arrow left
arrow right
  • PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST  vs.  ERNEST J. MCNABB, et al(26) Unlimited Other Real Property document preview
  • PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST  vs.  ERNEST J. MCNABB, et al(26) Unlimited Other Real Property document preview
  • PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST  vs.  ERNEST J. MCNABB, et al(26) Unlimited Other Real Property document preview
  • PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST  vs.  ERNEST J. MCNABB, et al(26) Unlimited Other Real Property document preview
  • PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST  vs.  ERNEST J. MCNABB, et al(26) Unlimited Other Real Property document preview
  • PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST  vs.  ERNEST J. MCNABB, et al(26) Unlimited Other Real Property document preview
  • PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST  vs.  ERNEST J. MCNABB, et al(26) Unlimited Other Real Property document preview
  • PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST  vs.  ERNEST J. MCNABB, et al(26) Unlimited Other Real Property document preview
						
                                

Preview

Cw ra nn ere ww RBRPEBBYPBSSCRSEWABEBEHTS 26 27 28 j Electronically GARY P. DAMBAGHER, ESQ. (SBN 92141) FILED FRANK L. RUSSELL (SBN 289335) by Superior Court of California, County of San Matec TIMOTHY T. TRUJILLO (SBN 198894 on 4/12/2021 DAMBACHER, TRUJILLO & RUSSELL, By___/s/ Marcela Enriquez A PROFESSIONAL LAW CORPORATION ape Same 32 N. WASHINGTON STREET SONORA, CALIF [A 95370 TELEPHONE: (209) 533-1883 FAX: (209) 533-3844 | Attorneys for Defendant, and Cross-Complainant, DAVID DUNCAN as Successor Trustee ofthe John and Grace Arata 2004 Trust SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SAN MATEO Case No. 20-CIV-02349 NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE AS A PARTY, CONSENT BY SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE AND CONTINUING REPRESENTATION BY ATTORNEYS PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. ) ) ) ) REDWOOD TRUST DEED SERVICES, INC., ) a California Corporation; ERNEST J. MCNABB, ) individually and as Trustee of the Ernest J. } McNabb Revocable Living Trust Dated ) 11/19/1990; LOUIS J. ARATA, individually; ) LAURA ARATA, individually, and as sole ) DATE: April 23, 2021 successor trustee of the John and Grace Arata =): “TIME: 9:00 a.m. 2004 Trust Executed August 11, 2004; ) DEPT. 28, Courtroom 2F MARIE JOANNE ARATA, as the ) JUDGE: TBA Representative of the Estate of Gary J. Arata, ) Deceased; and DOES 1-20, } ) _) ) 2 ) Defendants. AND RELATED CROSS-ACTION. Notice is hereby given that David Duncan is the successor trustee of the John and Grace Arata 2004 Trust dated August 11, 2004, having been appointed pursuant to that certain Stipulation and Order Appointing New Trustee, attached hereto and identified as Exhibit A. Additionally, under the terms of a| written Conflict Waiver executed by Louis Arata, Laura Arata, Marie Arata and David Duncan, the law Page 1 NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE AS A PARTY, CONSENT BY SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE AND CONTINUING REPRESENTATION BY ATTORNEYS.Ce NAH &® wD Boe ee ee ee RPRBBBEBSCReIABESESES 26 27 28 firm of Dambacher, Trujillo and Russell, a professional law corporation, will continue to represent the trustee of the John and Grace Arata 2004 Trust as a defendant and cross-complainant in the pending litigation. | Respectfully submitted, DAMBA R, FRUJELLO & RUSSELL, APC By: GARY P. DAMBACHER, Esq. CONSENT TO REPRESENTATION I consent to representation by the law firm of Dambacher, Trujillo & Russell, a professional law corporation in this matter. pact Gf pofap Daeg Pree ye Det esu~ peak. dey Res Page 2 NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE AS A PARTY, CONSENT BY SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE AND CONTINUING REPRESENTATION BY ATTORNEYS| Exhibit ACoO YN DAH BB YW NY RR NY NY YR NRK HN = BF ee we ee Be Be ont DN HW F&F Bw NH FH TY Ce DR DH FF BW YY KF CO Peter A Kim, Esq. (SBN 250470) FILED SAN MATEO COUNTY APR 0 8.2021 LAW OFFICE OF PETER A. KIM ~€lectronically 3440 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1208 Los Angeles, CA 90010 Phone Number: (213) 387-0800 Fax Number: (213) 387-0880 Clerk of ine Superior Court RECEIVED 0 ee 4/1/2021 11:07 AM CLERK OF THE SUPERIOR COURT SAN MATEO COUNTY Attorney for Beneficiary and Petitioner, Louis J. Arata SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE COUNTY OF SAN MATEO In the matter of JOHN AND GRACE ARATA 2004 TRUST LOUIS J. ARATA, Beneficiary of the John and Grace Arata 2004 Trust; Petitioner, vs. LAURA J. ARATA, individually and as Successor Trustee of the John and Grace Arata 2004 Trust; and Does 1 — 20, inclusive, Respondents. ) 2 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) -1- Case No.: 19-PRO-01586 STIPULATION AND ORDER APPOINTING NEW TRUSTEE [Probate Code Sections 17200 and 15602(b)] Stipulation And Order Appointing New Trustee —Ceo IN DW THIS STIPULATION is entered into, by and between, Laura J. Arata, trustee of the John and Grace Arata 2004 Trust (“Arata Trust”); Marie J. Arata, personal representative of the Estate of Gary J. Arata, Deceased; and Louis J. Arata, individually; (collectively “the Parties”), through their respective counsel, and the Parties hereby stipulate to and request the Court to accept the resignation of Laura J. Arata as trustee and appoint a new trustee as follows: 1. Laura J. Arata has resigned as the trustee of the Arata Trust and will immediately turnover all assets and records to the new trustee of the Arata Trust. (See: Exhibit A, Notice of Resignation of Trustee). 2. The sole beneficiaries of the Arata Trust are the Estate of Gary J. Arata and Louis J. Arata. 3. Marie J. Arata, the personal representative of the Estate of Gary J. Arata has consented to the resignation of Laura J. Arata as trustee of the Arata Trust and supports the nomination of David R. Duncan as the successor trustee. Additionally, the Estate of Gary J. Arata has waived the bond requirement for the appointment of David R. Duncan as trustee of the Arata Trust. (See: Exhibit B, Declaration of Marie J. Arata, personal representative of the Estate of Gary J. Arata). 4. Louis J. Arata has consented to the resignation of Laura J. Arata as trustee of the Arata Trust and reaffirmed his support for the nomination of David R. Duncan as the successor trustee. Additionally, Louis J. Arata has waived the bond requirement for the appointment of David R. Duncan as trustee of the Arata Trust. (See: See: Exhibit C, Declaration of Louis J. Arata). 5. David R. Duncan has accepted, subject to court approval, his nomination to serve as trustee of the Arata Trust. (See: Exhibit D, Declaration of David R. Duncan, { 9) 6. The Parties are requesting the Court to accept the resignation of Laura J. Arata as trustee and pursuant to Probate Code § 17200, appoint David R. Duncan as the new trustee of the Arata Trust; and pursuant to Probate Code § 15602 (b), excuse the requirement for a bond, -2- Stipulation And Order Appointing New Trusteev IT IS SO STIPULATED. Dated: March_25_, 2021 7 ih ~~ Peter Andrew Kim Attomey for Louis J. Arata Petitioner and Beneficiary Dated: March ZS, 2021 ° P. Dambacher Jambacher, Trujillo & Russell, A Professional Law Corporation Attorney for Laura J. Arata, trustee John and Grace Arata 2004 Trust; and Marie J. Arata as the personal representative of the Estate of Gary J. Arata ORDER Having reviewed the foregoing Stipulation, and good cause appearing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED: 1. The Court accepts the resignation of Laura J. Arata as trustee of the John and Grace Arata 2004 Trust and appoints David R. Duncan as sole successor trustee. 2. That Laura J Arata shall produce and surrender to David R. Duncan all records of account, including all trust bank account statements dating from March 2018 to the date of this Order. 3. That Laura J. Arata shall provide a list of all assets on hand, and surrender such assets, including but not limited to, cash and stocks to David R. Duncan. im (LBL Kea ‘JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT 23. ‘Stipulation And Order Appointing New TrusteeN om YN DAH F&F Ww 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Exhibit A -4- Stipulation And Order Appointing New TrusteeCem YN DH RFR BW DY Rw NN NY NY N NNN He ewe ewe ee ewe ewe ee eo QW AA KF BDH = SOC wH AAA RBH FS NOTICE OF RESIGNATION OF TRUSTEE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that I, Laura J. Arata, do hereby resign as Trustee of the John and Grace Arata 2004 Trust; effective upon the beneficiaries of the Trust, Louis J. Arata and Marie Arata, personal representative of the Estate of Gary J. Arata, consenting to my tesignation. I shall immediately turnover all assets and records of the Trust to the new trustee. Dated: March 25 __, 2021 : OES Laura J. Arata -5- Stipulation And Order Appointing New TrusteeSO mY DH BR BW NY YN NY NY YN NNN Be ee ewe we we Be Be eo W AA FBS =| SO we KN A A BBP Exhibit B “6+ Stipulation And Order Appointing New TrusteeMarie J, Arata, personal representative of the Estate of Gary J. Arata, deceased, a ‘beneficiary of the John and Grace Arata 2004 Trust (“Trust”), declares as follows: 1. Tconsent to the resignation of Laura J, Arata.as Trustee of the ‘Trust, 2. Purauant to California Probate Code Section 1$660(d), I heteby support the nomination of David R. Duucan to act as successor trustee of the Trust, 3,1 voluntatily waive the requirement for a bond under California Probate Code § 11 || 15602, for the appointment of David R. Duncan as trustee of the Trust; and respectfully 12 | request that the court excuse the requirement of a bond. I fully understand and saree that the 15 | assets of the Trust will not be protected by a bond during the administration of the Trust. 4, The undersigned deolares under the penalty of perjury under the laws of the State 16 |] of Washington that the foregoing is true and correct, , : 19 | Dated: March 23", 2021 Pain 4 Lia fas » Marie J Arua Peraoni resentative a Estate of Gary J. Atata, Deceased” ate ‘Stipuleilon And Order Appointing New Trusteo “dowd 66V9LEEGOS eqeiy uosen WY TY?60 TZ0Z'SZ°=BoOo YN DH FPF YN RP RNY NY YN KR NN He Be Be Be ee ee eI FAR OS FSSC AH AAR OR SS Exhibit C -8- Stipulation And Order Appointing New TrusteeoC Oo IN DH BF YW NY wR MY NNN NR KY KD HE HY ee ee ee eB eB ow A A BH |= SC HAA A BR Bw KH KH OD NT TO THE NATION OF TRUSTEE. RAJ. ARA’ AND NOMINATION OF DAVID R. DUNCAN AS. SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE Louis J. Arata, a beneficiary of the John and Grace Arata 2004 Trust (“Trust”), declares as follows: 1. I consent to the resignation of Laura J, Arata as Trustee of the Trust. 2. Pursuant to Probate Code Section 15660(d), I have nominated David R. Duncan to act as successor trustee of the Trust for the reasons set forth in my declaration titled, “Beneficiary, Louis J. Arata’s Nomination of Temporary and/or Successor Trustee” filed endorsed on November 17, 2020 and in the supporting declarations of David R. Duncan filed endorsed on November 17, 2020 and January 5, 2021. 3. I voluntarily waive the requirement for a bond under Probate Code § 15602, for the appointment of David R. Duncan as trustee of the Trust; and respectfully request that the court excuse the requirement of a bond. I fully understand and agree that the assets of the Trust will not be protected by a bond during the administration of the Trust. 4, The undersigned declares under the penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct. Dated: March 24, 2021 Fes | Ox Louis J. Arata Petitioner and Beneficiary -6- Stipulation And Order Appointing New TrusteeBR won Co Oo yr DW 10 1 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Exhibit D -10- Stipulation And Order Appointing New TrusteeoD Om IN DH wR wD Ww bw NR YY YR NY NR NY DY Se Se Be Se eB eB eB ese SB 2 Ian FB YW YH FS SGD MIA DA ROH = Peter A Kim, Esq. (SBN 250470) LAW OFFICE OF PETER A. KIM 3440 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1208 Los Angeles, CA 90010 Phone Number: (213) 387-0800 Fax Number: (213) 387-0880 Attorney for Petitioner, Louis J. Arata Electronically by Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo on. 11/17/2020 3:11 PM By. is{ Janet T, Rey Deputy Clerk SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE COUNTY OF SAN MATEO In the matter of JOHN AND GRACE: ARATA 2004 TRUST LOUIS J. ARATA, Beneficiary of the John and Grace Arata 2004 Trust; Petitioner, vs. LAURA J. ARATA, individually and as Successor Trustee of the John and Grace Arata 2004 Trust; and Does 1 — 20, inclusive, Respondeits. ) 2 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) 2 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) -l- Case No.: 19-PRO-01586 DECLARATION OF DAVID R. DUNCAN IN SUPPORT OF BENEFICIARY, LOUIS J, ARATA’S NOMINATION IN THE ALTERNATIVE OF TEMPORARY AND/OR SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE [Probate Code Section 15660(d)] [Filed concurrently with Beneficiary, Louis J. Arata’s Nomination Of Temporary And/Or Successor Trustee and Petitioner’s Verified Supplemental Brief] DATE; December 17, 2020 TIME: 9:00 AM DEPT: 28 (Probate) Supplemental Declaration of David R. Duncan in Support of Beneficiary, Louis J. Arata’s Nomination in the AlternativeDECLARATION OF DAVID R. DUNCAN I, David R. Duncan, declare and state as follows: 1. The facts stated in this Declaration are true and correct of my own personal knowledge, except for those matters expressly stated on information and belief, which miatters that I believe to be true. If called as a witness, I could and would competently testify thereto. CK ND FAMILY AND THE A A 2. During the late 1960s and 1970s, my parents would make large bulk purchases of pumpkins from John and Clarence Arata, the owners of the Arata Ranch with their Tespective wives, Grace and Lillian. During the summer of 1972,] started working for John and Clarence at the Arata Ranch and continued working each summer until 1977. While working at the Arata.Ranch, I resided at the farmhouse of John and Grace Arata. 3, During this time, I developed aclose friendship with the children of John and Grace; that is, Gary J. Arata and his brother of Louis J. Arata; as well,as other members of the extended Arata family. Additionally, I also acquired a deep knowledge of the Arata Ranch property and.am very familiar with its history, topography and the approved building sites. Most recently, in September _ 2020, with the permission of Louis J. Arata, I visited the Arata Ranch and explored much of the || property. 4, [have read the POST- Conservation Easement and am familiar with its terms and conditions and understand how it impacts the sale of the Arata Ranch and any future development. Also, I have read the Settlement Agreement in Arata v. Arata, Case No. C1V53 1627 in the San Mateo County Superior Court, that governs the sale of the Arata Ranch; and I am fully aware of its requirements for the sale of the Arata Ranch, [eae Supplemental Declaration of David R. Duncan in Support of Beneficiary, Louis J. Arata’s Nomination in the AlternativeEDUCATION 5. In 1980, I attended De Anza Community College and in 1986 I received from the University of Southern California a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with an emphasis in real estate finance, BUSINESS EXPERIENCE 6. In 1987, I started my business Big Top Rentals in a one car garage in Anaheim, to manufacture and supply tents and canopies for large scale corporate and public events. Since then we have evolved into the largest tent and canopy special event company in Southern California, and we also service Las Vegas too. Our tents are as large as 100’ X 800’ and we also provide ancillary equipment and support services. Our long-time clients include, but are not limited to Verizon, Mercedes Benz, American Cancer Society, Susan G. Kormen Race for the Cure, Kaiser Permanente, AMC Theatres, CBS, Disney, Carl’s Jr., 24 Hour Fitness and many more established companies and organizations. On September 7, 2020, CBS News did a news story that referenced my company and how during the pandemic we have found a new market for tents serving schools, churches, restaurants and hospitals. Attached as Exhibit A is a true and correct copy of a printout of the CBS News article, which is publicly available on the website of CBS at: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tent-rentals-weddings-schools-coronavirus-pandemic/ . EAL ESTATE ERTENCE 7. 1 own eight properties, including three commercial/industrial properties, three residential. | properties and a wedding venue. I have significant experience in managing and maintaining these properties and fully understand the intricacies of complex real property transactions. ER, RMATI 8. Lam long-time resident of Yorba Linda, California, am. married and have two children. -3- Supplemental Declaration of David R. Duncan in Support of Beneficiary, Louis J. Arata’s Nomination in the AlternativeaI aA WR Ww Oo TRUSTEE OF THE ARATA TRUST 9. if I am appointed trustee of the Jolin and Grace Arata 2004 Trust (“Arata Trust”), I will accept this appointment. I am committed to selling the Arata Ranch and to liquidate all trust assets at the highest possible value for the beneficiaries and at the earliest date possible. Further, I will faithfully follow the Ictter.and intent of the Arata-Trast instrument, and to.administer the trust with absolute professionalism. and impartiality. I have no financial interest, of any nature whatsoever, in and to the properties or assets of the Arata Trust nor will I in the future, And I have absolutely no || conflicts of interests with the Arata Trust.and its interests, 10. I declare under the. penalty of perjury under the laws.of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct and that this Declaration was executed on October Q t 2020, at, 7 Anaheim, California. David. R. Duncan -4- : Supplemental Declaration of David R. Duncan in Support of Beneficiary, Louis J. Arata’s Nomination in the Alternative |Exhibit AIt's the must-have item for many schools around the U.S. as they welcome students back this fall amid the coronavirus: tents. David Duncan, owner of Big Top Rentals, said the Anaheim, California, company is "turning people away because.we havé no canopies in stock" as schools scramble for ways to-enable proper social distancing. That's helping offset the hit to his business earlier this year as marriage parties, event planners and other customers cancelled because of the widening - pandemic. "In the beginning, everything was dead ~ every time the phone rang, it was a cancellation because we normally do larger events, like the Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine festival, and Orange International Street Fair in Orange County," he said.Nearly 100,000 U.S. children had tested positive for the coronavirus in the last two weeks of July, the American Academy of Pediatrics found last month. To mitigate those risks, mariy schools are experimenting with outdoor classrooms and dining halls in an effort to safely resume in-person learning. Big Top rented more than a dozen tents, some as large as 40 x 100 feet and costing up to $4,500 per month, to the Fullerton, California, school district. The tents will be used as a staging area for temperature checks:on students before they enter school buildings, as well as to.create outdoor learning and recreational areas. Nearby Cerritos College in Norwalk, California, also rented 50 x 80-foot tents to hold classes. "We have never done these kinds of ténts for schools before," said Duncan, noting that the company is also renting more to restaurants, churches and hospitals.Jim Mariano, who owns Backyard Tent Rental near Boston, Massachusetts, panicked in April when sales plummeted. Then schools, both public and private, started calling in droves. Coronavirus: The Race To Respond > FDA's new Trump calls on Live updates: Whistleblower vaccine Congress to White House Rick Bright guidance that pass COVID doctor says resigns from pushes rellef after Trump reports federal approval past calling off "no symptoms” government election negotiations "We have seen a massive uptick in business from school systemis in my area," he said. "I got inquiries from.20- plus school systems asking for anywhere from two to 20 small- to medium-size tents. They were all looking to go long-term for as long as weather will permit.""I went from complete full despair and panic to having the best year I have had in 13 years,” Mariano said. “Lwent from complete full despair and -panic fa having the best year | have had in 13 years,Jim Mariano, owner of Backyard Tent Rental in Massachusetts, said of surging schoo} deniand for tents. COURTESY OF Ji MARIANOTent makers also report seeing rising demand, particularly from schools. Anchor, one of the largest tent manufacturers in the country, has sold $14 million worth of tents since June, according to Justin Riat, vice president of sales. That includes a $1 million. order for roughly 50 tents from a Jewish school system in New York that plans to hold all of its classes outdoors this fall, Mariano estimated that about 80% of the company's orders have come from schools, with restaurants mostly accounting for the remaining spike in sales. "Never before were schools on our radar at all," he said. First published on September 7, 2020 / 12:51 PM © 2020 CBS Interactive Inc., All Rights Reserved,Cow dN DW BF WN bh NNN NR Fe Be Be Be se se Be Se BON =F SOC WMH DAH FF WN KF OS 25 26 27 28 PROOF OF SERVICE Peninsula Open Space Trust v. Redwood Trust Deed Services, et al. ‘San Mateo County Superior Court, No. 20-ClV-02349 | |, Tricia Lenox, hereby declare: | am employed in the County of Tuolumne; my business address is 32 N. Washington Street, Sonora, California 95370. | am over the age of 18 years and not a part to the foregoing action. On April 12, 2021, | served the foregoing NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE AS A PARTY, CONSENT BY SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE AND CONTINUING REPRESENTATION BY ATTORNEYS: | [© by first class mail on each of the parties as set forth below, in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure §1013(a), by placing a true copy thereof enclosed in a sealed envelope, with postage fully prepaid, in a designated area for outgoing mail. In the ordinary course of business at Dambacher, Trujillo & Russell, mail placed in that designated area is given the correct amount of postage and is deposited that same day in a United States mailbox in Sonora, California. CO by fax transmission on today's date on each of the parties as set forth below, in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure §1005(c).' No errors were reported by the fax machine that | used. [1 by electronic service on today’s date to the e-mail addresses of the parties as set forth below. | Parties served: For Plaintiff: | For Defendant Redwood Trust Deed Services: Tamara S. Galanter, Esq. Benjamin R. Levinson, Esq. Sara A. Clark, Esq. Law Office of Benjamin R. Levinson Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger 46 N. Second Street, Suite A 396 Hayes Street Campbell, California 95008 San Francisco, California 94102 Facsimile: (408) 866-2992 Facsimile: (415) 552-5816 Email: ben@benlevinsonlaw.com Email: galanter@smwlaw.com Email: clark@smwlaw.com For Defendant Ernest J. McNabb: For Cross-Defendants Maier and Hillcrest: Andrew J. Wiegel, Esq. William W. Hatcher, Jr., Esq. G. Ryan Patrick, Esq. Law Offices of William W. Hatcher Wiegel Law Group 114 Pierce Street 414 Gough Street, Suite 1 Santa Rosa, California 95404 San Francisco, California 94102 Facsimile: (707) 545-0220 Facsimile: none available Email: whatcher@sonic.net Email: andrew@wiegellawgroup.com Email:_ rvan@wieaellawaroup.com | declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct, and that this document was executed on April 12, 2021, in Sonora, California. TRICIA LENOX