Opinion ID: 2629314
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Burden of proof: fraud

Text: In determining that Gilbert was entitled to an annulment on the basis of fraud under NRS 125.340(1), the district court never stated the evidentiary burden of proof that Gilbert was required to satisfy. Beatriz argues that Gilbert was required to prove fraud by clear and convincing evidence and failed to meet that burden. We agree. NRS 125.340(1) provides that, [i]f the consent of either party was obtained by fraud and fraud has been proved, the marriage shall be void from the time its nullity shall be declared by a court of competent authority. (Emphasis added.) The level of proof required to establish fraud for an annulment under NRS 125.340(1) is an issue of first impression. Because the interpretation of a statute is a question of law, the proper standard of review is de novo. [1] This court follows the plain meaning of a statute absent an ambiguity. [2] Whether a statute is deemed ambiguous depends upon whether the statute's language is susceptible to two or more reasonable interpretations. [3] When a statute is ambiguous, we look to the Legislature's intent in interpreting the statute. [4] Legislative intent may be deduced by reason and public policy. [5] NRS 125.340(1) is ambiguous because the language and fraud has been proved is susceptible to two or more reasonable interpretations concerning the burden of proof required to prove fraud. One reasonable interpretation is that fraud must be proved by clear and convincing evidence as in a traditional tort cause of action for fraud. [6] However, another reasonable interpretation is that fraud can be established by a preponderance of the evidence, the general civil standard. [7] The legislative history of NRS 125.340(1) is silent with respect to the burden of proof necessary to show fraud. In determining legislative intent, reason and public policy support the conclusion that fraud must be proved by clear and convincing evidence to obtain an annulment. This court already requires clear and satisfactory evidence from a party seeking an annulment for want of understanding due to intoxication. [8] Similarly, this court requires clear and convincing evidence to prove the tort of fraud. [9] Moreover, [i]n Nevada, throughout the United States, and in those parts of the world having their roots in the English Common Law, there is a strong public policy favoring marriage. [10] Because of the public policy in favor of marriage, courts will generally not annul a marriage absent clear and convincing evidence. [11] Thus, we conclude that public policy in favor of marriage and against annulment, and the burden of proof established by this court in other annulment proceedings, compels a clear and convincing burden in annulments based on fraud. This court reviews annulment proceedings for an abuse of discretion. [12] Thus, a district court's decision to grant an annulment will not be disturbed on appeal if it is supported by substantial evidence. [13] Substantial evidence is that which a sensible person may accept as adequate to sustain a judgment. [14] No substantial evidence supports a finding of fraud by clear and convincing evidence in this case. At trial, Beatriz testified that she was pregnant with Gilbert's child in 1996 but that she had a miscarriage shortly after conception. Beatriz also testified that she is capable of conceiving a child but that it likely proved difficult because of her age at the time (forty-two). Gilbert testified that even if Beatriz was infertile, he still would have married her. Moreover, Gilbert testified that Beatriz never told him that she could not conceive a child, and that he does not know whether or not she can. Lastly, Gilbert testified that having a child with Beatriz was not his primary reason for marrying her and that he was unsure whether he specifically requested a child from Beatriz in any of the letters exchanged between the parties. Gilbert failed to provide any evidence that Beatriz knew, before marriage, that she could not bear children. Both parties acknowledge that during their brief marriage they had regular unprotected sexual intercourse in attempt to conceive a child. Despite the district court's finding that it did not hear any normal reasons why the parties separated, Beatriz testified that she was unhappy in the marriage because Gilbert was insensitive to the difficulties she experienced in adjusting to the cultural differences between the Philippines and the United States. Finally, Beatriz testified that she moved out, at least in part, because Gilbert was afraid that her tuberculosis was contagious. Based on the lack of substantial evidence to support a finding of fraud, we conclude that the district court abused its discretion in ordering a decree of annulment on the grounds of fraud.