Judge: Robert B. Broadbelt, Case: 20STCV23621, Date: 2025-04-23 Tentative Ruling

Tentative rulings are sometimes, but not always, posted. The purpose of posting a tentative ruling is to to help focus the argument. The posting of a tentative ruling is not an invitation for the filing of additional papers shortly before the hearing.

Case Number: 20STCV23621    Hearing Date: April 23, 2025    Dept: 53

Superior Court of California

County of Los Angeles – Central District

Department 53

MOVING PARTY:                 Plaintiff and petitioner Nicolitsa Pitsos        

RESPONDING PARTY:       Unopposed

Petition for Approval of Compromise of Claim for Minor Claimant Demetrios Pitsos

The court considered the moving papers filed in connection with this petition.  No opposition papers were filed.  

DISCUSSION

Petitioner Nicolitsa Pitsos (“Petiitoner”) seeks court approval of the settlement made on behalf of plaintiff and minor claimant Demetrios Pitsos (“Minor Claimant”) in this action. 

The compromise of a minor’s disputed claim for damages is valid only after it has been approved, upon the filing of a petition, by the court.¿ (Prob. Code, § 3500.)¿ The petition must be verified by the petitioner, must contain a full disclosure of all information that has any bearing upon the reasonableness of the compromise, and must be prepared on Judicial Council form MC-350.¿ (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 7.950.)¿¿¿¿ 

Defendant Rosa Y. Jou (“Defendant”) has agreed to pay a total of $100,000 to settle this action, of which $5,000 is allocated to Minor Claimant.  (MC-350, ¶¶ 10-11.)  Of the $5,000 allocated to Minor Claimant, no amount will be paid for outstanding medical fees, attorney’s fees, or litigation expenses.  (MC-350, ¶¶ 12-13.)  The total $5,000 settlement will be delivered to Petitioner (Minor Claimant’s mother), who will deposit the funds into Minor Claimant’s existing bank account, which is held in trust by Petitioner, without bond, on the terms and under the conditions specified in Probate Code sections 3401-3402.  (MC-350, ¶¶ 16, 18, subd. (b)(5); MC-350, Attachment 18b(5).)

The court has reviewed the petition and finds the settlement to be fair and reasonable, and in the best interest of Minor Claimant.  The court therefore grants Petitioner’s petition.

ORDER

            The court grants petitioner Nicolitsa Pitsos’ petition for approval of the compromise of claim for minor claimant Demetrios Pitsos.

            The court orders that the $5,000 settlement on behalf of minor claimant Demetrios Pitsos may be paid to plaintiff and petitioner Nicolitsa Pitsos pursuant to Probate Code sections 3401 and 3402.  

            The court orders plaintiff and petitioner Nicolitsa Pitsos to give notice of this ruling.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED:  April 23, 2025

_____________________________

Robert B. Broadbelt III

Judge of the Superior Court