of 2026 that the settlor recorded a deed transferring her interest into the trust, potentially severely the joint tenancy. See Civil Code §683.2; Raney v. Cerkueira (2019) 36 Cal.App.5th 311, 320. {At the first hearing, counsel advised that the severance was perfected.}

Critically, joint tenants co-own the property for purposes of access and control, but each tenant has a separate financial existence from the others. See In re Brace (2020) 9 Cal.5th 903, 916; in accord, Dieden v. Schmidt (2002)

104 Cal.App.4th 645, 653; Grothe v. Cortlandt Corp. (1992) 11 Cal.App.4th 1313, 1319. When a joint tenancy is severed, the presumption that each party has a 50% interest may be challenged via “allowance, accounting, contribution, or other compensatory adjustment among the parties according to the principles of equity.” CCP §872.140. Any party wishing to rebut the presumption of equal ownership with evidence of disproportionate contributions may file a petition for that purpose. From there, “the court may order an equitable compensatory adjustment to compensate the tenant for her use of separate funds for the down payment on the residence and if the appropriate motion is made and granted the partition action may be consolidated with the present dissolution action.” Marriage of Leversee (1984) 156 Cal.App.3d 891, 897; in accord, Marriage of Rico (1992) 10 Cal.App.4th 706, 710. Sometimes that higher “contribution” is in the form of greater overall capital investment, and sometimes from sweat equity. See, e.g., Marriage of Brandes (2015) 239 Cal.App.4th 1461, 1472-1474; Marriage of Decker (1993) 17 Cal.App.4th 842, 850-852. It is up to the tenant seeking an allocation in excess of a presumed pro rata share to make such a claim. Until the settlor effectively severs the joint tenancy, her boyfriend retains his right of survivorship.

Since that hearing, petitioner filed an amended petition. While no law (CCP §472, Prob. Code §1021, CRC 7.104) requires highlighting of the amendments made, it is customary to do so to allow the court to track changes. Although that was not done, petitioner appears to have added averments regarding the eviction of unnamed occupants (see Para 19) – which of course would require a separate UD action – and averments regarding a POA (see Para 8).

4/21/2026 10:31 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Hon: Steven Streger

Department 5 April 24, 2026 10:00 am DA Case # Date Filed

8 FL12701 Krystal Anderson and Dominick Anderson 04/07/2014

Dominick Anderson Pro Per

Krystal Anderson Pro Per

Victoria Anderson Attorney: Christine Parraz

Dominick Anderson Pro Per

Krystal Anderson

Motion Hearing - Child Custody/Visitation

Trailing PR12690

05/23/2023 OSC Application File Tracking 12/22/2025 High Density Other Cases CRM45312 FL14643 PR12690

Still trailing #16 …

4/21/2026 10:31 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Hon: Steven Streger

Department 5 April 24, 2026 10:00 am DA Case # Date Filed

9 PR9661 Conservatorship of Audrey Heard 07/09/2004

Tuolumne County Public Guardian Attorney: County Counsel

Audrey Heard

Accounting Hearing

11th

04/10/2024 Accounting: Other File Tracking 05/14/2024 High Density Other Cases PR9682 PR10150

Counsel’s proposed accounting is approved in all respects save and except for the proposed distribution to the State via §11900. First, §11900(a) controls “property that is not ordered distributed to known beneficiaries” (emphasis added) and the public guardian here contends that there are no known beneficiaries. Second, there is no statutory provision for an escheat order directly out of a conservatorship. See, e.g., CCP §1441 and Probate Code §§ 7601, 7604, and 11902. Third, with no personal representative duty-bound to search for kin, the representative in the accounting that no kin exists does not meet the clear and convincing threshold for this Court to simply send the balance of the estate to the State. While it is presumed that the funeral director tried to locate next of kin (§7600.6), remains can be delivered directly to a conservator and often is (§7100(a)(7)). The public guardian has an affirmative duty to search for testate instruments (§7602), but there is no mention of this in the proposed distribution. In the last 1850 report, the conservatee appeared to be in good health, and it would have been prudent at that time for the public guardian to consider running a petition for substituted judgment to prepare some kind of estate plan – if for nothing else to leave funds to Saint Francis Guest House (for example).

Does public guardian wish to run the probate case per §7620? If so, and no beneficiaries are identified, the funds would escheat to the County, not the State (see §7663).

4/21/2026 10:31 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Hon: Steven Streger

Department 5 April 24, 2026 10:00 am DA Case # Date Filed

10 PR10760 Guardianship of Amielle Jade Miller 09/15/2011

Dale Miller Pro Per

Amielle Jade Miller

Nicole M Grillo

Review Hearing

Termination of Guardianship - Minor is 18

11/18/2013 Termination of Guardianship File Tracking 12/11/2024 High Density Other Cases PR11371

No appearance is necessary.

There being no petition to extend the guardianship on file, and the minor having already reached the age of majority, this guardianship has terminated by operation of law.

4/21/2026 10:31 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Hon: Steven Streger

Department 5 April 24, 2026 10:00 am DA Case # Date Filed

11 PR11902 Guardianship of Bayleigh High 02/03/2021

Catherine Rafferty Pro Per

Bayleigh High

Review Hearing - Guardian Rept-Probate Code 1513.2

02/03/2021 Petition File Tracking 02/03/2021 Petition 04/24/2024 High Density

Court is awaiting receipt of the GC-251.

4/21/2026 10:31 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Hon: Steven Streger

Department 5 April 24, 2026 10:00 am DA Case # Date Filed

12 PR12440 Guardianship of Bear Arlington Chagoya Millis, et al 03/28/2024

Debra L. Shaw Pro Per

Bear Arlington Chagoya Millis Attorney: Jennifer Lothert

Leo Rod Robert Millis Attorney: Jennifer Lothert

Review Hearing

FURTHER - housing update

03/28/2024 Petition File Tracking 03/28/2024 Petition 09/30/2024 High Density

Update from minor’s counsel and from the court investigator regarding reliable housing for the wards

4/21/2026 10:31 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Hon: Steven Streger

Department 5 April 24, 2026 10:00 am DA Case # Date Filed

13 PR10766 Guardianship of Landen P. Underwood 09/23/2011

Steven Levi Zukal

Courtney Lee Zukal

Landen Paul Underwood

Janis Zukal Pro Per

Review Hearing - Guardian Rept-Probate Code 1513.2

FURTHER

09/23/2011 Petition: Other File Tracking 09/23/2011 Petition 03/13/2025 High Density Other Cases PR10767

Court is awaiting receipt of the GC-251.

4/21/2026 10:31 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Hon: Steven Streger

Department 5 April 24, 2026 10:00 am DA Case # Date Filed

14 PR11794 Guardianship of Leila Rose Klaverweiden 02/21/2020

Curtis Cashen

Carol Cashen

Leila Rose Klaverweiden

Carol Ann Cashen Pro Per

Curtis James Cashen Pro Per

Leila Rose Klaverweiden

Accounting Hearing

4th

11/09/2022 Petition File Tracking 01/30/2025 High Density Other Cases PR11527

Court is awaiting accounting from the guardians.

4/21/2026 10:31 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Hon: Steven Streger

Department 5 April 24, 2026 10:00 am DA Case # Date Filed

15 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

Update from minor’s counsel as she was unable to get far since last hearing.

Update from court investigator since last hearing.

Bio parents do not currently have visits as they reportedly declined to submit to regular testing per Family Code §3041.5.

Tribe joined as party, but no formal response or objection filed yet.

Trial setting?

4/21/2026 10:31 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Hon: Steven Streger

Department 5 April 24, 2026 10:00 am DA Case # Date Filed

16 PR12690 Guardianship of Victoria Leandra Anderson 08/18/2025

Chelsea Van Atta Pro Per

Victoria Anderson Attorney: Christine Parraz

Appoint Guardian

FURTHER

08/18/2025 Petition File Tracking 08/18/2025 Petition 10/22/2025 Cassandra Vigardt Other Cases FL14643 FL12701

Attorney Parraz was MIA last hearing, so hopefully she is up to speed.

4/21/2026 10:31 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Hon: Steven Streger

Department 5 April 24, 2026 10:00 am DA Case # Date Filed

17 PR11901 Guardianship of Nathan Shrader, Austin Shrader and Jordan Shrader 01/27/2021

Robert Patania Pro Per

Nathan Shrader Attorney: Jennifer Lothert

Austin Shrader Attorney: Jennifer Lothert

Jordan Shrader Attorney: Jennifer Lothert

Robin Grove Pro Per

Johnathan Shrader Pro Per

Motion Hearing - Visitation

FURTHER

03/18/2025 Termination of Guardianship File Tracking 03/24/2025 High Density

No appearance is necessary.

Due to ongoing needs, matter will need to be continued to 05/29/2026 at 10 a.m. Guardian’s request for a TECO temporarily halting scheduled visits is granted.

4/21/2026 10:31 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Hon: Steven Streger

Department 5 April 24, 2026 10:00 am DA Case # Date Filed

18 PR12607 In re: The Berchtold Living Trust 02/18/2025

Richard Berchtold Attorney: Anthony Johnston

Dannie Berchtold

Petition Hearing

FURTHER - orders? dismiss petition?

02/18/2025 Petition File Tracking 03/17/2025 High Density

Although the issue of removing Dannie and ruling on his objections is technically under submission, the trustees were to have continued working toward liquidating the trust assets to enable a distribution. Court expects an update on this effort.

4/21/2026 10:31 am

Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne Consolidated Calendar Hon: Steven Streger

Department 5 April 24, 2026 1:30 pm DA Case # Date Filed

19 CV68125 Petition of Connie Marie Abbott 02/13/2026

Connie Marie Abbott Pro Per

OSC Hearing - Name Change

02/13/2026 Petition File Tracking 03/10/2026 High Density

Nonconfidential name change.

4/21/2026 10:31 am