Estate of: Linda Kay Lawrence

25PR000977: ESTATE OF: LINDA KAY LAWRENCE 09/02/2026 Hearing on Motion - Other Motion to be Relieved as Counsel in Department 126

Tentative Ruling

NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION TO BE RELIEVED AS COUNSEL

FILED: 8/10/2026

Re: Estate of Linda Kay Lawrence

Moving Party: Thomas G. Martin, (562) 219-3290 Attorney for Administrator Mashanda Pritchard

Responding Party: None

NOTICE: Pursuant to Local Rule 1.06 (A), the court will make a tentative ruling on the merits of this matter by 2:00 p.m., the court day before the hearing. The complete text of the tentative ruling may be downloaded off the court’s website. If the party does not have online access, they may call the dedicated phone number for the Probate Department at (916) 875-2526 between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on the court day before the hearing and receive the tentative ruling. If you do not call the court and the opposing party by 4:00 p.m. the court day before the hearing, no hearing will be held.

Unless ordered to appear in person by the Court, parties may appear remotely either telephonically or by video conference via the Zoom video/audio conference platform with notice to the Court and all other parties in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure § 367.75. Although remote participation is not required, the Court will presume all parties are appearing remotely for non-evidentiary civil hearings. The Department 126 Zoom Link is https://saccourt-cagov.zoomgov.com/my/sscdept126 and the Zoom Meeting ID is 160 5926 9604. To appear on Zoom telephonically, call (833) 568-8864 and enter the Zoom Meeting ID referenced above. NO COURTCALL APPEARANCES WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Parties requesting services of a court reporter will need to arrange for private court reporter services at their own expense, pursuant to Government Code § 68086 and California Rules of Court, Rule 2.956. Requirements for requesting a court reporter are listed in the Policy for Official Reporter Pro Tempore available on the Sacramento Superior Court website at https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/court-reporters/docs/crtrp-6a.pdf. Parties may contact Court- Approved Official Reporters Pro Tempore by utilizing the list of Court Approved Official Reporters Pro Tempore available at https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/court-reporters/docs/crtrp- 13.pdf.

25PR000977: ESTATE OF: LINDA KAY LAWRENCE 09/02/2026 Hearing on Motion - Other Motion to be Relieved as Counsel in Department 126

A Stipulation and Appointment of Official Reporter Pro Tempore (CV/E-206) is required to be signed by each party, the private court reporter, and the Judge prior to the hearing, if not using a reporter from the Court’s Approved Official Reporter Pro Tempore list.

Once the form is signed it must be filed with the clerk. If a litigant has been granted a fee waiver and requests a court reporter, the party must submit a Request for Court Reporter by a Party with a Fee Waiver (CV/E-211) and it must be filed with the clerk at least 10 days prior to the hearing or at the time the proceeding is scheduled if less than 10 days away. Once approved, the clerk will forward the form to the Court Reporter’s Office and an official reporter will be provided.

TENTATIVE RULING Attorney Thomas G. Martin’s motion to be relieved as counsel is GRANTED as follows.

Mr. Martin is the attorney of record for Administrator Mashanda Pritchard. The petition for probate was granted on April 24, 2025, and Letters were issued on April 29, 2026.

In counsel’s supporting declaration, Mr. Martin states that a complete breakdown has occurred in the attorney-client relationship, with circumstances not provided due to the attorney-client privilege. Ms. Pritchard has not signed the substitution of attorney form sent by Mr. Martin.

Mr. Martin indicates he completed mail service to Ms. Pritchard after calling her last known telephone number and attempting personal service at the client’s last known address.

The Court finds good cause for counsel to be relieved pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure, section 284, subd. (2).

Mr. Martin’s motion to be relieved as counsel is GRANTED. The Court will sign the proposed order, which shall be effective upon the filing of the proof of service of the signed order upon the client.

This minute order is effective immediately. No formal order or other notice is required. (Code Civ. Proc., § 1019.5; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1312.)