Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

165 Cal. App. 4th 751

Ramirez v. Llamas

California Court of Appeal

Decided July 30, 2008

California Court of Appeal · decided 2008-07-30

Cited by 4 later decisions — most recently June 2013

4 state decisions

Relies on Schaub v. Schaub

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 2008-07-30

View the full empirical analysis of this case →

GAUT, J., Concurring.

¶1I concur with the portion of the decision relating to the nullity of the 1999 marriage. However, regarding the nullity of the 2001 marriage, I dissent. I would reverse the judgment annulling the marriage and direct the entry of a judgment of dissolution of marriage.

¶2The majority holds that infidelity alone, disdainful as it may be, may serve as a basis for annulment on the ground of fraud, relying upon the case of Schaub v. Schaub (1945) 71 Cal.App.2d 467 [162 P.2d 966]. That case involved a plot by a woman and her longtime lover to cheat an unsuspecting older gentleman out of a half-interest in his real property, while the wife maintained illicit extramarital relations with her lover.

¶3In the 63 years since the Schaubcase was decided, it has never been cited, until today, for the proposition that the infidelity of a spouse, without more, constitutes a fraud which justifies an annulment. Today’s decision could have unintended repercussions in family law practice, leading to unnecessary litigation over title to property acquired by spouses during marriage which may not be considered community property if the marriage is deemed a nullity.

¶4*760I would reverse the judgment of nullity of marriage and order the entry of a judgment of dissolution of marriage. Annulment should be the exception, not the rule.

/165/calapp4th/751 · .json · Public domain