Sierra

I. BACKGROUND

We summarize the convoluted factual history of this litigation for context and in an attempt to identify what is at issue. We do so with some difficulty because Sierra cites to virtually nothing in the record other than his own trial court pleadings (without

1 identifying where in the record they may be located), and he attempts to present questions that either are not appealable or were never raised below. Sierra’s Pleadings The genesis of the present litigation appears to be a June 2008 complaint filed by Sierra (case No. CGC-08-476613)1 against Respondents and against Steven Kremer as the administrator of the estate of Vivian Barrett. The gist of the complaint was that Sierra had served as a personal and financial assistant to Barrett, and that she had promised to leave him at least $2 million in municipal bonds upon her death in consideration of his services.2 In December 2008, Sierra, represented by counsel, entered into the Settlement resolving the litigation in consideration of payment of $58,000 “in full and final satisfaction and discharge of all of Sierra’s claims, known or unknown . . . .” The Settlement included a release of Respondents “from and…