Pickett v. Brown

This case requires us to decide the constitutionality of a provision of a Tennessee statute 1 that imposes a 2-year limitations period on paternity and child support actions brought on behalf of certain illegitimate children.

Under Tennessee law both fathers and mothers are responsible for the support of their minor children. See Tenn. Code Ann. §34-101 (1977); Rose Funeral Home, Inc. v. Julian, 176 Tenn. 534, 539, 144 S. W. 2d 755, 757 (1940); Brooks v. Brooks, 166 Tenn. 255, 257, 61 S. W. 2d 654 (1933). This duty of support is enforceable throughout the child’s minority. See Blackburn v.…