Judge: Teresa A. Beaudet, Case: 20STCV47819, Date: 2024-10-17 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 20STCV47819    Hearing Date: October 17, 2024    Dept: 50

 

 

Superior Court of California

County of Los Angeles

Department 50

 

NORMA CERVANTES HERNANDEZ, et al.

 

                        Plaintiffs,

            vs.

FOOTHILL VISTA APARTMENTS, L.P., et al.

 

                        Defendants.

Case No.:

  20STCV47819

Hearing Date:

October 17, 2024

Hearing Time:

10:00 a.m.

[TENTATIVE] ORDER RE: 

 

PETITION TO APPROVE MINOR’S COMPROMISE OF PENDING ACTION (2)

           

Background

            On December 15, 2020, Plaintiffs Norma Cervantes Hernandez; Joseph David Silva Cervantes, a minor, by and through his Guardian ad Litem, Norma Cervantes Hernandez; Edgar Reyes Espinoza; Marialuz Reyes Cervantes; and Dylan Reyes Cervantes, a minor, by and through his Guardian ad Litem, Marialuz Reyes Cervantes (collectively, “Plaintiffs”) filed this action against Defendants Foothill Vista Apartments, L.P. and Peter Wang. The Complaint alleges causes of action for (1) violation of Civil Code section 1942.4, (2) tortious breach of the warranty of habitability, (3) private nuisance, (4) Business and Professions Code section 17200, et seq., and (5) negligence. 

The parties have reached a settlement in this matter. Marialuz Reyes Cervantes as Petitioner for Claimant Dylan Reyes Cervantes and Norma Cervantes Hernandez as Petitioner for Joseph David Silva Cervantes (jointly, “Petitioners”) now petition for the Court’s approval of the settlement on behalf of both of the Claimants. 

 

            Discussion

An enforceable settlement of a minor’s claim can only be consummated with court approval. (Prob. Code, § 3500.) “A petition for court approval of a compromise of, or a covenant not to sue or enforce judgment, on a minor’s disputed claim; a compromise or settlement of a pending action or proceeding to which a minor or person with a disability is a party; or the disposition of the proceeds of a judgment for a minor or person with a disability under Probate Code sections 3500 and 3600-3613 or Code of Civil Procedure section 372 must be verified by the petitioner and must contain a full disclosure of all information that has any bearing upon the reasonableness of the compromise, covenant, settlement, or disposition. Except as provided in rule 7.950.5, the petition must be submitted on a completed Petition for Approval of Compromise of Claim or Action or Disposition of Proceeds of Judgment for Minor or Person With a Disability (form MC-350).” (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 7.950, emphasis in original.)  

Both of the petitions are prepared on form MC-350. The petition pertaining to Claimant Dylan Reyes Cervantes is verified by Petitioner Marialuz Reyes Cervantes. The petition pertaining to Claimant Joseph David Silva Cervantes is verified by Petitioner Norma Cervantes Hernandez. The Court finds that the settlement is reasonable.

            Conclusion

Based on the foregoing, the Court intends to grant the petitions and approve the compromise, subject to Plaintiffs’ examination of Petitioners at the hearing.¿¿ 

Petitioners are to give notice of this ruling.  

 

DATED:  October 17, 2024                           ________________________________

Hon. Teresa A. Beaudet

Judge, Los Angeles Superior Court