Judge: Lisa R. Jaskol, Case: 22STCV26667, Date: 2025-04-16 Tentative Ruling

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Case Number: 22STCV26667    Hearing Date: April 16, 2025    Dept: 28

Having considered the petitioning papers, the Court rules as follows. 

BACKGROUND 

On August 17, 2022, Plaintiffs Rosa Lidia Paz Cruz, Roberto Guzman, and Guillermo Esteban Celis Cabeza, individually and as guardian ad litem for Cesar Guzman and Sherlyn Guzman, minors, filed this action against Defendants Astrid Daniela Payan (“Payan”), J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. (“Hunt”), and Does 1-20 for motor vehicle negligence. 

On February 24, 2023, the Court appointed Guillermo Esteban Celis Cabeza to serve as Plaintiff Sherlyn Guzman’s guardian ad litem.  On March 1, 2023, the Court appointed Guillermo Esteban Celis Cabeza to serve as Plaintiff Cesar Guzman’s guardian ad litem. 

On April 4, 2023, Hunt filed an answer.  On June 26, 2023, Payan filed an answer. 

On January 16, 2024, Plaintiffs filed a notice of settlement. 

On October 14, 2024, the Court dismissed Plaintiffs Rosa Lidia Paz Cruz and Roberto Guzman with prejudice at Plaintiffs’ request. 

On December 4, 2024, Petitioner Guillermo Esteban Celis Cabeza (“Petitioner”) filed petitions for expedited approval of the compromises of the claims of minor Plaintiffs Cesar Guzman and Sherlyn Guzman. 

PETITIONER’S REQUESTS 

Petitioner asks the Court to grant the petitions for expedited approval of the compromises of the claims of minor Plaintiffs Cesar Guzman and Sherlyn Guzman. 

DISCUSSION 

A.   Sherlyn Guzman 

Petitioner has submitted a complete petition with all required information.  The Court grants the petition and orders that the net settlement amount of $486.67 is to be paid or delivered to Claimant Sherlyn Guzman’s parent Rosa Lidia Paz Cruz, who resides at 7949 Bright Avenue, Apt. 12, Whittier, CA 90602, on the terms and under the conditions speci¿ed in Probate Code sections 3401-3402, without bond. 

B.   Cesar Guzman 

Petitioner has submitted a complete petition with all required information.  The Court grants the petition and orders that the net settlement amount of $486.67 is to be paid or delivered to Claimant Cesar Guzman’s parent Rosa Lidia Paz Cruz, who resides at 7949 Bright Avenue, Apt. 12, Whittier, CA 90602, on the terms and under the conditions speci¿ed in Probate Code sections 3401-3402, without bond. 

CONCLUSION 

The Court GRANTS the petition for expedited approval of the compromise of minor Plaintiff Sherlyn Guzman’s claims filed by Petitioner Guillermo Esteban Celis Cabeza on December 4, 2024.  The Court orders that the net settlement amount of $486.67 is to be paid or delivered to Claimant Sherlyn Guzman’s parent Rosa Lidia Paz Cruz, who resides at 7949 Bright Avenue, Apt. 12, Whittier, CA 90602, on the terms and under the conditions speci¿ed in Probate Code sections 3401-3402, without bond. 

The Court GRANTS the petition for expedited approval of the compromise of minor Plaintiff Cesar Guzman’s claims filed by Petitioner Guillermo Esteban Celis Cabeza on December 4, 2024.  The Court orders that the net settlement amount of $486.67 is to be paid or delivered to Claimant Cesar Guzman’s parent Rosa Lidia Paz Cruz, who resides at 7949 Bright Avenue, Apt. 12, Whittier, CA 90602, on the terms and under the conditions speci¿ed in Probate Code sections 3401-3402, without bond. 

The Court sets an OSC Re: Distribution of Net Settlements on June 16, 2025, at 8:30 a.m., in Department 28 of the Spring Street Courthouse. 

The Court sets an OSC Re: Dismissal of Case (Settlement) on June 16, 2025, at 8:30 a.m., in Department 28 of the Spring Street Courthouse. 

Petitioner is ordered to give notice of this ruling. 

Petitioner is ordered to file the proof of service of this ruling with the Court within five days.