Judge: Kerry Bensinger, Case: 21STCV39128, Date: 2023-01-20 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 21STCV39128    Hearing Date: January 20, 2023    Dept: 27

 

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES - CENTRAL DISTRICT

 

Abril Sotelo, et al.,

                   Plaintiff(s),

          vs.

 

Emilia Mendoza, et al.,

 

                   Defendant(s).

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      CASE NO.: 21STCV39128

 

[TENTATIVE] ORDER RE: PETITION TO CONFIRM MINOR’S COMPROMISE

 

Dept. 27

1:30 p.m.

January 20, 2023

 

Claimant Abril Sotelo (“Claimant”), a minor, by and through their Guardian Ad Litem, Eneida Dominguez (“Petitioner”), has agreed to settle their claims against Defendant Emilia Mendoza in exchange for $60,000.  If approved, $10,242.62 will be used for medical expenses, and 19,998 will be used for attorney’s fees, leaving a balance of $29,759.38 for Claimant to be invested in a single-premium deferred annuity, subject to withdrawal only upon the authorization of the Court.

Court approval is required for all settlements of a minor’s claim.  (Probate Code §§ 3500, 3600, et seq.; Code Civ. Proc. § 372.)  The Court has reviewed the proposed settlement and finds that it is fair and reasonable.  Further, the requested attorney’s fees, which amounts to 33.3% of the total settlement, is fair and reasonable.

The unopposed Petition to approve minor’s compromise is GRANTED. 

The Court sets an OSC for April 20, 2023 for proof of deposit.  (Cal. Rules of Court, Rule 7.953(a).)  If an acknowledgement of receipt by the financial institution is filed before that date, no appearance will be required. 

Per California Rules of Court, Rule 7.952, Petitioner and Claimant must appear at the hearing, unless the Court finds good cause to excuse their appearance.  The Court finds that Claimant’s appearance is not necessary, but will require Petitioner to appear. 

Moving party to give notice.

Parties who intend to submit on this tentative must send an email to the Court at SSCDEPT27@lacourt.org indicating intention to submit on the tentative as directed by the instructions provided on the court website at www.lacourt.org.  Please be advised that if you submit on the tentative and elect not to appear at the hearing, the opposing party may nevertheless appear at the hearing and argue the matter.  Unless you receive a submission from all other parties in the matter, you should assume that others might appear at the hearing to argue.  If the Court does not receive emails from the parties indicating submission on this tentative ruling and there are no appearances at the hearing, the Court may, at its discretion, adopt the tentative as the final order or place the motion off calendar.

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Dated this 20th day of January 2023

 

 

 

 

Hon. Kerry Bensinger

Judge of the Superior Court