Estate of Soiland

PROBATE CALENDAR MARCH 27, 2026

1. ESTATE OF SOILAND, PP20170126

Petition to Approve Modification of Settlement

On February 17, 2026, the special administrator filed a verified petition to approve

modification of the settlement agreement that was executed on January 8, 2020 (and

approved by this court on February 24, 2020), between the following parties:

(1) Jeannine Altmeyer, the decedent’s wife; (2) Solveig Bianca, decedent’s daughter; and

(3) Tove Soiland, decedent’s daughter. The original settlement provided that Laila

Soiland,1 the decedent’s daughter who had not been seen or heard from in decades, was entitled to an 18.33 percent share of the net sales proceeds of the Golden Bird

sculpture. (Petn., Ex. A at p. 8 under Agreements, ¶ 6(d)(iii).)

After locating Laila and confirming her decision to decline any distribution from the

estate, the settling parties have executed a Settlement Modification Agreement to

dispose of Laila’s share. (Petn., ¶ 5 & Ex. C.) The modified settlement effectively

distributes to Jeaninne, Solveig, and Tove the share they voluntarily created for Laila in

the same percentages as prior distributions. Absent court approval, Laila’s share would

remain undistributed and confer no benefit on the decedent’s family. (Petn., ¶ 23.)

Proof of service filed March 6, 2026, shows the petition was timely served upon all

parties via mail that same day. (Prob. Code, §§ 1220, subd. (a)(1) [requiring 15 calendar

days’ notice], 9611, subd. (c), 9837, subd. (c).)

On March 10, 2026, counsel for Dr. Daniel Leu2 submitted a declaration certifying the translation of the declaration of Ulrich Graber filed in this case on November 14, 2025.

1 The court will refer to the parties by first name only. The court intends no disrespect. 2 Dr. Leu claims to be the power of attorney for Ulrich Graber, the alleged guardian of

Laila’s estate as appointed by an administrative agency in Switzerland – the Swiss Confederation’s Child and Adult Protection Agency (Kindes-und Erwachsenenschutzbehorde), Meilen District, which is commonly referred to as the “KESB.”

PROBATE CALENDAR MARCH 27, 2026

Dr. Leu’s position is that Mr. Graber is entitled to collect Laila’s share from the decedent’s

estate.

The court has previously given Dr. Leu multiple opportunities to present admissible

evidence supporting his position and standing in this matter and he has not done so. The

Special Administrator states that Laila does not live in Switzerland, and it is not clear why

she would need a guardian in Switzerland as she is living independently in a different

country. Further, Swiss law and authority vested in Swiss government agencies are not

applicable to a California probate action involving the estate of a California permanent resident. Accordingly, there is no basis to distribute Laila’s share to Mr. Gruber.

The petition to approve the modification to the settlement agreement is granted.

TENTATIVE RULING # 1: THE PETITION IS GRANTED AS REQUESTED. NO HEARING ON THIS

MATTER WILL BE HELD (LEWIS v. SUPERIOR COURT (1999) 19 CAL.4TH 1232, 1247), UNLESS

A NOTICE OF INTENT TO APPEAR AND REQUEST FOR ORAL ARGUMENT IS TRANSMITTED

ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH THE COURT’S WEBSITE OR BY TELEPHONE TO THE COURT AT

(530) 573-3042 BY 4:00 P.M. ON THE DAY THE TENTATIVE RULING IS ISSUED. NOTICE TO

ALL PARTIES OF AN INTENT TO APPEAR MUST BE MADE BY TELEPHONE OR IN PERSON.

PROOF OF SERVICE OF SAID NOTICE MUST BE FILED PRIOR TO OR AT THE HEARING.