Estate of Williams CA2/7

INTRODUCTION

Zacharie DeJohnette, the administrator of the estate of Toulonne Williams (the Estate), appeals from an order denying his petition for approval of a settlement agreement and for final distribution. DeJohnette, who is Toulonne’s son and a beneficiary of the Estate, sought an order distributing the Estate’s only asset, a house, to himself and a granddaughter of Toulonne’s, and omitting Toulonne’s surviving spouse (who died during the administration of the estate) from the distribution. We affirm.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

A. Toulonne Dies Intestate Toulonne died intestate in September 2018. She left three heirs: her husband, Linza Williams Jr.; her son, DeJohnette; and a granddaughter, Paulana-Viviana (the daughter of Toulonne’s predeceased son). Under the intestacy provisions of the Probate Code, Linza Jr., as Toulonne’s surviving spouse, was to receive one-third of the separate property of the Estate,1 as well as Toulonne’s share of the community property (in addition to his share). The probate court appointed DeJohnette administrator of the Estate. The Estate’s only asset is a house in Pasadena, which is encumbered by a deed of trust securing a…