Petition for Appointment of Successor Guardian
CASE NUMBER: 24PG-0032442 Disclosure Re: guardianship cases involving Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency-Judge Wood discloses that her step-daughter, Erinn Watts, is the Administrative Branch Director of the Health and Human Services Agency. In that position, Judge Wood’s step-daughter does not have any involvement in the investigation, management, prosecution or defense of guardianship cases. However, the Court makes this disclosure of an employment relationship between an investigating agency and the Court’s first degree relative as required by California Code of Judicial Ethics.
This matter is on calendar for further proceedings on an Order to Show Cause Re: Termination of Guardianship. This matter is also on calendar for hearing on a Petition for Appointment of Successor Guardian of the Person. The Petition was filed by the minor’s cousin, Elizabeth
Houck. Letters of Temporary Guardianship issued on March 10, 2026, and are set to expire today unless further extended. The current Guardian is Shannon Ray.
The minor has consented to the guardianship and waived notice. Proof of service has been filed for the guardian/maternal grandmother, maternal grandfather, and paternal grandmother. No valid proof of service of the Notice of Hearing and Petition has been filed for the maternal grandmother, mother, or siblings and insufficient information has been provided to permit the Court to dispense with notice. The proof of service for the guardian/maternal grandmother filed on April 20, 2026, is insufficient.
The guardian/maternal grandmother and mother must be personally served in order to move forward on the Petition. Prob. Code § 1511(b). All other parties may be served by mail. Prob. Code § 1511(c). For siblings under 12 years of age, service can be on the parent or guardian with whom the sibling resides. Prob. Code § 1460.1. Alternatively, the above parties can sign a consent and waiver of notice (GC-211, section 4), in lieu of being served.
The Court has reviewed the Court Investigator’s report filed on April 2, 2026, which recommends granting the Petition. The Court will inquire whether the child is or may be an Indian child. If Petitioner has reason to know that the child is an Indian child, they must make further inquiry to learn about the child’s Indian heritage.
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This matter is continued to Monday, July 6, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in Department 42 for further proceedings on the Petition. The Temporary Guardianship is ORDERED to remain in effect until the continued hearing date. Petitioner is required to file and serve a new Notice of Hearing for the continued hearing date, along with a copy of the Petition, on the parties identified above. In the alternative, if Petitioner cannot serve the parties identified, the Court will require a declaration explaining in detail all efforts of Petitioner to locate and serve them and why they cannot be served, to permit the Court to dispense with notice. Warning: Failure to properly effect service or provide adequate basis to dispense with service as to the necessary parties will result in denial of the Petition. Notice is preserved. No appearance is necessary on today’s calendar.
GUARDIANSHIP OF KARRIE REMPFER