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Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-108

Forced marriage prohibited — Civil action

Acts 2018, ch. 1049, § 8.

(1) 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.

(2) 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.

(3) Damages for a claim under this section shall include: Liquidated damages of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000);

(4) Reasonable attorneys' fees; and

(5) Court costs.

(6) Upon a finding of forced marriage, the court shall order the marriage in question void.

(7) 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.

Current official text: Tennessee Code (LexisNexis). Digitized from the UniCourt Code Improvement Commission public-domain capture. Reproduced from public-domain Tennessee statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.