orr orr argued november decided march following stipulation appellant husband appellee wife appellant agreed pay appellee alimony alabama acting pursuant state alimony statutes husbands wives may required pay alimony upon divorce ordered appellant make monthly alimony payments two years thereafter appellee filed petition seeking appellant adjudged contempt failing maintain alimony payments hearing petition appellant though claiming entitled alimony award appellee made contention advanced first time proceeding alabama statutes virtue reliance classification violated equal protection clause fourteenth amendment trial ruling adversely appellant issue entered judgment affirmed appeal held jurisdiction appellant appeal pp appellant failure ask alimony deprive standing attack constitutionality alabama statutes underinclusiveness attack holds promise relief burden deriving challenged statutes appellant therefore alleged personal stake outcome controversy assure concrete adverseness sharpens presentation issues upon th largely depends illumination difficult constitutional questions baker carr pp courts refused entertain appellant constitutional contention ground timely made applicable state procedures might lacked jurisdiction consider contention timeliness point raised considered constitutional issue decided merits circumstances irrelevant whether decision based upon adequate independent state ground pp point raised considered appellant virtue stipulation obliged make alimony payments state contract law state decide appellant upon independent state ground deeming federal question actually decides question adversely federal right asserted jurisdiction review judgment final indiana ex rel anderson brand pp alabama statutory scheme imposing alimony obligations husbands wives violates equal protection clause fourteenth amendment pp withstand scrutiny equal protection clause classifications gender must serve important governmental objectives must substantially related achievement objectives califano webster pp statutes validated basis state preference allocation family responsibilities wife plays dependent role longer female destined solely home rearing family male marketplace world ideas stanton stanton pp though argued alabama statutory scheme designed provide help needy spouses using sex proxy need compensate women past discrimination marriage assertedly left unprepared fend working world following divorce considerations justify scheme alabama statutes individualized hearings parties relative financial circumstances considered already occur since hearings determine spouses needy well wives fact discriminated reason operate generalization thus distinction gratuitous weinberger wiesenfeld pp use gender classification moreover actually produces perverse results case financially secure wife whose husband need derives advantage alabama scheme compared one pp question remains open remand whether appellant stipulated agreement pay alimony grounds state law bind continue alimony payments pp brennan delivered opinion stewart white marshall blackmun stevens joined blackmun post stevens post filed concurring opinions powell filed dissenting opinion post rehnquist filed dissenting opinion burger joined post john capell iii argued cause filed briefs appellant horsley argued cause filed brief appellee ruth bader ginsburg margaret moses young filed brief american civil liberties union amicus curiae urging reversal justice brennan delivered opinion question presented constitutionality alabama alimony statutes provide husbands wives may required pay alimony upon divorce february final decree divorce entered dissolving marriage william lillian orr decree directed appellant orr pay appellee orr per month alimony july orr initiated contempt proceeding circuit lee county alleging orr arrears alimony payments august hearing orr petition orr submitted defense motion requesting alabama alimony statutes declared unconstitutional authorize courts place obligation alimony upon husbands never upon wives circuit denied orr motion entered judgment covering back alimony attorney fees relying solely upon federal constitutional claim orr appealed judgment march civil appeals alabama sustained constitutionality alabama statutes may alabama granted orr petition writ certiorari november without opinion quashed writ improvidently granted noted probable jurisdiction hold challenged alabama statutes unconstitutional reverse first address three preliminary questions raised parties alabama courts nevertheless may jurisdictional therefore considered motion first concerns standing orr assert defense unconstitutionality alabama statutes appears orr made claim entitled award alimony orr required pay alimony similarly situated wives ordered pay therefore possible success ultimately bring relief judgment outstanding state respond reversal neutrally extending alimony rights needy husbands well wives event orr remain obligated wife thus argued proper plaintiff husband requested alimony one merely objected paying alimony argument quite clearly proves much every equal protection attack upon statute challenged underinclusive state may satisfy constitution commands either extending benefits previously disfavored class denying benefits parties repealing statute whole case held unconstitutional alabama divorce statutes validated inter alia amendments either permit awards husbands well wives deny alimony parties true first disposition orr might gain nothing success although hypothetical requesting plaintiff however instead state takes second course denies alimony spouses orr hypothetical plaintiff benefit way knowing state fact respond unless hold underinclusive statutes never challenged plaintiff success theoretically thwarted orr must held standing several occasions considered inherent problem challenges underinclusive statutes stanton stanton craig boren denied plaintiff standing ground question orr bears burden bear female issue highlighted although altered transposing sphere race doubt state law imposing alimony obligations blacks whites challenged black required pay burden alone sufficient establish standing resolution statute constitutionality often finally resolve controversy th appellant th appellee stanton stanton deny standing simply appellant although prevailing federal constitutional issue may may ultimately win lawsuit holdings alabama courts stand total bar appellant relief constitutional attack holds promise escape burden derives challenged statutes therefore alleged personal stake outcome controversy assure concrete adverseness sharpens presentation issues upon th largely depends illumination difficult constitutional questions linda richard quoting baker carr indeed indistinguishable facts stated party standing sustained linda richard supra marshall stated parent legitimate child must statute pay child support standing challenge statute ground parent illegitimate child equally burdened second preliminary question concerns timeliness appellant challenge constitutionality statutes constitutional challenge made time original divorce decree orr interpose constitution sought contempt judgment failure abide terms decree unexcused tardiness might well constituted procedural default state law alabama refused hear orr constitutional objection ground might without jurisdiction consider see wright federal courts ed case neither orr alabama courts time objected timeliness presentation constitutional issue instead alabama circuit civil appeals courts considered issue properly presented decided merits see app juris statement circumstances objection orr complaint comes late clearly untenable ince state deemed federal constitutional question treat decision resting upon adequate independent state ground even conclude state might properly relied upon ground avoid deciding federal question beecher alabama merely application elementary rule irrelevant inquire federal question raised appears question actually considered decided manhattan life ins cohen accord harlin missouri jenkins georgia raley ohio see wright supra third preliminary question arises indications record orr alimony obligation part stipulation entered parties incorporated divorce decree lee county circuit thus may despite unconstitutionality alimony statutes orr may continuing obligation former wife based upon agreement essence matter state contract law alabama courts held anchored judgments case basis independent adequate state ground might exist without power hear constitutional argument see herb pitcairn fox film muller ambiguity whether state decision based federal state grounds open determine federal question remand state courts clarification ground decision see california krivda ambiguity time orr raise stipulation possible alternative ground support judgment indeed brief alabama civil appeals expressly stated appellee agrees issue whether alabama alimony laws unconstitutional gender based classification made statutes app juris statement alabama circuit civil appeals courts reached decided federal question without considering issues latter specifying sole issue whether alabama alimony statutes unconstitutional find unconstitutional affirm reason given state majority quashing writ certiorari concurring dissenting opinions mention federal constitutional issue mention stipulation see orr even raise point record course clear dictated long line decisions state decide petitioner appellant upon independent state ground deeming federal question actually entertains decides question adversely federal right asserted jurisdiction review judgment final judgment refuse jurisdiction state might based decision consistently record upon independent adequate ground indiana ex rel anderson brand analysis three preliminary questions therefore indicates jurisdiction constitutional challenge asserted orr art iii case controversy properly presented turn merits ii authorizing imposition alimony obligations husbands wives alabama statutory scheme provides different treatment accorded basis sex thus establishes classification subject scrutiny equal protection clause reed reed fact classification expressly discriminates men rather women protect scrutiny craig boren withstand scrutiny equal protection clause classifications gender must serve important governmental objectives must substantially related achievement objectives califano webster shall therefore examine three governmental objectives might arguably served alabama statutory scheme appellant views alabama alimony statutes effectively announcing state preference allocation family responsibilities wife plays dependent role seeking objective reinforcement model among state citizens cf stern stern agree urges prior cases settle purpose sustain statutes stanton stanton held old notio generally man primary responsibility provide home essentials longer justify statute discriminates basis gender longer female destined solely home rearing family male marketplace world ideas see also craig boren supra statute survive constitutional attack therefore must validated basis opinion alabama civil appeals suggests purposes statute may serve opinion alabama statutes designed wife broken marriage needs financial assistance may read asserting either two legislative objectives one legislative purpose provide help needy spouses using sex proxy need goal compensating women past discrimination marriage assertedly left unprepared fend working world following divorce concede course assisting needy spouses legitimate important governmental objective also recognized education disparity economic condition men women caused long history discrimination women important governmental objective califano webster supra remains therefore determine whether classification issue substantially related achievement objectives ibid ordinarily begin analysis needy spouse objective considering whether sex sufficiently accurate proxy craig boren supra dependency establish gender classification rests upon ground difference fair substantial relation object legislation reed reed supra similarly initially approach compensation rationale asking whether women fact significantly discriminated sphere statute applied classification leaving sexes similarly situated respect opportunities sphere schlesinger ballard compare califano webster supra kahn shevin weinberger wiesenfeld case even sex reliable proxy need even institution marriage discriminate women factors still adequately justify salient features alabama statutory scheme craig boren supra statute individualized hearings parties relative financial circumstances considered already occur see russell russell ortman ortman reason therefore use sex proxy need needy males helped along needy females little additional burden state circumstances even rationale exists justify operating generalization proxy similarly since individualized hearings determine women fact discriminated husbands well family units defied stereotype left husband dependent wife alabama alleged compensatory purpose may effectuated without placing burdens solely husbands progress toward fulfilling purpose hampered cost state nothing treat men women equally making alimony burdens independent sex thus distinction gratuitous without statutory scheme provide benefits men fact similarly situated women statute aids weinberger wiesenfeld supra effort help women way compromised moreover use gender classification actually produces perverse results case compared law placing alimony obligations spouse able pay present alabama statutes give advantage financially secure wife whose husband need although wife might pay alimony statute present statutes exempt obligation thus wives benefit disparate treatment nondependent husbands califano goldfarb stevens concurring judgment precisely needy spouses least likely victims discrimination institution marriage classification compared one generates additional benefits reason prefer survive equal protection scrutiny legislative classifications distribute benefits burdens basis gender carry inherent risk reinforcing stereotypes proper place women need special protection cf jewish organizations carey opinion concurring part thus even statutes purportedly designed compensate ameliorate effects past discrimination must carefully tailored state compensatory ameliorative purposes well served classification one gender classifies therefore carries baggage sexual stereotypes state permitted classify basis sex doubly choice made state appears redound indirectly benefit without need special solicitude iii found alabama alimony statutes unconstitutional reverse judgment remand cause proceedings inconsistent opinion disposition course leaves state courts free decide questions substantive state law yet passed upon litigation indiana ex rel anderson brand wright federal courts see south dakota opperman marshall dissenting air lines mahin california green schuylkill trust pennsylvania georgia elec decatur therefore open alabama courts remand consider whether orr stipulated agreement pay alimony grounds state law bind continue alimony payments reversed remanded footnotes uncertainty point may appellant circuit motion challenging constitutionality statutes construed constituting claim alimony appeals opinion refers one orr arguments challenging failure statutes provide award alimony males oral argument appellant attorney characterized motion asserting claim award tr oral arg course whether proper way assert claim alimony may question state law state courts challenge appellant standing ground careful examination appellant allegations reveals may need rely upon arguments demonstrate standing alleges receive relief matter reform statutes alabama chooses make even alabama chooses burden men women alimony requirements appropriate circumstances orr argues statute result lower payments part argues current statutes award alimony wives based solely upon need comparative financial circumstances also upon factors state view man must maintain wife manner accustomed ortman ortman also argues alimony agreements automatically incorporated decrees rather usually first reviewed fairness wife husband see russell russell given disposition case need resolve allegations serve render unassailable appellant standing assert unconstitutionality statutes preclude state even alabama another case holding contempt proceedings late process challenge constitutionality divorce decree already entered without constitutional objection assuming course state prior proceedings permit fair opportunity assert federal right see naacp alabama indeed brother powell points post alabama apparently similar rule see hughes hughes civ app cert dismissed improvidently granted appeal docketed therefore reason concern today decision might nullify existing alimony obligations fact state courts decline hear tardily raised constitutional challenges mean matter federal law must decide instead reach federal question jurisdiction see beecher alabama cases cited text supra page whether orr contempt judgment survive basis stipulation alone depends upon resolution somewhat knotty problems foremost fact present suit simple action breach contract rather contempt proceeding disobeying divorce decree moreover alabama law divorce judge automatically approve stipulated settlements must review fairness russell russell supra alabama courts treat orr stipulation invalidation alimony statutes matter predict fact state merely quashed petition certiorari highest state actually decide merits case appeals alter result cicenia lagay overruled grounds miranda arizona example new jersey superior decided case federal constitutional grounds although state grounds might available state denied certification without giving reasons precisely situation present fact claim independent state ground existed even stronger cicenia trial essex county rested decision state law nonetheless cicenia held since superior dealt petitioner constitutional claims merits jurisdiction exists shall assume new jersey decision denying leave appeal based th nonfederal ground brother rehnquist dissent contends doremus board education requires dismissal orr appeal quotation doremus cited brother rehnquist post merely confirms obvious proposition state confer standing party otherwise lack proposition wholly irrelevant case although state confer standing decline place purely obstacles way appellant right decide federal claim brother rehnquist argues matter state contract law albeit unsettled denies orr otherwise clear standing case alabama courts construed stipulation continuing bind orr something alabama courts addressing deciding merits orr constitutional argument alabama courts declined interpose obstacle orr standing brother powell dissent makes two objections reaching merits case first abstain deciding constitutional issue cause remanded afford alabama second opportunity consider case authority cites opinions applying pullman abstention doctrine see railroad pullman doctrine applicable state deferred previously examined case one long string opinions cited brother powell post approved abstention situation like one question referred already considered case surprising indeed disturbing objection made brother powell suggestion parties may colluded bring constitutional issue post evidence whatever within outside record supports accusation brother powell suggests none indeed difficult imagine possible interest orr helping resist demand back alimony appellee attempts buttress importance objective arguing common law stripped married woman many rights property attempted partially compensate giving assurance supported husband brief appellee argument support obligation imposed common law compensate wife discrimination suffered hands common law reveals weakness establishes alimony statutes part parcel larger statutory scheme invidiously discriminated women removing world work property compensating making designated place secure reason invalidate entire discriminatory scheme reason uphold separate invidious parts appellee argument even weaker applied facts case alabama long ago removed statute elements common law appellee points justifying discrimination see ala art married women property rights course upon examination becomes clear substantial relationship statutes purported objectives may well indicate objectives statutes goals first place see ely centrality limits motivation analysis san diego rev also consider whether purportedly compensatory classifications fact penalized women whether statutory structure legislative history revealed classification enacted compensation past discrimination califano webster might argued alabama rule least relieves state administrative burden actions husbands wives alimony however wife also seeking alimony savings occur hearing required event even wife willing forgo alimony appears alabama law savings still accrue alabama courts review financial circumstances parties divorce despite parties views even settlement reached see russell russell even true administrative time effort conserved give mandatory preference members either sex merely accomplish elimination hearings merits make kind arbitrary legislative choice forbidden equal protection clause reed reed indiana ex rel anderson brand dispositive effect indiana state courts available two potential grounds upholding actions public school dismissing teacher one matter purely state law required holding dismissal violated contracts clause federal constitution indiana courts chose latter course pass upon state question recognizing state ground relied upon anderson held held decision state reach merits constitutional question without relying potential state ground gave jurisdiction done anderson proceeded decide federal question state reversed judgment case remanded noting ground still available defense school considered state courts similarly effect orr stipulation matter substantive state law yet passed upon may considered alabama courts remand justice blackmun concurring assumption language concerning discrimination sphere relevant preference statute ante imply discrimination always irrelevant assumption language way cuts back decision kahn shevin join opinion judgment justice stevens concurring whether orr continuing contractual obligation pay alimony orr question alabama law alabama courts yet decided part opinion justice rehnquist seems making one two alternative suggestions decide issue direct alabama decide issue deciding federal constitutional issue even agree justice rehnquist view orr probability success issue remote deny standing argue federal question decided alabama still understand reached conclusion litigation orr case controversy within meaning art iii justice powell dissenting agree justice rehnquist desire reach equal protection issue case dealt casually difficult art iii problems confront us rather assume answer questions state law resolution art iii issue depend well may moot equal protection question case abstain reaching either constitutional questions present time repeatedly observed hen federal constitutional claim premised unsettled question state law federal stay hand order provide state courts opportunity settle underlying question thus avoid possibility unnecessarily deciding constitutional question harris county moore present two questions state law resolution almost certainly determine outcome litigation least substantially alter issues presented concedes alabama properly might regard challenge terms divorce decree untimely came first time two years decree became final contempt proceeding enforce alimony obligation ante moreover appellant interposed objection entry decree approval therein settlement agreement questioned validity alabama statute circumstances provisions divorce decree subject collateral attack grave questions arise alabama hardly need said policy repose embodied prohibition collateral attack especial importance respect divorce alimony decrees surprising therefore subsequent decision case alabama civil appeals held claim identical appellant considered husband raised first time motion new trial hughes hughes cert dismissed improvidently granted appeal docketed holding apply fortiori case constitutional claim raised contempt proceeding second question state law concerns formal settlement agreement entered appellant appellee deals detail property rights alimony matters dispute parties approved divorce agreement requires husband pay per month support maintenance use comfort wife life remarries also specifies terms provisions agreement shall inure binding upon parties hereto respective heirs assigns executors administrators legal representatives app although view agreement obstacle reaching constitutional question acknowledge appellant may continuing obligation former wife based upon agreement matter state contract law quite apart divorce decree ante appellant collateral attack terms divorce decree properly entertained alabama law alimony obligation assumed appellant settlement agreement remains enforceable alabama law question whether constitutionally may exercise jurisdiction dispute close difficult addition unnecessary consider constitutionality alabama divorce statute doctrine bar federal review judgment appellant order find case controversy present necessarily assumes answer questions case circumstances assumptions might appropriate anticipate every issue ultimately bar realization otherwise substantial federal claim failure either state courts parties address issue ordinarily might indicate present problem concedes substantiality identified unanswered questions indeed light hughes hughes supra otherwise uncertainty ambiguity surrounding case accentuated fact appellant apparently contend entire divorce decree invalid seeks relief much decree imposes alimony obligation obligation one element detailed comprehensive agreement signed parties witnessed respective attorneys agreement made subject approval divorce apart whether contractual obligation pay alimony remains binding appellant question binding effect divorce upon appellee agreed divorce appellant without contest without making record grounds divorce unless assurance valid enforceable order providing support maintenance lifetime apparently none questions raised either alabama courts explanation offered us case presented manner view substantiality unanswered questions must conceded serious doubts exist either presence judicially cognizable case controversy appellant obtaining advantage constitutional claim failure parties raise questions courts courts raise sua sponte bind us record us said assurance interests parties fully adversary seeking reasons undisclosed purely advisory opinion constitutional issue considerable importance circumstances find insistence upon reaching deciding merits quite irreconcilable doctrine abstain reaching federal constitutional claim premised unsettled questions state law without first affording state courts opportunity resolve questions therefore remand case alabama confuses questions existence case controversy art iii application doctrine true failure courts rest decision ground means without power decide case reason cf murdock memphis wall determine whether presence fact grounds decision bars federal considering claim supervisors stanley implies principles equitable abstention expressed pullman decision never apply unresolved question state law referred already considered case ante unusual posture case illustrates state may considered case without relevant questions presented see infra true policies underlie pullman apply equal force notes appellee brief alabama civil appeals stated appellee agrees issue whether alabama alimony laws unconstitutional gender based classification made statutes ante made reference alabama authority already held constitutional attacks divorce statute heard unless presented time divorce contested see dale dale app even inexplicable appellee made reference hughes hughes ala app cert dismissed improvidently granted appeal docketed spite decision clear relevance case pertinent initial decision hughes handed seven months appellee filed brief us final decision alabama announced month argument case curious say least neither party case raised questions competency appellee counsel evidenced thoroughness settlement agreement negotiated witnessed moreover questions raised neither abstruse difficult view way case presented dismiss possibility rapprochement parties affect genuineness case controversy may well innocent explanation unusual circumstances absence explanation appearing record suggests wisdom deciding constitutional issue justice rehnquist chief justice joins dissenting alabama wives may awarded alimony upon divorce part opinion holds alabama alimony statutes may challenged divorced male never sought alimony demonstrably entitled alimony even contractually bound pay alimony former wife without objection two years think eagerness invalidate alabama statutes led deal casually case controversy requirement art iii constitution architects constitutional form government assure courts exercising judicial power trench upon authority committed branches government consciously limited judicial branch right expounding constitution cases judiciary nature actual cases controversies genuinely adverse parties central art iii limitation federal judicial power concept standing standing inquiry focuses party asking whether personal stake outcome controversy warrant invocation jurisdiction justify exercise remedial powers behalf warth seldin emphasis original quoting baker carr implicit concept standing requirements injury fact causation demonstrate personal stake litigation necessary satisfy art iii party must suffer distinct palpable injury warth seldin supra bears fairly traceable causal connection challenged government action duke power carolina environmental study group quoting arlington heights metropolitan housing dev party standing raise issue questioned therefore relevant inquiry whether shown injury likely redressed favorable decision simon eastern kentucky welfare rights stated differently party places question federal must stand profit personal interest resolution else exercise judicial power gratuitous sole claim alabama alimony statutes provide husbands may required pay alimony upon divorce violate equal protection clause fourteenth amendment statutes alleged create impermissible classification generally attacked one two theories first challenged classification may confer members one sex benefit conferred similarly situated members sex clearly members excluded class sex entitled statute benefits sufficient personal stake outcome equal protection challenge statute invoke power federal judiciary thus widower standing question constitutionality state statute granting property tax exemption widows see kahn shevin likewise reached merits retired male wage earner equal protection challenge federal statute granting higher monthly benefits similarly situated female wage earners see califano webster standing raise constitutional claims destroyed fact state florida kahn congress webster capable frustrating victory merely withdrawing challenged statute benefits favored class rather extending excluded class see stanton stanton second challenged statute may saddle members one sex burden borne similarly situated members sex standing attack statute lies labor burden example califano goldfarb sustained widower equal protection challenge provision social security act burdened widowers widows task proving dependency upon deceased spouse order qualify survivor benefits similar statute invalidated frontiero richardson instance female member uniformed services unlike male counterparts required prove spouse dependency order obtain increased quarters allowances health benefits statutes issue differ discussed benefit flowing divorced wives derives burden imposed divorced husbands thus alabama alimony statutes effect create two gender classifications needy wives awarded alimony statutes needy husbands financially secure husbands required pay alimony statutes financially secure wives appellant orr standing raise equal protection claim must therefore analyzed terms classifications long held order satisfy requirement art iii standing party claiming statute unconstitutionally withholds particular benefit must line receive benefit suit successful supervisors stanley shareholders national bank attacked validity state property tax statute contrary federal law permit deduction personal debts assessed value bank stock respect constitutional claim shareholders failed allege existence personal debts deducted valid statute reasoned render state statute void shareholder national bank owes debts deduct assessed value shares denial right affect pays amount tax law gave right deduction better condition law expressly authorized make deduction legal interest question affects others invoke protection act congress case rights protect sit decide abstract questions law parties show interest decided either way affect right right exists delicate duty declaring act state legislation void assumption authority uncalled merits case unnecessary assertion rights party suit holds orr standing raise equal protection claim lies burden bears alabama statutes required pay alimony needy former spouse similarly situated women state may render orr victory hollow one neutrally extending alimony rights needy husbands according destroy standing state may elect instead away alimony altogether possibility alabama turn back thousands women currently dependent alimony checks support practical matter nonexistent conclusion appellant lacks standing rest strong likelihood alabama respond today decision passing statute appellant simply demonstrated either alternative open state even entire abrogation alimony free burden alimony obligation issue case fixed agreement parties appellant makes claim contract unenforceable state law indeed concedes despite unconstitutionality alimony statutes orr may continuing obligation former wife based upon agreement ante casually dismisses matter however one predict ante accede offhand dismissal serious obstacle exercise jurisdiction duty establish orr standing claim decided merits contrary burden meet minimum requirement art iii establish fact asserted injury consequence unconstitutional statute prospective relief remove harm warth seldin duke power carolina environmental study group arlington heights metropolitan housing dev simon eastern kentucky welfare rights linda richard appellant carried burden clearly demonstrated acknowledgement alimony obligation may well enforced state contract law analysis orr standing aided attempt transform instant case one involving race discrimination see ante course state law imposing alimony obligations blacks whites challenged black required operation statute pay alimony invalidation discriminatory alimony statute relieve burden however alimony obligation enforceable state contract law independent challenged alimony statute hardly argue injury caused challenged statute invalidation statute bring relief accordingly exercise federal judicial power behalf gratuitous thus inconsistent art iii limitation simon eastern kentucky welfare rights supra conclusion supported linda richard supra issue linda state statute subjecting criminal prosecution parent failing support children state courts consistently construed statute apply solely parents legitimate children impose duty support parents illegitimate children mother illegitimate child claiming discriminatory application statute violated equal protection clause sought injunction directing local district attorney prosecute father child violating statute held lacked standing raise claim doubt suffered injury stemming failure child father contribute support payments made showing failure secure support payments result ed nonenforcement child father statute thus appellant granted requested relief result jailing child father prospect prosecution least future result payment support best termed speculative certainly direct relationship alleged injury claim sought adjudicated previous decisions suggest prerequisite standing absent case ibid ii appellant lack standing somehow cured fact state courts reached decided merits constitutional claim article iii jurisdictional limitation federal courts state transform abstract hypothetical question case controversy merely ruling merits doremus board education held taxpayer lacked requisite financial interest outcome first amendment challenge state statute requiring bible reading public schools dismissing taxpayer appeal adverse ruling state highest held undertake say state may render opinion federal constitutional question even circumstances regarded advisory jurisdiction cast terms case controversy accept basis review basis conclusive disposition issue federal law without review procedure constitute iii article iii courts commissioned roam large gratuitously righting perceived wrongs vindicating claimed rights must await suit one whose advocacy inspired personal stake victory framers wise insistence invoke power federal personally stand profit exercise ensures constitutional issues decided advance necessity complaining party stand shoes whose rights champions obedience rules standing threshold determinants propriety judicial intervention crucial importance constitutional adjudication parties leave halls done undone except constitutional amendment much caesar brutus charles first cromwell congress ensure legislative acts run afoul limitations imposed constitution neither brutus cromwell impose similar discipline right expounding constitution confined cases judiciary nature empowered determine requirements art iii satisfied thus check upon exercise power sense butler stone dissenting think deciding merits appellant constitutional claim exercised art iii requires case therefore dismiss orr appeal authority doremus board education supra farrand records federal convention indeed four different occasions constitutional convention rejected proposal contained virginia plan associate justices counsel revision designed render advice pending legislation suggestions chief justice member privy council assist president president either house congress able request advisory opinions likewise rejected suggests may appellant circuit motion challenging constitutionality statutes construed constituting claim alimony ante notes event state courts challenge appellant standing ground ibid appellant motion made response order show cause judged contempt provides pertinent part wherefore respondent moves order decreeing code alabama title arbitrarily discriminate male spouses thus violation equal protection clause constitution thereby unconstitutional permanent injunction issued continued enforcement statutes decree ordering respondent pay complainant alimony rendered null void app juris statement construed constituting claim alimony beyond state courts challenge appellant standing failure claim entitlement alimony wholly irrelevant concerned question whether orr lacked standing state law bring suit alabama case controversy clause art iii constitutional limitation jurisdiction federal courts see doremus board education appellant standing rendered unassailable allegations alabama law man must maintain wife manner accustomed alimony stipulations reviewed fairness wife incorporated decrees ante interprets allegations argument appellant statute result lower payments part ibid first appellant nowhere argues alimony obligation less statute allegations cited made support appellant contention alabama alimony statutes inspired archaic notions proper role women contention going merits equal protection claim rather standing raise second since alimony obligation fixed agreement parties appellant seriously made argument event third even made argument attributed patently meritless alimony statute definition treats husbands wives presumably therefore husband claiming statute entitled amount sufficient support manner accustomed entitled judicial review fairness alimony stipulation incorporation decree far rendering orr standing unassailable allegations seized upon utterly beside point suggests alabama courts free hold constitutionality divorce decree entered without constitutional objection challenged contempt proceedings reason concern today decision nullify existing alimony obligations alabama males currently order pay alimony however need wait contempt proceedings lodged raise constitutional challenge rather may simply petition relief unconstitutional divorce decree recent cases required showing substantial likelihood relief requested redress injury claimed satisfy second prong constitutional standing requirement duke power carolina environmental study group seizes gratuitous observation linda proper party challenge constitutionality statute parent legitimate child prosecuted statute challenge allege parents illegitimate children may prosecuted statute unfairly discriminates parents legitimate children statement standing challenge discriminatory criminal statute quoted passage faulted clearly parent prosecuted statute satisfy causation requirements standing invalidation statute totally remove prosecuted parent harm instant case however admits today decision may well gratuitous insofar appellant orr concerned warth seldin