Judge: Katherine Chilton, Case: 22STLC06957, Date: 2023-02-21 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 22STLC06957    Hearing Date: February 21, 2023    Dept: 25

PROCEEDINGS:      PETITION FOR MINOR’S COMPROMISE

MOVING PARTY:   Petitioner Bianca Pacheco on behalf of minor Claimant Joaquin Duenas

RESP. PARTY:         None

PETITION TO APPROVE MINOR’S COMPROMISE OF DISPUTED CLAIM

(CCP § 372, CRC, rule 7.950.5)

TENTATIVE RULING:

The hearing on the Petition for Approval of Minor’s Compromise filed on behalf of minor Claimant Joaquin Duenas is CONTINUED to MARCH 21, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. in Department 25 at the SPRING STREET COURTHOUSE.  Petitioner is ordered to file supplemental papers addressing the issues discussed herein at least 16 court days before the next scheduled hearing.

SERVICE:

[X] Proof of Service Timely Filed (CRC, rule 3.1300)                 NONE

[X] Correct Address (CCP §§ 1013, 1013a)                                                 NONE

[X] 16/21 Court Days Lapsed (CCP §§ 12c, 1005(b))                     NONE

OPPOSITION:          None filed as of February 14, 2023.                     [   ] Late                      [X] None

REPLY:                     None filed as of February 14, 2023.                     [   ] Late                      [X] None

ANALYSIS:

I.                Background

            On October 19, 2022, Minor Joaquin Duenas (“Claimant”) filed an action against Defendant Beverly Villaluz (“Defendant”) arising out of an alleged motor vehicle accident on November 19, 2021.  Bianca Pachecho was appointed Claimant’s guardian ad litem on October 31, 2022.

            On November 15, 2022, Claimant, through his guardian ad litem, filed the instant Petition to Approve Minor’s Compromise of Disputed Claim.  No opposition has been filed.

II.              Legal Standard

            Court approval is required for all settlements of a minor’s claim. (Prob. Code §§ 3500, 3600, et seq.; CCP § 372.) “‘[W]ithout trial court approval of the proposed compromise of the ward’s claim, the settlement cannot be valid.  [Citation.] [¶] Nor is the settlement binding [on the minor] until it is endorsed by the trial court.’” (Pearson v. Superior Court (2012) 202 Cal.App.4th 1333, 1338.) A minor, like Claimant, “shall appear either by a guardian or conservator of the estate or by a guardian ad litem appointed by the court in which the action or proceeding is pending, or by a judge thereof, in each case.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 372(a)(1).) Alternatively, the petitioner may file a declaration demonstrating that he or she has a right to compromise the minor’s claim under Cal. Probate Code section 3500.

            Regarding the substance of the Petition, to obtain court approval of the settlement of a minor’s claims, the petitioner must file a complete and “verified petition for approval of the settlement and must disclose ‘all information that has any bearing upon the reasonableness of the compromise.’ [Citations.]” (Barnes v. Western Heritage Ins. Co. (2013) 217 Cal.App.4th 249, 256; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 7.950.) (Italics added.)

Under Probate Code § 3505, if a petition is unopposed, the Court must issue a decision on the petition at the conclusion of the hearing.

III.            Discussion

The Petition sets out the following information:

Minor – Joaquin Duenas, 3 years old

Guardian Ad Litem – Bianca Pacheco

Defendants – Beverly Villaluz

            Settlement:                                          $7,000.00

            Attorney’s Fees:                                  $1,750.00

            Litigation Costs:                                 $581.74

            Medical Bills:                                     $918.86

            TOTAL TO BE PAID TO MINOR:             $3,750.26

            General Requirements

·       Petition on Form MC-350?                 YES

·       Proposed Order on Form MC-351?      YES

·       Proof of service on other parties?       NONE.

Type of injury, medical expenses

Minor Claimant Duenas suffered “bruising on his chest and back pain.” (Pet. ¶ 6.)  Claimant received “ambulance and emergency room treatment.”  (Pet. ¶ 7.)

·       Medical records documenting injuries and treatment?  Yes.  (Pet. pp. 15-38.)

·       Negotiated reduction in medical liens?  None.  (Pet. ¶ 12a(3).)

·       Injuries completely healed?  Yes, Claimant “has recovered completely from the effects of the injuries described in item 6, and there are no permanent injuries.”  (Ibid. at ¶ 8.)  However, Petitioner has not submitted any evidence that Minor Claimant’s injuries have completely healed.

Handling of Funds

How are settlement funds to be disposed of?  “$3,750.26 to be deposited in insured accounts in one or more financial institutions in this state, subject to withdrawal only on authorization of the court. The name, branch, and address of each depository are specified in Attachment 18b(2).”  (Pet. ¶ 18b(2); MC-355.)  However, Attachment 18b(2) is missing and there is no information about the account where the funds will be deposited.

Attorneys’ Fees and Litigation Costs

·       Attorneys’ fees requested?  Yes, 25% of total settlement.  (Pet. ¶ 13a; Pet. p. 11: Attach. 13a – Wabby Decl.)

·       If yes, attorney declaration including factors under CRC 7.955(b)?  Not sufficient. (Pet. p. 11: Attach. 13a – Wabby Decl.)

·       Copy of retainer agreement? Yes.  (Pet. p. 14.)

·       Litigation costs requested?  Yes.  (Pet. ¶ 13b.)

o   Itemized?  Yes.  (Pet. ¶ 13b.)

o    

Having reviewed the instant Petition, the Court notes several deficiencies, including the following:

1.     Forms MC-350, 351, and 355 erroneously list the address for the courthouse as Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 North Hills Street, Los Angeles, 90012.  The hearing will be held at the Spring Street Courthouse.

2.     Petitioner has not checked ¶ 1 on Form MC-350 indicating that she is the guardian ad litem for minor Claimant.  Similarly, she has not checked “parent” and “guardian ad litem” on Proposed Order, Form MC-351 ¶ 2.

3.     Petitioner has erroneously checked ¶ 3a on Form MC-350, indicating that the Claimant “is not the subject of a pending action or proceeding.”

4.     Petitioner indicates that Minor Claimant’s injuries have completely healed; however, she has not submitted any evidence to support this contention.  (Pet. ¶ 8.)

5.     Petitioner indicates that $3,998 in medical expenses has been paid but does not provide further explanation of how this amount was paid.  (Pet. ¶ 12a(2).)

6.     Petitioner indicates that medical expenses in the amount of $918.00 will be paid to The Rawlings Company; however, there is no evidence to support this request.  (Pet. ¶ 12b(5)(b)(i).)

7.     Petitioner’s counsel’s declaration does not sufficiently address factors under CRC 7.955(b).  (See Pet. p. 11, Attach. 13a - Wabby Decl.)

8.     Attachment 18b(2) is missing and there is no information about the account where the settlement funds will be deposited.

9.     Petitioner has not filed proof that Respondent has been served with the Petition and supporting documents.

Given these deficiencies, the Court CONTINUES the hearing on the Petition for Minor’s Compromise of Disputed Claim.

IV.           Conclusion & Order

For these reasons, the hearing on the Petition for Approval of Minor’s Compromise filed on behalf of minor Claimant Joaquin Duenas is CONTINUED to MARCH 21, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. in Department 25 at the SPRING STREET COURTHOUSE.  Petitioner is ordered to file supplemental papers addressing the issues discussed herein at least 16 court days before the next scheduled hearing.

Petitioner is ordered to give notice.