Supreme Court of the United States
United States v. Yazell
January 17, 1966382 U.S. 341
Summary
The Supreme Court affirmed the Fifth Circuit, holding that Texas’s coverture law governs the enforceability of the SBA disaster loan against Mrs. Yazell’s separate property, and that no overriding federal interest justifies disregarding that state rule. A dissent argued for a uniform federal rule, while a concurrence agreed with the majority’s result but limited reliance on the parties’ negotiations.
Holding
- Whether the Federal Government may override Texas’s coverture law and enforce a disaster‑loan contract against a married woman’s separate property in the absence of a specific federal statute or regulation.. No. The state rule governing the capacity of married women to contract governs, and the federal interest does not justify overriding Texas law.
Docket 10
Cited authorities
- 26 U.S.C. § 6323
- Cal. Code § 171
- Cal. Code § 1260
- 48 Stat. 1246
- 12 U.S.C. § 1702
- 26 U.S.C. §§ 6321
- 11 U.S.C. §104
- 63 Yale L.J. 905