But that is not the case. All the legislators changed in North Carolina was to make it a bit harder to sue a spouse's lover. As of October 1, 2009 if the extramarital affair started after a married couple is separated, the alienation of affection law cannot be used.
What's next? Considering a man cave as part of an alienation of affection lawsuit? Apparently, for some ... yes.
Commenting about Brad Pitt's man cave, John Harlow wrote: "There is a dark side to man caves, however. Marriage guidance counsellors used to say they helped couples by providing "his-and-her space". But, according to the Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, women are now blaming them for "alienation of affection" in divorce cases."
Source: John Harlow. "Brad Pitt leads lads' retreat into man cave." Timesonline.co.uk. 10/04/2009.
The antiquated alienation of affection laws are ridiculous and need to be scrapped. In 2003, "The Missouri Supreme Court struck down the state's "alienation of affection" law, saying that "stealing" the love of a married person is an arcane legal doctrine ... Alienation of affection is grounded in the outdated idea that married people have property interests in each other and its present-day interpretation does nothing to preserve marriages, Judge Richard Teitelman wrote for the majority. The lawsuits are usually filed after the marriage is broken, so revenge - not reconciliation - is often the primary motive, Teitelman wrote."
Source: "Court Slams 'Alienation of Affection' Law." RedOrbit.com. 6/18/2003.
Your thoughts?