Ankenbrandt v. Richards

Ankenbrandt v. Richards
Argued March 31, 1992
Decided June 15, 1992
Full case nameANKENBRANDT, as next friend and mother of L. R., et al. v. RICHARDS et al.
Docket no.91-367
Citations504 U.S. 689 (more)
112 S. Ct. 2206, 119 L. Ed. 2d 468
ArgumentOral argument
Opinion announcementOpinion announcement
Case history
Prior
  • Dismissed, 1990 WL 211545 (E.D. La. Dec. 10, 1990)
  • Judgment affirmed, 934 F.2d 1262 (5th Cir. 1991)
Holding
Notwithstanding the traditional exception to diversity jurisdiction prohibiting federal courts from hearing domestic relations cases, federal courts may hear money damages suits between former spouses.
Court membership
Chief Justice
William Rehnquist
Associate Justices
Byron White · Harry Blackmun
John P. Stevens · Sandra Day O'Connor
Antonin Scalia · Anthony Kennedy
David Souter · Clarence Thomas
Case opinions
MajorityWhite, joined by Rehnquist, O'Connor, Scalia, Kennedy, Souter, Thomas
ConcurrenceBlackmun
ConcurrenceStevens, joined by Thomas
Laws applied
Article Three of the United States Constitution, 28 U.S.C. § 1332

Ankenbrandt v. Richards, 504 U.S. 689 (1992), was a United States Supreme Court case in which the Court held that, notwithstanding the traditional exception to diversity jurisdiction prohibiting federal courts from hearing domestic relations cases, federal courts may hear money damages suits between former spouses.[1][2] In Ankenbrandt, a woman, as next friend of her two daughters, sued her ex-husband and his "female companion" for abusing the children of the marriage. The mother filed suit in federal court, requesting money damages.

References

  1. ^ Ankenbrandt v. Richards, 504 U.S. 689 (1992).
  2. ^ Lieberman, Jethro K. (1999). "Abstention Doctrine". A Practical Companion to the Constitution. p. 23.