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The Legal Status of Women
in the
United States of America
REPORT FOR
TENNESSEE
as of January 1, 1960
I
1
Women’s BureauiBulletin
157-41 (Revised)
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
James P. Mitchell, Secretary
WOMEN’S BUREAU
Mrs. Alice K. Leopold, Director
The report for Tennessee was prepared by Laura H. Dale, with
the assistance of Mary Z. Bastian, under the general direction
of Alice A. Morrison of the Division of Women’s Labor Law
and Civil and Political Status of the Women’s Bureau, United
States Department of Labor.
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON : 1960
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington 25, D.C. - Price 10 cents
331H-
Contents
Introduction__________________________________
_
Civil rights
_
Contracts and property___________________________________
1. Age of majority _
2. Contractual powers of a minor_______________________
3. Property exemptions from seizure for debt__________________
A. Respective rights of man and woman__________________
B. Homesteads
4. Ownership and control of property owned at marriage_________
5. Contractual powers of a married woman____________________
6. Earnings of a married woman
7. Liability for family support
8. Right of a married woman to engage in a separate business_____
9. Rights of a married woman with respect to separate property___
10. Property acquired by joint efforts of husband and wife....... .........
11. Damages for injury to person, property, or character....................
12. Damages for injury by spouse to person or property__________
13. Competency of husband or wife to testify for or against each other.
14. Right to dispose of separate property by will________________
15. Inheritance rights in deceased spouse’s estate________________
16. Provision for survivors during administration of estate............. .
17. Right of husband or wife to disinherit the other by will..............
Marriage and divorce
18. Age of consent to marriage
11
19. Common-law marriage_____________________________
20. Premarital requirements
21. Interstate cooperation in marriage-law enforcement___________
22. Annulment _
23. Divorce_______________________________________
Parents and children
24. Parents’ right to services and earnings of a minor child________
25. Guardianship of a minor child
14;
26. Appointment of testamentary guardian for a minor child_______
27. Inheritance—-child
14
28. Child born out of wedlock _
29. Inheritance—child born out of wedlock
15
Political rights_____________________________________
_
30. Domicile of a married woman
15
31. Public office—eligibility of women
16
32. Jury service—eligibility of women
16
ni
534954—60
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The Legal Status of Women in the
United States of America
Introduction
Any conclusion bearing on woman’s status under the laws of the
United States of America must take into account the common law, on
which the fabric of the Nation’s jurisprudence is woven.
The common-law rules of property sprang from various causes,
notably tradition, military or economic exigency, and “natural male
dominance.” Economic and social advances in the position of women
in the United States have brought about marked changes in the laws
governing property and family rights and political status.
In general, it has been the rule that where specific statutes abroga
ting common-law principles have not been enacted, the common law
applies. In the century just past, many of the old common-law
injustices to women have been removed by statute.
The material considered centers largely around the woman in the
marriage relation, since the legal status of the unmarried woman is
practically identical with that of the unmarried man.
The United States Summary of the Legal Status of Women in
the United States of America, Bulletin 157, has been brought up to
date as of January 1, 1953. Information in the Summary is compiled
from the reports for 48 States and the District of Columbia. Sep
arate reports are available for Alaska and Hawaii. Material for these
States will be incorporated in the Summary when it is revised.
l
Sources
Constitution of Tennessee
Tennessee Code, Annotated 1956
Tennessee Reports
Tennessee Appeals Reports
Tennessee Civil Appeals Reports
Southwestern Reporter
Explanatory Note
This pamphlet, Bulletin 157-41, presents a digest of the constitution
and statutory provisions affecting the legal status of women in the
State of Tennessee. It includes pertinent statutory changes enacted
in that State up to January 1,1960, and supersedes the previous report
and addendum for Tennessee.
References to the State constitution are indicated by parenthetical
insertions of article and section numbers following the abbreviation
“Const.,” as (Const., art. 2, sec. 17), placed after the related sub
ject matter.
References to the code sections are likewise in parentheses, as
(sec. 23-1201).
Case citations definitely construing statutes or declaring judicial
policy in the absence of express statutory provision are indicated by
footnote references.
Numbered subject headings are the same as those used in the Sum
mary. Cross references employ these numbers for brevity, as “See
number 6,” which refers to the subject heading “Earnings of a married
woman.”
2
TENNESSEE
CIVIL RIGHTS
Contracts and Property
1. Age of majority
The age of majority is 21 years for both sexes, as at common law.
A minor between the ages of 18 and 21 years may petition the court
and, upon sufficient cause shown, may be emancipated from minority
disabilities, either for a specific act or for the general conduct of his ot
her affairs (secs. 23-1201-—23-1205).
The marriage of a female minor does not terminate her guardian
ship as to her property.1
2. Contractual powers of a minor
The general rule is followed that the contract of a minor is voidable
and may be repudiated either before or after attaining majority, ex
cept in cases where the minor has fraudulently misrepresented his
age.2
If necessaries are sold and delivered to a minor he must pay a
reasonable price therefor. Necessaries are defined as goods suitable
to the condition in life of the minor and to his actual requirements
at the time of delivery (sec. 47-1202).
The disability of minority of minor veterans of the Armed Forces
and their spouses has been removed for purposes of benefits and trans
actions arising under the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act (sec.
7-1003).
(See number 14 for power to make a valid will.)
3. Property exemptions from seizure for debt
A. Respective Rights of Man and Woman
Personal property up to a total value of $450 is exempt to the head
of a family who is a citizen and permanent resident of the State.
“Head of a family” includes the mother when the father is dead or
has deserted his family. On dissolution of a marriage, the property
1 Mayo v. Bank of Gleason (1918), 140 Tenn. 423; 205 S.W. 125.
‘Tuck v. Payne (1929), 159 Tenn. 192; 17 S.W. (2d) 8.
3
4
THE LEGAL STATUS OF WOMEN
exempt to the husband under this provision is exempt to the wife
until she remarries. Enumerated articles which are exempt include:
(a) Specified furniture; (b) household furnishings; (c) books; (d)
provisions; (e) livestock; (/) tools; (</) office and professional equip
ment (sec. 26-201).
The following articles are allowed to every debtor exempt from
execution: (a) All necessary wearing apparel for use of himself and
family; (b) storage containers for such clothing; (c) family portraits
and pictures; (d) family Bible and school books (sec. 26-203).
If the head of the family is engaged in agriculture, additional
specified livestock and farm equipment is exempt from execution
(sec. 26-202).
An exemption is allowed to each mechanic in the State, engaged
in his trade or occupation, of one set of tools necessary for such work
(sec. 26-204).
One gun is exempted to every male citizen 18 years of age or over
and to every female who is the head of a family, and one sewing
machine for every woman who uses it to obtain a livelihood (sec. 26
205). Also exempt from execution are State pensions (sec. 26-206).
Exemptions of personal property are set apart for the wife and
family of a debtor who absconds or leaves them. These continue to
the widow and children of a deceased debtor (sec. 26-212).
An exemption of $60 per month of wages, salary, or income, or of
the entire income if it is less than $60 per month, is provided for every
person who is the head of a family and a resident of the State. This
exemption cannot be waived by the debtor (sec. 26-207).
In addition, there is exempt to the head of the family $5 per month
for each of his dependent children under 16 years of age, residing
in the State (sec. 26-208).
A wage exemption, limited to $30 per month, is provided for per
sons who are residents of the State but not heads of families. Such
persons must be at least 18 years of age or emancipated minors
(sec. 26-209).
Life insurance procured by a husband on his own life or by a wife
on her husband’s life inures at his death to the benefit of his widow
and children. The proceeds are divided between them according to
the statutes of distribution, without being subject to the husband’s
debts (secs. 56-1108,56-1109).
The net amount payable under a life-insurance policy or an annuity
contract on any person’s life made for the benefit of or assigned to the
wife, children, or dependent relatives of such person, is exempt from
claims of the creditors of such person (sec. 56-1110).
TENNESSEE
5
B. Homesteads
A homestead with improvements, in the possession of the head of a
family to the value of $1,000 is exempt from sale under legal process
during the life of the head of the family. It inures to the benefit of
the widow and is exempt during the minority of the children who
occupy it. The homestead cannot be alienated without the joint con
sent of the husband and wife. The exemption is not effective against
debts for taxes, purchase money, or improvements (Const., art. 11,
sec. 11) (sec. 26-301).
If the husband and/or father is dead or has absconded and deserted
his family, the wife and/or mother is entitled to the homestead ex
emption. The homestead or real estate owned by the husband may be
sold, but only by the joint consent of husband and wife. If the home
stead or other exempt real estate is owned by a married woman, it may
be sold and conveyed by her sole act and deed (sec. 26-301).
A homestead with improvements to the value of $1,000, belonging
to a married woman is exempt from execution, attachment or sale
during her life, and inures to the benefit of her children during their
minority. This exemption, however, applies only if her husband has
no real property in which he can claim a homestead exemption. The
exemption does not apply to any indebtedness for purchase money
owing for such homestead, or recorded indebtedness executed by her
upon the homestead (sec. 26-302).
A homestead exempt at the husband’s death goes to his widow for
her lifetime, together with the products from it, for her use and bene
fit and that of her family who reside with her, regardless of any con
trary provision in the decedent’s will (sec. 31-104).
A homestead inuring to the benefit of a widow or minor children
is assigned and set apart in the same manner as dower. Where a
widow is entitled to both homestead and dower out of the same lands,
the homestead is set apart first and then one-third of the remainder
of such lands as dower (secs. 30-901,30-912).
4. Ownership and control of property owned at marriage
Marriage imposes no disability or incapacity on a woman as to
ownership or disposition of property. Whatever property a woman
owns in her own right at the time of her marriage remains her prop
erty after marriage (sec. 36-601) ,3
5. Contractual powers of a married woman
Married women are fully emancipated. The common-law disabili
ties on a married woman’s property rights are totally abrogated.
‘Henderson Grocery Co. v. Johnson (1918), 141 Tenn. 127; 207 S.W. 723.
534954—60------ 2
THE LEGAL STATUS OF WOMEN
6
Marriage does not impose any disability or incapacity on a woman as
to the ownership, acquisition, or disposition of property, or as to her
capacity to make contracts and to do all acts in reference to property
which she could lawfully do if she were not married. Every married
woman lias the same capacity to acquire, hold, manage, control, use,
enjoy, and dispose of all her property, real and personal, and to make
any contract in reference to it, and to bind herself personally, and to
sue and be sued with all the rights and incidents thereof, as if she
were not married (sec. 36-601).
Nothing in the previous paragraph may be construed as abolishing
tenancies by the entirety, or as affecting the husband’s right of curtesy
consummate (sec. 36-602).
A married woman may convey her realty as if unmarried.4
Although the statute does not expressly authorize the wife to con
tract with her husband, it is broad enough to confer on her the right
to contract to render services to a business in which he has an interest.5
A married woman has the same right to convey realty to her husband
as the husband has to convey realty to his wife.6
All the statutes of limitation that apply in favor of or against a
feme sole and her property apply and operate in favor of or against
married women and their property (sec. 36-603).
A married woman may cause life insurance to be effected upon her
husband’s life. This insurance is in no case subject to the debts of the
husband, but inures to the benefit of the widow and children, or
either of them, as the case may be (sec. 56-1109).
An action in law or equity by or against a woman is not abated by
her marriage (sec. 20-622).
Any married person owning property in his or her own name, desir
ing to convert his interest into an estate by entireties, may do so by a
direct conveyance to his or her spouse, showing an intention to create
an estate by the entirety (sec. 64-109).
Where property is held by a husband and wife as tenants by the en
tirety, either spouse may by direct conveyance of his or her interest
therein vest the absolute title in the other (sec. 64-110).
When a contract for improving real property is made with a married
person not living apart from his or her spouse, and the property is
owned by the other or both, the spouse who contracts is deemed to
be the agent of the other, unless within 10 days after learning of the
contract the other spouse repudiates it by written notice to the con
tractor (sec. 64-1103).
* Jefferson County Bank v. Hale (1925), 152 Tenn. 648 : 280 S.W. 408.
‘Hull v. Hull Bros. Ltr. Co. (1948), 186 Tenn. 53; 208 S.W. (2d) 888.
«Howell v. Davie (1954). Tenn.; 268 S.W. (2d) 85.
TENNESSEE
7
6. Earnings of a married woman
The earnings of a wife are part of her separate personal estate and
belong to her to the exclusion of common-law rights of her husband.7
7. Liability for family support
A married woman is liable for contracts made by her on her own
credit. This includes contracts for necessaries (sec. 36-601) ,8
Any person legally chargeable with the care of a child under 18
who willfully and without good cause neglects or fails to provide for
such child according to his means is guilty of a misdemeanor (sec.
39-210). If he leaves the State with intent to leave such child desti
tute or liable to become a public charge, he is guilty of a felony (sec.
39-217).
Any husband who willfully and without good cause, neglects or
fails to provide for his wife according to his means, or leaves her
destitute or in danger of becoming a public charge, is guilty of a mis
demeanor. If ho leaves the State, he is guilty of a felony (secs. 39-201,
39-208).
8. Right of a married woman to engage in a separate business
There are no statutory restrictions on a married woman’s right to
engage in a separate business.
9. Rights of a married woman with respect to separate property
Every married woman has the same capacity to acquire, hold, man
age, control, use, enjoy, and dispose of all property, real and personal,
and to sue and be sued with respect to such property, as if she were
unmarried (sec. 36-601).
(See also number 5.)
No husband is liable for the debts, contracts, or obligations of his
wife incurred by her prior to marriage (sec. 36-604).
10. Property acquired by joint efforts of husband and wife
In the absence of a statute, the common-law rule governs, that
property acquired jointly during marriage belongs to and is controlled
by the husband, unless joint ownership is established by deed or
contract.
11. Damages for injury to person, property, or character
A wife may bring action in her name alone to recover damages for
personal injuries to herself received at the hands of strangers.9
7Hull v. Hull Bros. Ll>r. Co. (1948). 186 Tenn. 53: 208 S.W. (2d) 338.
8Baird v. Lebeck Bros. (1916), 7 Tenn. Civ, App. 225.
®Knoxville Ry. & Light Go, v. Vangilder (1915), 132 Tenn. 487; 178 S.W. 1117.
8
THE LEGAL STATUS OP WOMEN
In all suits for damages for breach of promise to marry, the judge
must instruct the jury to take into consideration the age and experi
ence of the parties and whether the plaintiff has been previously mar
ried. Any former marriage on the part of the plaintiff may be con
sidered by the court and jury in mitigation of damages (sec. 36-708).
Where the defendant in an action for breach of promise to marry is
more than 60 years of age at the time of trial, proof of damages is
limited to actual financial loss of the plaintiff up to the date of trial.
No punitive damages are allowed (sec. 36-704).
An unmarried female may prosecute an action for her own seduction
and recover damages therefor (sec. 20-107).
The common-law right of action of the husband for loss of his
wife’s services has not been taken away by the Married Women’s
Emancipation Act.10
A married woman may bring an action for the alienation of her
husband’s affections11 or for criminal conversation of her husband
with another woman.12
12. Damages for injury by spouse to person or property
The common-law rule remains unchanged, that neither spouse can
maintain an action in tort against the other for a personal injury.13
13. Comnetency of husband or wife to testify for or against each
other
A husband and wife are equally competent witnesses in all civil
actions, although neither may testify as to any matter that occurred
between them by virtue, or in consequence, of the marital relation. In
actions for divorce either spouse is at liberty to testify to all matters
occurring by virtue of the marital relation (sec. 24—103).
Laws attaching a privilege against the disclosure of communications
between husband and wife are inapplicable to proceedings under the
Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act. Husband and
wife are competent witnesses, and may be compelled to testify to any
relevant matter, including marriage and parentage (sec. 36-1022).
In all criminal cases the husband or the wife is a competent witness
to testify for or against the other (sec. 40-2404).
14. Right to dispose of separate property by will
Any person of sound mind 18 years of age or over may make a
valid will. “Person” means man or woman, single or married (secs.
32-101, 32-102).
“ Dunn v. Alabama Oil A (fas Co. (1956), Tenn.: 299 S.W. (2d)i 25.
11 Wilson v. Bryant (1934), 167 Tenn. 107; 67 S.W. (2d) 133.
m Urates v, Nailling (1954), Tenn.; 268 S.W. (2d) 561.
a Baines V. Mercer (1932), 165 Tenn. 415; 65 S.W. (2d) 263.
TENNESSEE
9
Married women, after February 15, 1941, may dispose of their
property by will. Wills executed prior to that date by married
women over 21 are valid to dispose of their real or personal estate;
such disposition does not bar the husband’s curtesy right (sec. 32-111).
A child born after making the will who is not provided for in the
will, disinherited, or provided for by settlement made in the testator’s
lifetime, succeeds to the same portion of the estate he would receive
if the decedent had died without a valid will (sec. 32-303).
15. Inheritance rights in deceased spouse’s estate
Real property
The surviving spouse of a deceased person who dies intestate is
entitled to the decedent’s real property as follows: (a) No absolute
estate if the decedent is survived by a child or the issue of a child;
brothers or sisters of the half or whole blood or their issue; the parents
or the heirs of the parent (sec. 31-101); {!>) if the intestate leaves no
heirs at law capable of inheriting, the real estate descends to the sur
viving spouse absolutely after payment of the decedent’s debts (sec.
31-103).
A valid settlement prior to marriage bars the husband’s or wife’s
interest in a decedent’s estate.14
A widow is entitled to dower which is a life estate in one-third
of all the lands her husband owned at the time of his death or in
which he had equitable title (secs. 31-601,31-603).
The family dwelling house and appurtenances are included in the
dower third, unless the widow agrees otherwise or the court makes
other provision (sec. 31-604).
The husband has an estate of curtesy in the wife’s real property
which attaches only at her death (sec. 36-602).
Personal property
After payment of debts and charges, the surviving spouse receives
the following share of a decedent’s personal property:
(a) A child’s share, if children or their issue survive;
(b) The entire distributable share if no children or their issue sur
vive (sec. 31-201).
(See number 17 for spouse’s rights if he or she dissents from the
will of deceased husband or wife.)
16. Provision for survivors during administration of estate
When a husband dies intestate, his widow, until administration is
granted, is empowered by law to take possession of and manage all his
“Key v. Collins (1921), 145 Tenn. 106 ; 236 S.W. 3.
10
THE LEGAL STATUS OF WOMEN
personal estate and to make use of such part of crops and provisions
as may be necessary for the support of herself and family (sec. 30
801).
On application of such a widow or of one who dissents from her hus
band’s will, the court appoints three property owners not related to
the widow to set apart the necessary assets for 1 year’s family support
(sec. 30-802).
The assets so set apart become the absolute property of the widow
for use as family support, free from estate debts or claims (sec. SO
SOS).
Whatever property is exempt by law from execution to the husband
continues exempt after his death and vests in the widow for herself
and in trust for the benefit of the children of the deceased without
regard to the size or solvency of the estate (sec. 30-807).
Employers are authorized to pay to the widow of a deceased em
ployee any wages or salary due said employee at the time of death not
in excess of $500. However, any such payments are charged against
the year’s support, homestead and other claims or exemption of such
widow (sec. 30-804).
(See number 3 for property exempt from execution and survivor’s
right to the family homestead.)
17. Right of husband or wife to disinherit the other by will
A widow may dissent from her husband’s will:
(a) If a satisfactory provision in real or personal estate is not made
for her and she dissents within 9 months after probate;
(b) If a provision in the decedent’s personal estate is made, but
the entire personal estate, including the bequest, is taken for payment
of creditors. In such case no formal dissent is required and she may
sue for her dower.
In either case she is provided for as if her husband had died intes
tate and is entitled to her distributive share of the personal property
(sec. 31-605).
If the husband leaves a will from which his widow dissents and not
more than 2 children survive, his widow’ is entitled to one-third of the
personal estate in addition to dower. If more than 2 children survive,
the estate is divided equally among the widow and children, the widow
taking a child’s share (sec. 31-606).
The husband may dissent from his wife’s will within 9 months after
probate. If not more than 2 children survive, the husband is entitled
to one-third of her personal estate in addition to curtesy. If more
than 2 children survive, the husband and children share the estate
equally. He is entitled to a child’s part of the personal estate (sec.
31-608).
TENNESSEE
11
Marriage and Divorce
18. Age of consent to marriage
A marriage license may not be issued if either of the contracting
parties is under the age of 16 years (sec. 36-407).
The marriage license must state the names, ages, and addresses of
the applicants, and the names and addresses of the female’s parents,
guardian, or next of kin (sec. 36-406) unless they join in the appli
cation under oath stating she is over 18 years of age (sec. 36-408).
The court may waive the minimum age requirement and order a
marriage license to be issued if good cause is shown for such action
(sec. 36-409).
If the issuing clerk knows that both of the contracting parties are
over age 21 years, compliance with the provisions regarding names and
and addresses, notice to the female’s parents, guardian or next of kin,
and waiting period is not required (sec. 36-410).
Immediately on filing, the county clerk must send a notice of the
application to the parents, guardian, or next of kin of the female by
registered mail (sec. 36-406).
(See number 20 for waiting period between application for and issu
ance of marriage license.)
19. Common-law marriage
Statutes requiring parties proposing to marry to procure a license,
and contract in the presence of an authorized officer or minister,
abrogate the common-law mode of constituting marriages.15
20. Premarital requirements
Each applicant for license to marry must file with the licensing
officer the certificate of a qualified physician, showing that the appli
cant has had a physical examination, including standard laboratory
tests for venereal diseases, and showing that such diseases are not
present in a communicable stage. Such tests must be made not more
than 30 days prior to the issuance of the marriage license to which
they apply.
No license to marry may be issued ordinarily to any person who has
not filed a certificate showing that he is free from any venereal disease.
But a license may be authorized by the court in exceptional cases for
specified causes. Penalties may be imposed for misrepresentation and
other violations (secs. 36-502—36-510).
An application for marriage license must remain on file, open to
the public for 3 days before the license is issued (sec. 36—406) unless
“ Bashaw y. State (1829), 9 Tenn. 177.
THE LEGAL STATUS OF WOMEN
12
the court waives this requirement for good cause (sec. 36-409), or the
county clerk to his own knowlege knows that the parties are both over
21 years of age (sec. 36—410).
Interracial marriages and marriages within specified degrees of
consanguinity are prohibited (secs. 36-401, 36-402).
Issuance of marriage licenses to applicants who are drunk, insane
or imbeciles is prohibited (sec. 36-411).
A valid second marriage cannot be contracted before the dissolution
of the first. However, a marriage is considered dissolved if either
party has been absent for 5 years and is not known to the other to be
living (sec. 36—404).
21. Interstate cooperation in marriage-law enforcement
Tennessee recognizes the general rule that if a marriage is valid
where solemnized it is valid everywhere.16
22. Annulment
In an action for divorce, if the complaining party, in the judgment
of the court, is entitled to such relief, a marriage may be declared void
or be annulled (secs. 36-817,36-819).
(See number 23 for grounds for divorce.)
23. Divorce
Absolute divorce may be granted to the injured party for any of
the following causes: (a) Other party at the time of the marriage was,
and still is, naturally impotent and incapable of procreation; (b)
other party knowingly entered into a second marriage without dissolu
tion of a prior marriage; (c) other party has committed adultery;
(d) willful or malicious desertion or absence, without reasonable
cause, for 2 years; (e) conviction of infamous crime; (/) conviction
of a felony, and sentence to the penitentiary; (y) attempt on the life
of the other, by poison or other means showing malice; (h) habitual
drunkenness, if the habit was contracted after marriage.
A divorce may be granted to the husband for the wife’s refusal to
remove with him to this State without a reasonable cause, and will
fully absenting herself from him for 2 years. The husband may ob
tain a divorce if the wife was pregnant at the time of the marriage
by another person, without the knowledge of the husband (sec. 36
801).
In the discretion of the court, a legal separation or an absolute
divorce may be decreed on the following grounds: (a) The husband
or wife is guilty of such cruel and inhuman treatment or conduct
MKeith V.
Pack (1945), 182 Tenn. 420; 187 S.W. (2d) 618.
TENNESSEE
13
toward the other spouse as renders cohabitation unsafe and improper,
and in the case of the wife, causes her to be under the dominion and
control of the husband; or (b ) the husband has committed such indig
nities to the wife’s person as to render her condition intolerable, and
thereby forced her to leave him; or (c) the husband has abandoned
her, or refused or neglected to provide for her (sec. 36-802).
After annulment or divorce either party may marry again. But a
defendant guilty of adultery cannot marry the person with whom the
act was committed, during the life of the former husband or wife
(sec. 36-831).
The annulment or dissolution of a marriage does not affect the legit
imacy of the children of the marriage (sec. 36-832).
Alimony and maintenance
On divorce or legal separation, the court may order suitable support
and maintenance for the complainant wife and her children by the
husband according to the nature of the case and the circumstances
of the parties (secs. 36-820, 36-825). In such case the court may de
cree to the wife such part of the husband’s real and personal estate
as appears appropriate, having reference to the property of the hus
band received through his wife on marriage or afterwards, as well
as to separate property secured to her by marriage contract or other
wise (sec. 36-821).
If the wife obtains a divorce because of misconduct of the husband,
the title to the homestead is vested in her, and after her death it passes
to their children (sec. 36-821).
If the bonds of matrimony are dissolved at the suit of the husband,
the wife is not entitled to dower in his real estate, nor to any part of
his personal estate in case of intestacy, nor to alimony (sec. 36-826).
If divorce is granted the wife, she is not entitled to dower or distribu
tive share in the husband’s estate. However, in any award of alimony
this is taken into consideration in her favor (sec. 36-823). On divorce
the husband has no curtesy in the wife’s realty nor distributive share
of her personalty (sec. 36-827).
Parents and Children
24. Parents’ right to services and earnings of a minor child
The father and mother have equal powers, rights, and duties with
respect to the services and earnings of their minor child. However,
so much of the net income of such minor child as is necessary may be
expended for his care, maintenance, and education (sec. 34-101).
The father, or in case of his death or desertion of the family, the
mother, may maintain an action for the expenses and actual loss of
14
THE LEGAL STATUS OF WOMEN
service resulting from injury to a minor child in the parent’s service
or living in the family (sec. 20-105), or for the seduction of a
daughter. This suit may also be brought if the daughter is not living
with the plaintiff and there is no loss of service. However, recovery
by one bars suit by the others for the same cause (sec. 20-107).
25. Guardianship of a minor child
The father and mother are joint natural guardians of their minor
children, and have equal powers, rights and duties with respect to
their custody. The parents are jointly charged with the care, nurture,
welfare, education, and support of their children, and with the care,
management, and expenditure of their estates (sec. 34-101).
If either parent dies or is incapable of acting, the guardianship of
such minor child or children devolves upon the surviving parent, or
the parent capable of acting (sec. 34-103).
If the parents are separated or divorced, the court may award the
guardianship of the minor child to that parent who the court deems
will best safeguard the child’s interests (sec. 34-105).
26. Appointment of testamentary guardian for a minor child
The parents jointly, or the survivor of them, may appoint by written
instrument or will a guardian to have custody and tuition of their
legitimate unmarried child during his minority (sec. 34r-301).
The mother of an illegitimate child may appoint a testamentary
guardian of his custody and tuition (sec. 34—302).
27. Inheritance—child
The parents of an intestate person dying without descendants in
herit as follows:
Real property
(a) Without regard to source of title: If the decedent left no
brothers or sisters or their issue, then the parents inherit all the land.
(b) If the land was acquired by the decedent: If there are no
brothers or sisters or their issue, the father and mother inherit as
tenants in common.
(c) If the land was acquired by gift, devise, or descent from a
parent or the ancestor of a parent: If decedent left no brothers or
sisters, then the parent from whom or from whose ancestors it came,
inherits, in preference to the other parent. If the transmitting parent
is dead the other parent takes the inheritance (sec. 31-101).
(See number 15 for inheritance rights of the surviving spouse.)
TENNESSEE
15
Personal property
If no spouse survives, the net personal estate is taken by the dece
dent’s parents in equal parts. If one parent is dead, the whole estate
passes to the surviving parent (sec. 31-201).
28. Child born out of wedlock
A petition to establish the paternity of a child bom out of wedlock
and to compel the father to furnish support and education for the
child may be filed by the mother. However, proceedings to establish
paternity may not be brought after the lapse of more than 2 years
from the birth of the child unless paternity has been acknowl
edged by the father in writing or by the furnishing of support
(sec. 36-224).
The father is liable for the support and education of the child until
the child reaches the age of 18 years. In addition, he must provide
for the payment of necessary expenses incurred by or for the mother
in connection with her confinement and recovery; for the funeral ex
penses if the child has died; for the support of the child prior to the
issuance of the order of support ; and such expenses in connection
with the pregnancy of the mother as the court may deem proper
(secs. 36-223, 36-229).
An application to legitimate a child born out of wedlock must be
made in writing, signed by the person wishing to legitimate such child
and setting forth reasons therefor (sec. 36-302). The effect of legiti
mation is to create the relation of parent and child between petitioner
and person legitimated (sec. 36-306). Children born out of wedlock
whose parents have intermarried are legitimate (sec. 36-307).
29. Inheritance—child born out of wedlock
The mother of a child born out of wedlock inherits his real and
personal estate if he leaves no issue or spouse (secs. 31-105, 31-203).
If a woman dies intestate, having children bom out of wedlock, they
inherit the mother’s real and personal property equally with her legiti
mate children (secs. 31-107, 31-205).
When the paternity of a child bom out of wedlock is established,
the child is considered a legitimate child for the purpose of inheriting
from the father (sec. 36-234).
POLITICAL RIGHTS
30. Domicile of a married woman
The domicile of the wife is presumed to be that of her husband.17
17 Clothier V. Clothier (1950), 33 Tenn. App. 532 ; 232 S.W. (2d) 363.
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THE LEGAL STATUS OF WOMEN
31. Public office—eligibility of women
All persons, 21 years of age, who are citizens of the United States,
and have been inhabitants of Tennessee, the county, and district or
circuit for the period required by State law, are eligible for public
office (sec. 8-1801).
32. Jury service—eligibility of women
Every person over 21, who is a citizen of the United States, and who
has resided for a period of 12 months in the State and in the county
in which he or she is summoned for jury service, is qualified to act as
a grand or petit juror, if not otherwise incompetent to so serve. A
woman has the option of serving or not when summoned for jury
duty (sec. 22-101).
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