20-5-110 - Action for death of spouse. - Tennessee Statutes

20-5-110. Action for death of spouse.

(a)  A suit for the wrongful killing of the spouse may be brought in the name of the surviving spouse for the benefit of the surviving spouse and the children of the deceased, in the name of the administrator of the deceased spouse or in the name of the next of kin of the spouse.

(b)  The surviving spouse may effect a bona fide compromise in such a suit or right of action and may execute a valid release that shall be binding upon all the children of the deceased or next of kin of the deceased.

[Acts 1897, ch. 86, § 2; Shan., § 4029a2; mod. Code 1932, § 8239; Acts 1953, ch. 210, § 2; 1975, ch. 284, § 4; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 20-611; Acts 1981, ch. 250, § 1.]