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Fraud Alert: Scam Text Messages Claiming DMV Penalties -

We have been made aware of fraudulent text messages being sent to individuals claiming to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or the court system. These messages often state that the recipient owes penalties or fees related to traffic violations or DMV infractions and may include a link or phone number to resolve the matter. 

Take these steps to reduce the chances of falling victim to a text message scam:

  • Never respond to unsolicited or suspicious texts — If you receive a message asking for personal or financial information, do not reply.
  • Verify the source — If you are unsure, always contact the DMV through official channels.
  • Call the DMV if you have concerns — The DMV customer service team is available to help you at 800-777-0133.

Please see DMV warning about fraudulent texts: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/news-and-media/dmv-warns-of-fraudulent-te…

Jury Scam alert -

The Santa Barbara Superior Court has received complaints about individuals trying to scam members of the public by pretending to be court officers or officials. The Jury Services office of the Santa Barbara Superior Court does not call citizens to request payments for failing to appear for jury duty. California law does not permit citizens to pay a fine in lieu of jury duty. If you receive such a call simply hang up and, if the scammer persists, call your local law enforcement agency. Learn more about the recent scam warning.

Notice to Jurors:

Prospective jurors summoned for jury service can expect to receive their jury summons in postcard form. Please check your mail for a postcard with important instructions to fulfil your jury service. Visit the Jury Services page for more information.

Conservatorship of Joanetta Hanson

Case Number

21PR00490

Case Type

Conservatorship - Person and Estate

Hearing Date / Time

Mon, 11/13/2023 - 08:30

Nature of Proceedings

First Accounting and Report

Tentative Ruling

Probate Notes:

Appearances required.  The following is noted for the Court:

Status Report Unverified.  Report must be verified by Petitioner (Prob. Code, § 1021(a)(1)) and signed by attorney (CCP, § 128.7).  The report on file is unverified by the Conservator.  It is recommended the Court strike this filing on its own motion for failure to be filed in accordance with state law. (CCP, § 436(b).)

Issues With Status Report.  The Status Report filed by the Conservator on October 27, 2023 may not contain sufficient information to constitute good cause as to delay of the accounting.  The Court needs more facts to understand why discovery of the title holder to the Puerto Rico property has not yet occurred. Since failure to file a timely accounting is grounds for sanctions and/or surcharge of any requested fees to the conservator in that accounting (Prob. Code, 2620.2(a), (c), and (d)), the Court should inquire further into this circumstance.

Further problematic is Conservator’s acknowledgment of plans for an in-person visit to the Puerto Rico property that is in dispute as to ownership by the Conservatee’s estate.  There appears to be no reason for such trip, other than an inappropriate expenditure of the estate funds to poorly justify a leisure trip to Puerto Rico for the Conservator.  It is recommended the Court order that no conservatorship funds be expended to pay for the trip, and that no estate funds will be used to reimburse the Conservator for the trip, or time spent on the trip doing anything more than the time it would take to investigate the situation remotely with the use of local counsel.

As the Court’s representative, the Court Investigator is required to visit the conservatee to make advisements and determine ongoing need in accordance with Probate Code section 1851. The Court Investigator must be served with a copy of the accounting. In Santa Maria, it should be sent to 312-C E. Cook Street, Santa Maria, CA 93454. In Santa Barbara, it should be sent to 118 E. Figueroa, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.

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