Probate Court 1 Policies and Procedures - Honorable Jeffrey S. Bostwick
Central Division, Madge Bradley Bldg.
Effective September 3, 20112

Honorable Jeffrey S. Bostwick Presiding

Probate Department Courtroom Staff:

Court Clerk:	Judith Morrison
Bailiff:
Courtroom:	(619) 450-7501
Probate Examiners:		Court Investigators:
Minyawnna Burton		Richard Costantinou
Kristine Corral		Hector Lanza
Gabriela Gonzalez		Christel May
Sarah Jacquemin-Fitch		MaryLynn Fernandes
Pat Orozco		Jason Scott
Lisa Quenga-Guerrero
Jerica Scurlock
Bill Stryker
Ae-Young Kim
Mary Heredia
Christina Doppman
Contact Number:		(619) 450-7676

A. Contested Ex Parte Applications

1. Prerequisite Showing:

The court will not hear ex parte contested matters unless the moving papers show extraordinary circumstances.  See San Diego Court Rule 4.7.6 (L). Counsel and all self represented parties are reminded that an ex parte application requires an affirmative factual showing by a written declaration signed under penalty of perjury which contains competent testimony based on personal knowledge that irreparable harm, immediate danger, or any other extraordinary circumstances exists.

2. Ex Parte Days/Times:

3. Required Notice:

A party seeking ex parte relief must provide notice to all persons entitled to notice. Parties appearing ex parte must serve the application, or any written opposition, on all other appearing parties no later than 10:00 AM the day before the ex parte appearance.  Absent exceptional circumstances, no hearing shall be conducted unless the ex parte applicant can show such notice has been provided by the timely service of these papers.

A showing that timely notice as provided herein has been provided requires the ex parte applicant to present the court with a written Declaration of Notice signed under penalty of perjury that includes the date, time, manner, and name of the party informed, the relief sought, any response, and whether opposition is expected.  Unless exceptional circumstances excusing notice are claimed, this declaration must accompany every request for an ex parte order.

If the ex parte applicant claims exceptional circumstances excuses notice of the ex parte hearing, the applicant shall present the court with a written declaration signed under penalty of perjury clearly stating the reasons why notice should not be required.  This declaration must accompany every request for an ex parte order where relief is sought without notice to the opposing party.  The Court will not consider a request to waive notice when the recipient's address is unknown unless the declaration required by the California Rules of Court, Rule 7.52  is also submitted.

4.  Rules of Court:

All Applicants for ex parte relief are expected to comply with the California Rules of Court, Rule 3.1200 et seq, and the San Diego County Superior Court Rules ,4.7.5 and 4.7.6.

5.  Order:

Ex Parte Applications must include a separately prepared order.

B.  Law and Motion

Law and Motion matters are heard at 1:30 PM on Thursday. In most cases, the Court will post a Tentative Ruling by Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 PM. The ruling may be accessed online at the probate section of the court’s website, www.sdcourt.ca.gov  If all counsel wish to submit on the Tentative Ruling rather than appear for argument, please contact the department clerk to advise the Court.

Deadlines for filing Law and Motion Pleadings are governed by the Code of Civil Procedure and the California Rules of Court. Provisions of the Local Rules of Probate, that are inconsistent with the Code of Civil Procedure, are not applicable to Law and Motion matters, and will not be observed by the Court. Late pleadings will not be considered.

Counsel shall not submit their Motion or Points & Authorities with the request for Ex Parte hearing. The Court does require, however, a brief pleading, no longer than one page, double-spaced, stating the discovery issue(s) to be calendared for hearing.

When a matter settles, or a hearing is otherwise unnecessary, PLEASE notify the Clerk at the earliest opportunity so that limited Court resources will not be wasted reviewing the Motion.

C.  Trials and Evidentiary Hearings

The Court hears trials and evidentiary hearings calendars on Mondays and Fridays. The Court sets the dates for a trial or evidentiary hearing. The trial and evidentiary hearing schedule is 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM, with a 15 minute recess in the morning and afternoon. Counsel must complete their matters within the time allotted.

Exhibits must be pre-marked. All evidence must be pre-marked by the Court Clerk. Please provide an extra set of exhibits for the Court and the witnesses. Please confirm with the Clerk that exhibits have been properly marked prior to the commencement of trial.

D.  Telephonic Appearances

Pursuant to the provisions of the California Rules of Court, Rule 3.670(l), the Court has designated CourtCall, LLC as the provider that must be used for certain telephonic court appearances. Absent an order of the Court, CourtCall may be used for any matter other than trials or evidentiary hearings.

A party that intends to appear via CourtCall for a hearing must provide notice as specified in the California Rules of Court, rule 3.670(g). The party must also arrange the appearance with CourtCall, including following any notice requirements and payment of fees as required by CourtCall. Information on arranging an appearance and payment of fees may be obtained directly from CourtCall at (888) 882-6878.

The court may deny a request to appear telephonically and require the parties to appear in person pursuant to the California Rules of Court, rule 3.670(h).

E.  Telecourt

Thank you,
Judge Jeffrey S. Bostwick