Opinion ID: 466517
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Failure to Join an Indispensable Party

Text: 30 The Allustiartes contend that their spouses should have been joined as indispensable parties regarding the Storm property claim. The deed was conveyed to: 31 Gregory Allustiarte, a married man, dealing with his sole and separate property ... Benjamin A. Allustiarte, a single man; and Marianne Allustiarte, a single woman.... 32 The land is located in California. Thus, California law controls. Oregon ex rel. State Land Board v. Corvalis Sand & Gravel Co., 429 U.S. 363, 378-79, 97 S.Ct. 582, 590-91, 50 L.Ed.2d 550 (1977). In California, property acquired before marriage is separate property. Cal.Civ.Code Secs. 5106 & 5107 (West 1983). Benjamin, Jr. and Marianne were not married at the time of the alleged conveyance. The evidence is uncontradicted that any interest in the Storm property held by Benjamin Allustiarte, Jr. and his sister Marianne was their separate property. Thus, there was no duty to join their spouses concerning the Storm property claim. 33 Gregory Allustiarte was married at the time of the alleged conveyance of the Storm property. While there is a rebuttable presumption that property acquired during marriage is community property, In re Marriage of Mix, 14 Cal.3d 604, 611, 122 Cal.Rptr. 79, 536 P.2d 479 (1975); accord See v. See, 64 Cal.2d 778, 783, 51 Cal.Rptr. 888, 415 P.2d 776 (1966); In re Marriage of Aufmuth, 89 Cal.App.3d 446, 455, 152 Cal.Rptr. 668 (1979), there is a stronger rebuttable presumption that the terms of a conveyance accurately state the ownership interests. In re Marriage of Lucas, 27 Cal.3d 808, 814-15, 166 Cal.Rptr. 853, 614 P.2d 285 (1980). Since the conveyance specifically gives title to Gregory as separate property, and no evidence has been offered to rebut this presumption, Gregory's wife does not have an interest in the Storm property. Therefore, she was not an indispensable party regarding the Storm property claim.