Domestic Violence, Physical Abuse, Threats of Spousal Abuse

Physical abuse and threats of abuse are clear instances of inappropriate marital conduct. An individual who causes unnecessary physical pain and suffering to his or her spouse may be found guilty of inappropriate marital conduct. Examples of physical abuse include brow-beating and bullying, and holding a gun on the spouse.

The Supreme Court of Tennessee has even recognized abnormal sex as a type of inappropriate marital conduct. Excessive and unwanted sexual intercourse when the spouse is in delicate health constitutes cruel and inhuman treatment. Conversely, a spouse’s refusal to engage in physical intimacy has also been considered by Tennessee courts in determining whether marital conduct was inappropriate.