Tennessee Marriage Laws | § 36-3-108

Tennessee Code 36-3-108

Forced marriage prohibited — Civil action.

(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.

Acts 2018, ch. 1049, § 8.

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More Tennessee Marriage Laws

§ 36-3-301 Persons who may solemnize marriages.
§ 36-3-303 Return of license to clerk — Penalty for failure to return — Society of Friends.
§ 36-3-103 License required — County of issuance.
§ 36-3-102 Second marriage before dissolution of first prohibited — Effect of absence for five years.
§ 36-3-101 Prohibited degrees of relationship.
§ 36-3-105 Minimum age of applicant for license.
§ 36-3-109 Issuance of license to drunks, insane persons or imbeciles forbidden.
§ 36-3-110 Contest of issuance.
§ 36-3-111 County clerk violating law — Penalty.
§ 36-3-112 Fraudulently signing or using false documents — Misdemeanor.
§ 36-3-304 Form of certificate.
§ 36-3-305 Solemnizing marriage between incapable persons — Misdemeanor.
§ 36-3-306 Marriage consummated by ceremony not invalidated by failure to comply with law — Restriction.
§ 36-3-307 Nickname in license does not invalidate marriage.
§ 36-3-308 Marriages during War Between the States validated.
§ 36-3-302 Formula not required.
§ 36-3-106 Consent of parent, guardian, next of kin, agency or custodian — “Parent” defined.
§ Tenn. Const. art. XI, § 18. Marriage.
§ 36-3-104 Conditions precedent to issuance of license.
§ 36-3-113 Marriage between one man and one woman only legally recognized marital contract. [See Compiler's Note.]
§ 36-3-108 Forced marriage prohibited — Civil action.