Reference no: EM133255894

Assume all of the following events took place in California unless otherwise stated. Answer according to California law.

Susan and Roger met and fell in love in 2014. Unbeknownst to Susan, Roger was legally married to Nicole, from whom he had separated eight years earlier. In February of 2015, while on a ski trip, Roger and Susan participated in a spontaneous marriage ceremony in a wedding chapel in Reno, Nevada. Because Roger was legally married to Nicole, the marriage between Roger and Susan was not valid.

After Roger and Susan returned from Reno, they began living together in Bright Acre, a home inherited by Roger in 2012. Susan asked Roger to add her name to the title for Bright Acre. She told Roger she wanted to have the house if Roger died before her. Roger refused. In 2016, Susan presented Roger with a grant deed from Roger to Roger and Susan as joint tenants with rights of survivorship. Susan told Roger the marriage was over if he wasn't willing to sign the deed. Roger signed the deed, and Susan had it recorded.

In May of 2020, Roger was laid off from his job, and the relationship deteriorated. On December 31, 2021, Roger and Susan had a terrible argument. On January 1, 2022, Susan told Roger she was done trying to make the marriage work and she wanted a divorce. In February of 2022, Roger filed a petition for annulment, claiming Bright Acre as his sole and separate property, and Susan learned for the first time that her marriage to Roger was not valid.

In the annulment proceeding, What arguments can Roger and Susan make regarding Bright Acre, and how is the court likely to rule?