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 Jean A Gerlach
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 Date of Death: July 22, 2013
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 30 Year Veteran U. S. Air Force
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jeanagerlach.blogspot.com
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To Report Elder Fraud: Call 1-800-CALLFBI (225-5324) or online FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: www.ic3.gov
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Comments / Questions: dzeller31@gmail.com / Twitter: @ZellerDonna
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All research for this case completed by Court Appointed, Donna Zeller, Administrator with Full Authority, Will Annexed
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Former Executor, Irene Sherman, removed by the Court, 8/4/2015
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Documents, Evidence
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Timeline / DateWorksheet Tab LinksTimeline / Detail
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Months prior to death of Jean A Gerlach
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*Niece, Donna Zeller stayed in touch with Jean A Gerlach. During the last phone call, at the end
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of June 2013, Jean A Gerlach stated that she didn't have to return to the Doctor until November, 2013.
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*During the last several months prior to her death, Jean A Gerlach discussed the status of
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her Estate with niece, Donna Zeller.
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*During several phone calls, Jean A Gerlach did mention that she was allowing a friend to live
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with her; however, that friend was to find another place to live as quickly as possible.
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*During one phone call, someone came into the room and abruptly asked Jean A Gerlach
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who she was talking to. Jean A Gerlach was then told to hang up; it was time for dinner.
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2013
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7/22/2013Date of Death Jean A Gerlach; Family not notified until 7/25/2013 (after cremation) - Note
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timeline / date 8/22/15 for list of ATM withdrawals and checks cashed; began with the date of death.
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7/25/2013Notified via phone call that my aunt, Jean A Gerlach, died on 7/22/13. During this conversation,
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Irene Sherman requested permission to stay at the ranch to help with packing, etc. I agreed.
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I did not ask specifics of the Will; however, was told that I would have to sign a 'lot of papers'
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Aug / Sept 2013United States Office of Personnel Management Retirement Operations Center
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8/1/2013 Automatic Deposit $3005.05
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9/3/2013 Automatic Deposit $3005.05
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9/30/2013 Reversed 8/1 and 9/3 Deposits
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10/1/2013After numerous calls to Irene Sherman, the Will was entered into probate Placer County Superior Court. 
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(During this time, the family of Jean A Gerlach also told Irene Sherman that an attorney would be hired if Will was not entered into probate.)
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* This Will was signed within a few days of Jean A Gerlach's death. Note that Jean A Gerlach had macular degeneration;
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 her eyesight was impaired.
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 * "Within 30 days after a person dies, the person who has the decedent's will must file it with the
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 superior court of the county in which the decedent lived."
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 Date of Death: July, 2013; Date of Filing: October, 2013
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 Probate entered October; Letters Testamentary entered December (copies never received)**
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 Inventory / by Probate Court Referee Kevin Eckard
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 During the next several years, attempted to encourage Irene Sherman to sell the ranch and settle the estate.
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**Note: According to CA Codes (prob:8480-8488): 8480 (a) Except as otherwise provided by statute,
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every person appointed as personal representative shall, before letters are
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issued, give a bond approved by the court. (The bond is to cover any mismanagement / theft of funds)
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2014
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2/9/14Email message received from Irene Sherman: "I found another policy for you. It was for
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A credit union account. I'll mail that this week. I'm doing well....going to S.C. For
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my dad's 95th birthday."
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 Estate never received this policy.
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8/7/14Received email message from Irene Sherman stating the following: There is a
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 family interested in the house and offered $400,000. I've kinda been holding out for $450,000.
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They came back with $425,000. I've been told by a couple of realtors that $450,000 should be the minimum.
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I think this family may offer 450 but if it takes to long I just may go ahead and list it. The house needs some help and Richard,
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my friend, who did some work for Jean is going to check out some basic things,
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He's a general contractor and does everything from drywall to electrical.
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12/15/2014Item #1Contacted Legal Aid / Superior Court for assistance. Legal Aid recommended giving Irene Sherman
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60 days notice to vacate then proceed with eviction notice.
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2015
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1/26/2015Item #2
Agreement to retain the services of Attorney Pamela Jones. $1,500.00 retainer fee paid by Beneficiary, Donna Zeller. 
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Attorney Jones’ Fees: $11,203.04, transferred to her client trust account in October, are still there and are included .
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as part of the Property on Hand at the end of Account. Attorney Jones has not yet been paid and will not be paid until the Court
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authorizes her fees. She is requesting the statutory attorney's fees for the probate ($13,646.04)
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Beneficiary, Mary Lou Bartos, will be paid $400 for accounting services for Jean A Gerlach tax returns
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1/26/2015Item #3Letter to Executor, Irene Sherman, Demanding Accounting issued by Attorney Jones.
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2/27/2015Item #4Hand-written Letter from Irene Sherman to Attorney Jones responding to demand for accounting
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Note that checks referred to in this correspondence were never received
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4/21/2015Item #5Hearing: 1:30 pm: Petition for Order Compelling Executor to Account for Inventory
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Irene Sherman did not show up for the hearing Case #SPR 7035
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4/21/2015Item #6Notice of Entry of Order to Account…
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4/24/2015Item #7Letter to Executor demanding accounting
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Item #8Tax bill search reveals that Irene Sherman has not paid the property
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tax on 6235 Butler Road, Penryn, CA for 2013 and 2014
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5/20/2015Item #9
Email Message received from Irene Sherman promised to vacate the property by the end of June: "I apologize for making you fret. 
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The house will list on June 5th and will be vacated by the end of June. Price is $450,000. House and property has been kept up.
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 I will be in court on time tomorrow.ʺ
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5/21/2015Item #10Hearing Scheduled 8:00 am Irene Sherman did not show up for the hearing;
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Attorney Jones was told to leave without seeing the judge;
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Judge's decision was faxed to Attorney Jones' office; Petition Denied
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Memorandum in Support of Ex Parte Application for Order Removing Executor of Will;
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Evicting Executor from Real Property; and Appointing Successor Administrator of Estate
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6/16/2015Item #11Contacted Placer County District Attorney via Web site form; reply received
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6/18-6/19/2015Item #12Tentative Ex Parte Hearing Scheduled; Attorney Jones cancelled
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Irene Sherman did not produce accounting of inventory; has now ignored a court order
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6/19/2015Item #13Contacted Sheriff Department via e-mail; reply received from Sgt. Michael Lyke
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6/21/2015Item #14Phone call with Sheriff Department, Deputy Sheriff Douglas Bostian
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Responded to Deputy Sheriff Bostian's request for documentation via email messages
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over the next several days. Case #SO-15-6431
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6/23/2015Item #15Hearing 1:30 PM Petition for Removal of Executor of Will; Irene Sherman did not appear
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6/23/2015Estimated date: Irene Sherman retains Realtor Mark Perez, 4881 Granite Dr, Rocklin, CA 916-624-6150
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Realtor Perez places 6235 Butler Road, Penryn CA property on the market
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6/23/2015Item #16Ex Parte Application for Restraining Order
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Restraining Order Under Probate Code Section 10588 / 6235 Butler Rd, Penryn CA removed from the market
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7/5/2015Received email message from Irene Sherman Subject Line house
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I've not yet sold the house. But a very nice young couple has put an offer of $500,000.