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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.

Matter of Ann Sharlyn Reading Trust

Case Number

24PR00571

Case Type

Trust

Hearing Date / Time

Wed, 11/13/2024 - 08:30

Nature of Proceedings

Petition for Internal Affairs

Tentative Ruling

Probate Notes:

Appearances required. 

Probate Code §15642(b) states that the grounds for removal “include” the nine enumerated grounds, but the statute does not limit the court to those grounds. For this reason, and because the last ground, “other good cause,” is a flexible catch-all, the discretionary power of a court to remove a trustee is very broad.

Petitioner alleges the current trustee has “failed to act” after the death of the settlor.  Although no specific harm to the trust is alleged (i.e. the trust is losing money on bad investments, trust property is suffering waste due to lack of repair, etc.), the trust should not even exist at this point in time (nine years after the death of the settlor), because of the mandatory distribution clause in the trust:

VI. Distribution of Trust Property Upon Death of Grantor
Upon the death of the grantor, the trustee shall distribute the trust property outright to the beneficiaries named in Section V, Paragraphs (A) and (B.

(Pet. at ex. A, Art. VI.)

Therefore, the Court may exercise its broad discretion to find good cause for removal of the trustee, and appoint the petition to affect the final distribution of trust assets.

Any Respondents desirous to object to the Petition, must file a written objection before the hearing.  The court has authority to require all objectors to file a written objection pursuant CRC, Rule 7.801, or else deem the failure to do so a waiver.

Due to staffing limitations, processing times may be delayed. To assist in processing, attorneys and parties should include the next court date in the “Filing Description” field provided by the electronic service provider. That field is also used for further descriptions of the document being e-filed, so be sure to put the calendar date FIRST in the field – BEFORE any further description of the document being e-filed (e.g.: 06/28/16 For XYZ).

Appearances:

The court is open to the public for court business. The court is also conducting hearings via Zoom videoconference.

Meeting ID: 161 956 1423

Passcode: 137305

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