The Oyez Project: Civil Rights Issues - Illegitimates, Rights of Arguments

Clark v. Jeter - Oral Argument

Tue, 19 Apr 1988 12:00:00 -0500

A Pennsylvania law required illegitimate children to prove paternity before seeking support from their fathers. The statute of limitations on suits seeking to establish paternity was six years from the birth of the illegitimate child. However, the state allowed legitimate children to seek support from their parents at any time. Cherlyn Clark sought child support from Gene Jeter, whom she claimed was the father of her daughter, Tiffany. Blood tests indicated that there was a 99.3% probability that Jeter indeed was Tiffany's father. A state court dismissed Clark's suit because it was initiated after the statute of limitations had expired.

Mathews v. Lucas - Oral Argument

Tue, 13 Jan 1976 12:00:00 -0500

No details yet.

Norton v. Mathews - Oral Argument

Tue, 13 Jan 1976 12:00:00 -0500

No details yet.

Pickett v. Brown - Oral Argument

Wed, 27 Apr 1983 12:00:00 -0500

No details yet.

Reed v. Campbell - Oral Argument

Wed, 30 Apr 1986 12:00:00 -0500

No details yet.

Trimble v. Gordon - Oral Argument

Tue, 07 Dec 1976 12:00:00 -0500

Section 12 of the Illinois Probate Act, while allowing legitimate children to inherit by intestate succession from either their mothers or fathers, allowed illegitimate children to inherit by intestate succession only from their mothers. Consequently, Deta Trimble, the illegitimate daughter of Sherman Gordon, was unable to inherit her father's estate when he died intestate. After losing her challenge to Section 12 in the Illinois Supreme Court, Trimble appealed to the Supreme Court.