Petition for Appointment of Guardian of the Person; Motion Declining Appointment and Request to be Relieved as Counsel
CASE NUMBER: 26PG-0033309 This matter is on calendar for further proceedings on a Petition for Appointment of Guardian of the Person filed by the minor’s uncle, Bryan Padua. This matter is also on calendar for hearing on a Petition for Appointment of Guardian of the Person filed by the minor’s stepmother and grandmother, Vita Vorobets and Svetlana Vorobets. Temporary Letters have not issued.
Padua Petition. The Court previously determined the matter to be properly noticed. The Court has reviewed the Court Investigator’s report filed on April 14, 2026, which recommends granting the Petition. The father, stepmother, and paternal grandmother have filed objections to Mr. Padua’s Petition.
Vorobets Petition. The Court dispenses with notice to the unknown paternal grandfather. Proof of service has been filed for the maternal grandparents and Bryan Padua. There is no valid proof of service of the Notice of Hearing and Petition on mother or father. The parents must be personally served in order to move forward on the Petition. Prob. Code § 1511(b). Alternatively, the above parties can sign a consent and waiver of notice (GC-211, section 4) in lieu of being served. The Court has reviewed the Court Investigator’s report filed on May 27, 2026, which recommends the Court deny the Petition.
This matter is also on calendar for confirmation of counsel and for hearing on a Motion Declining Appointment and Request to be Relieved as Counsel. The Public Defender was previously appointed as counsel for the minor; however, they have indicated they are declining appointment. The matter has 6
been properly noticed with proof of service on file. No objections have been raised. The Court accepts their declination of representation and appoints private counsel pursuant to Probate Code Section 1470.
The Court will inquire whether the child is or may be an Indian child. If Petitioners have reason to know that the child is an Indian child, they must make further inquiry to learn about the child’s Indian heritage. This matter is continued to Monday, July 20, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in Department 42 for further proceedings on the Petition filed by Brian Padua, the Petition filed by Vita and Svetlana Vorobets, and confirmation of counsel. Vita and Svetlana Vorobets are required to file and serve a new Notice of Hearing for the continued hearing date, along with a copy of the Petition, on the parties identified above.
In the alternative, if they cannot serve the parties identified, the Court will require a declaration explaining in detail all efforts to locate and serve them and why they cannot be served, to permit the Court to dispense with notice. Warning: Failure to properly effect service or provide adequate basis to dispense with service as to the necessary parties will result in denial of the Petition. Notice is preserved. No appearance is necessary on today’s calendar.
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