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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 Piedad Diaz de Uriarte

Case Number

23PR00445

Case Type

Conservatorship

Hearing Date / Time

Tue, 01/09/2024 - 09:00

Nature of Proceedings

Review Hearing re: Petition for Conservatorship of the Person

Tentative Ruling

Probate Notes:

Appearances required.  The following must be addressed at the hearing:

On September 12, 2023, Jesus M. Uriarte filed a petition requesting to be appointed the conservator over the person and estate of Piedad Diaz de Uriarte.  That petition received multiple objections, placing the matter at issue and requiring evidentiary hearing to resolve.

After three hearings, none of which appear to have been evidentiary in nature, the Court appointed Jesus M. Uriarte “as Conservator of PERSON ONLY, not the estate, ” and appointed counsel to represent the proposed conservatee.  The Court also made an order for appointed counsel to be paid out of the proceeds of the sale of the conservatee’s residence. (Min. Ord. filed, Oct. 31, 2023.  The Court appears to have reserved judgment on who to appoint conservator of the estate, and most importantly, did not formally order the sale or distribution of the conservatee’s property.

Despite no one being appointed conservator over the estate, the Court signed a stipulation by all parties to appoint an elisor to sign a listing agreement to retain the services of a real estate agent to sell the conservatee’s home.  This is an odd stipulation, since the use of an elisor is only an extreme remedy to be used when a person refuses a court order to convey property or similar such obstruction (Rayan v. Dykeman (1990) 224 Cal.App.3d 1629, 1635), and there is no record of either an order to sell the property, or an refusal to do so causing an obstruction in this case.

Accordingly, the parties should come prepared to address the absolute necessity of appointing a conservator over the estate in order to properly consummate any sale of the conservtee’s residence properly under the Probate Code provisions governing such an action.  The Court is advised to make no more orders related to the sale of the conservatee’s residence until a conservatee over the estate is appointed.

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