The LASC Probate Division is giving advance notice that it will amend the courtroom calendar sessions for probate matters due to the General Order of the Presiding Judge, which in part rescinds social distancing requirements in the courthouse.
Effective January 2, 2022, the Probate Clerk’s Office will schedule hearings at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 11:00 a.m.. The 8:30 a.m. calendar session will continue to be used for scheduling initial petitions and orders to show cause; guardianship petitions will be scheduled at 10:30 a.m.; and conservatorship petitions will be scheduled at 11:00 a.m.
Courtrooms will also have sessions available at 9:30 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. The 9:30 a.m. calendar will be available to judicial officers as a calendaring tool for matters which are contested, take more time to resolve, and for motions. Afternoon sessions will be reserved for evidentiary hearings, including trials. Judicial Officers will continue to have discretion to add settings to their department calendars as needed to maximize case management and overall efficiency in the courtrooms.
While these changes do not take effect until January 2022, Petitions filed with the Clerk’s Office in the coming months assigned a hearing date after January 2 will adhere to this scheduling criteria. This information is intended to provide advance information of the upcoming change planned at this time.
Please note that given the unprecedented pandemic that we are experiencing, this information is subject to change based on unforeseen circumstances. The Probate Division will remain compliant with any further General Orders issued by the Los Angeles Superior Court that may cause further adjustment to probate calendars.
While the calendar sessions will be changing, modifications made to the ex parte procedure at the start of the pandemic will remain in place. Specifically, the Court will continue to resolve noticed ex parte applications without the attendance of counsel or litigants at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse.
Rulings will continue to be made based solely upon timely filings, pursuant to the adopted local rules for filing of ex parte applications.
The entire General Order can be seen at 2021-GEN-023-00.
