Judge: Lee S. Arian, Case: 19STCV30633, Date: 2024-03-20 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 19STCV30633    Hearing Date: March 20, 2024    Dept: 27

¿ 

¿¿ 

TENTATIVE¿¿ 

¿¿ 

The Court excuses the personal appearance of Claimants and the Petitioner/guardian ad litem. Counsel may appear by telephone or video conference call.    

In the Court's December 11, 2023, minute order, several deficiencies were identified in Claimant Sophia Lavrentev and Claimant Nikita Lavrentev’s November 22, 2023 petitions. The Court noted that the petitions had conflicting information. Item 11(b)(5) in MC-350 showed that Petitioner Evgeny Lavrentev would receive $25,000 and Claimant Sophia Lavrentev would receive $15,000. However, Item 16(a) showed that Claimant Nikita Lavrentev would receive $15,000 thus totaling $55,000 and not the  $40,000 reflected in Item11(b)(1). Additionally, Petitioner failed to show where the settlement balance was to be deposited.

The Court has reviewed the current Petitions to Approve Compromise of Pending Action for Nikita Lavrentev, 11, and Sophia Lavrenteva, 9.  Petitioner rectified the previously identified errors. In the proposed settlement for Nikita Lavrentev, $3,750 will be allocated for attorneys' fees, and $472 for costs, leaving a net balance of $10,778 to be awarded to Claimant Nikita Lavrentev. For Sophia Lavrentev, $3,750 will be allocated for attorneys' fees, and $3,234.12 for expenses, resulting in a net balance of $8,015.88 to be awarded to Claimant Sophia Lavrentev.

The Court finds the settlement fair and reasonable.  The Court also finds the attorney’s fees fair and reasonable.  Based on the foregoing, the petition filed on February 16, 2024, is GRANTED. 

The Court sets an Order to Show Cause Re: Compliance on____________________ IN DEPARTMENT SS-27 AT 8:30 AM.¿¿¿¿ 

Moving party is ordered to give notice.