Ankenbrandt v. Richards, 504 U.S. 689 (1992), was a United States Supreme Court case in which the Court held that, notwithstanding the traditional exception to diversity jurisdiction prohibiting federal courts from hearing domestic relations cases, federal courts may hear money damages suits between former spouses. In Ankenbrandt, a woman, as next friend of her two daughters, sued her ex-husband and his "female companion" for abusing the children of the marriage. The mother filed suit in federal court, requesting money damages.