Tentative Rulings
Civil Tentative Rulings and Probate Examiner Recommendations are available below. All attempts possible are made to have the information on these pages updated by 3:00pm the day prior to hearing in order to allow for any needed continuances or travel if an appearance should be required.
Civil Tentative Rulings: The court does not issue tentative rulings on Writs of Attachment, Writs of Possession, Claims of Exemption, Claims of Right to Possession, Motions to Tax Costs After Trial, Motions for New Trial, or Motions to Continue Trial. Under California Rules of Court, rule 3.1308 and Local Rule 701, any party opposed to the tentative ruling must notify the court and other parties by 4:00 p.m. today of their intention to appear for oral argument. The court's notice must be made by facsimile (fax) to 559-733-6774; by email to research_attorney@tulare.courts.ca.gov; or by telephoning (559) 730-5010.
Probate Examiner Recommendations: For further information regarding a probate matter listed below you may contact the Probate Document Examiner at 559-730-5000 ext #1430. The Probate Calendar Clerk may be reached at 559-730-5000 Option 4, then Option 6. Note: The court does not issue probate examiner recommendations on petitions for approval of compromise of claim.
Civil Tentative Rulings
The Tentative Rulings for Friday, September 4, 2026, are:
Re: LUCINDA TERRELL and Estate of JACK TERRELL, by and through its successor in interest et al vs. FERREIRA CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. et al
Case No.: PCU334768
Date: September 4, 2026
Time: 8:30 A.M.
Dept. 19-The Honorable Russell P. Burke
Motion: Plaintiff’s Ex Parte Application for OST re: Motions to Compel Further Responses
Tentative Ruling:
-To grant the ex parte application and hear Plaintiff’s motions to compel further responses on September 22, 2026, 8:30 am, Dept. 19;
-To continue Defendant FPW’s motions for protective orders to be heard at the same time on September 22, 2026, 8:30 am, Dept. 19;
-To order counsel to appear to set trial in this matter within 120 days of July 21, 2026; Counsel may appear in any manner.
Facts and Analysis
Plaintiff filed this matter May 8, 2026.
Plaintiff’s motion for trial preference was set initially for July 21, 2028 and continued to July 28, 2026. On July 28, 2026, the motion for trial preference was granted. However, no trial date has been set.
On June 11, 2026, Plaintiffs served FPW with Special Interrogatories, Set One, and Requests for Production of Documents, Set One.
On July 8, 2026, FPW sent meet and confer correspondence in advance of seeking a protective order related to the scope of this discovery.
On July 27, 2026, FPW provided verified responses.
On July 28, 2026, Plaintiffs sent meet and confer correspondence as to the received responses.
On August 18, 2206, FPW provided verified amended responses.
On August 28, 2026, Plaintiffs filed these motions to compel further responses, setting them for October 13, 2026.
Plaintiffs note that a trial date within 120 days of July 21, 2026 hearing falls in November 2026 and therefore discovery cut off will occur in October 2026.
On September 2, 2026, Plaintiffs moved ex parte for an order shortening time to hear the discovery motions earlier than October 13, 2026.
California Rule of Court, rule 3.1202 provides the requirements for an ex parte application as to showing required:
“(c) Affirmative factual showing required
An applicant must make an affirmative factual showing in a declaration containing competent testimony based on personal knowledge of irreparable harm, immediate danger, or any other statutory basis for granting relief ex parte.”
Here, Plaintiffs have demonstrated sufficient good cause based upon the anticipated trial date, the anticipated discovery cut off, and the first available hearing for these motions.
Therefore, the Court grants the motion and set the motions to compel further on shortened time to September 22, 2026, 8:30 am, Dept. 19. Given the related issues presented in FPW’s motions for protective orders currently set for September 8, 2026, the Court will continue FPW’s motions for protective orders to be heard with the motions to compel further on September 22, 2026, at 8:30 am, in Dept. 19.
Finally, the Court notes that no trial date appears set. The Court will order counsel to appear at this hearing to set trial. Counsel may appear in any manner.
If no one requests oral argument, under Code of Civil Procedure section 1019.5(a) and California Rules of Court, rule 3.1312(a), no further written order is necessary. The minute order adopting this tentative ruling will become the order of the court and service by the clerk will constitute notice of the order. Court reporters are usually not available for law and motion matters in the civil division. The parties and counsel must provide their own reporter if they want a transcript of the proceedings.
Probate Examiner Recommendations
Honorable Bret D. Hillman Presiding- Department 2
Examiner notes for probate matters calendared August 26, 2026, that allow for posting:
Status: Recommended for Approval (RFA), Appearance Required or Recommended, Approval Conditional Upon, etc.
|
Case Number |
Case Name |
Type |
Status |
Comments |
|
VPR054190 |
In the Matter of Medina, Jose Luis |
Letters of Administration |
Appearance Required |
Petition Item 2d(2): amount of bond omitted |
|
VPR053497 |
In the Matter of Chavez, Lily Mendez |
Final Distribution Hearing |
Appearance Required |
Documents in order |
|
VPR053305 |
In the Matter of Prine, Audrey R. |
Final Distribution Hearing |
Appearance Required |
1. Petition paragraph 12; 14 Statutory Computation: loss on sale of $165,000 does not reflect loss on sale of $168,000 in Schedule A. 2. Extraordinary Fees Request: must be accompanied by a statement of the facts specifying the amount and hourly rate for each category as required in CRC, rule 7.702 and 7.703 |
|
VPR053501 |
In the Matter of Martinez, Raymond Carl |
Final Distribution Hearing |
Appearance Required |
Documents in order |
|
VPR048986 |
In the Matter of Hurtado, Samuel Martinez |
Petition Hearing |
Appearance Required |
Documents in order |
|
VPR054128 |
In the Matter of Cardona, Olivia M. |
Appoint Conservator |
Appearance Required |
Documents in order. Court investigation not completed |
|
VPR054125 |
In the Matter of White, Kristophor Gary |
Appoint Conservator |
Appearance Required |
Documents in order |
Honorable Russell Burke Presiding- Department 19
Examiner notes for probate matters:
Probate calendar for September 3, 2026
Status: Recommended for Approval (RFA), Appearance Required or Recommended, Approval Conditional Upon, etc.
PLEASE NOTE: All attempts possible are made to have the information on this page entered by 3:00 p.m. the day prior to hearing in order to allow for any needed continuances or travel if an appearance should be required. For further information regarding a probate matter listed below you may contact the Probate Document Examiner at (559) 730-5000 x 1302 or 1430
|
Case Number |
Case Name |
Type |
Status |
Comments |
|
9/3/2026 8:30 |
PPR054091 |
In the Matter of Gilmer, Carol |
Appoint Conservator |
Matter appears to be in order |
|
9/3/2026 8:30 |
PPR054092 |
In the Matter of Gilmer, Allen |
Appoint Conservator |
Matter appears to be in order |
|
9/3/2026 8:30 |
PPR054214 |
In the Matter of Dennis Jr., William Harrison |
Determine Succession to Primary Residence |
Not filed- Notice of Hearing & Heirs’ assignment of interest Amended Order lodged |
|
9/3/2026 8:30 |
PPR054235 |
In the Matter of Smothers, Barbara |
Letters of Administration |
Children of decedent are not all included in #8 |
|
9/3/2026 8:30 |
PPR054236 |
In the Matter of Everhart, Joann |
Letters of Administration |
6(a-h) NO SELECTION MADE, but relatives are listed in #8. – (f) NEXT OF KIN |
|
9/3/2026 8:30 |
PPR053809 |
In the Matter of Miller, Judy K. |
Petition Hearing - FINAL DISTRIBUTION |
Matter appears to be in order |
|
9/3/2026 8:30 |
PPR053973 |
In the Matter of Micaela Gomez Living Trust |
Motion Hearing- SET ASIDE ORDER |
No issues to address with filings |
South County Justice Center & County Civic Center- Visalia
GUARDIANSHIP CASES
SCJC- Honorable Russell Burke Presiding
Visalia- Honorable Bret D. Hillman; Honorable Nathan D. Ide; Honorable David C. Mathias
Examiner notes for probate GUARDIANSHIP matters calendared September 2, 2026 & September 3, 2026 that allow for posting:
PLEASE NOTE: All attempts possible are made to have the information on this page entered by 3:00 p.m. the day prior to hearing in order to allow for any needed continuances or travel if an appearance should be required. For further information regarding a probate matter listed below you may contact the Probate Document Examiner at (559) 730-5000 x 1302.
|
Hearing Date & Time |
Department Number |
Case Number |
Case Name |
Comments |
|
9/2/26 8:30 AM |
Department 01 |
VPR053085 |
In the Matter of Camacho, Mia |
Petition Hearing- Declaration of Good Cause to waive notice has NOT been filed with the court, pursuant to Probate Code §1460(e); No request made to shorten the time for giving a notice of hearing, Probate Code §1203 NEED Notice of Hearing GC-020 form to be filed indicating parties to this case were served with a copy of the Notice of Hearing pursuant to Prob Code §1460, service to be given 15 days before hearing |
|
9/3/26 8:30 AM |
Department 09 |
VPR053168 |
In the Matter of L.M. |
NEED Notice of Hearing to be filed indicating the Notice of Hearing was served pursuant to Probate Code §1460 |
|
9/3/26 8:30 AM |
Department 19 |
PPR050803 |
In the Matter of I.A.A. |
Terminate Guardianship Hearing- Moving party to contact court investigator NEED Notice of Hearing (GC-020) to be filed indicating relatives were served with a copy of the Notice of Hearing, 15 calendar days, as required by PROB Code §1511 |
|
9/3/26 8:30 AM |
Department 09 |
VPR050772 |
In the Matter of J.S.C.Z. |
Petition Hearing- Petition is incomplete at #3, #5, and no supporting facts attachment. No Order lodged NEED Notice of Hearing (GC-020) to be filed indicating service of the Notice of Hearing, 15 calendar days, as required by PROB Code §1511, §2352, CRC 7.1013 |
|
9/3/26 10:00 AM |
Department 01 |
VPR050006 |
In the Matter of S.A.S. |
CO-GUARDIANS have not filed the Confidential Guardianship Status Review Report for 2025/2026 |