DOMESTIC-RELATIONS EXCEPTION

domestic-relations  exception.The  exclusion  of  suits  regarding  the  granting  of  divorce,

alimony, and child custody from federal diversity jurisdiction. • The domestic-relations exemption

to federal diversity jurisdiction  originated as dictum in  Barber v. Barber, 62 U.S. (21 How.) 582

(1858).  Federal  courts  do  not  have  jurisdiction  to  grant  divorces,  award  alimony,  or  determine

child custody. In general, matters of domestic relations are left to the states. But the federal courts

may hear other diversity matters involving family members, such as tort claims or suits seeking to

enforce alimony orders. Ankenbrandt v. Richards, 504 U.S. 689, 112 S.Ct. 2206 (1992). [Blacks Law 8th]