Tennessee § 36-3-108 Forced marriage prohibited - Civil action

Tennessee Statutes

§ 36-3-108 — Forced marriage prohibited - Civil action

Tennessee § 36-3-108

Title36

This text of Tennessee § 36-3-108 (Forced marriage prohibited - Civil action) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Tennessee primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-108 (2026).

Text

(a)Marriage, at any age, that is entered into without valid, freely-given consent from both parties is contrary to the public policy of this state and shall be void and unenforceable in this state.

(b)A person who is forced, whether by violence, threats, or coercion, to marry another shall have a cause of action against any party who forced the person to marry. A claim under this section shall not be based on parental or familial guidance motivated by the person's best interest, which is expressed in a reasonable manner.

(c)Damages for a claim under this section shall include:

(1)Liquidated damages of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000);

(2)Reasonable attorneys' fees; and (3) Court costs.

(d)Upon a finding of forced marriage, the court shall order the marriage in question v

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(a) Marriage, at any age, that is entered into without valid, freely-given consent from both parties is contrary to the public policy of this state and shall be void and unenforceable in this state. (b) A person who is forced, whether by violence, threats, or coercion, to marry another shall have a cause of action against any party who forced the person to marry. A claim under this section shall not be based on parental or familial guidance motivated by the person's best interest, which is expressed in a reasonable manner. (c) Damages for a claim under this section shall include: (1) Liquidated damages of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000); (2) Reasonable attorneys' fees; and (3) Court costs. (d) Upon a finding of forced marriage, the court shall order the marriage in question void. (e) Notwithstanding § 28-3-104 , an action under this section must be commenced within ten (10) years after the cause of action accrues by solemnization of marriage.