N.C. man files alienation of affection suit against online business

“A Charlotte man blames the breakup of his marriage not only on the other guy, but also on the online infidelity service that he says made it happen. … North Carolina remains one of only a half-dozen states that still awards punitive damages when a marriage fails and someone other than the husband and wife is to blame. The so-called alienation of affection/criminal conversation laws have survived numerous efforts by judges, lawyers and some legislators to repeal them, and in recent years they have led to million-dollar judgments for wronged spouses.” [Charlotte Observer]

4 Comments

  • So what’s the problem? By its own account, the company’s whole raison d’être was to arrange adulterous affairs, and therefore adversely affect other people’s marriages. This is abominable behaviour, and they should be held accountable for it.
    I cannot understand what your website has against alienation of affection laws. Marriage is sacred, and persuading your spouse to leave you is one of the worst things a third party can do to you. What really should be happening is that the remainder of the 50 states should bring back such legislation.
    Or do you consider that adultery and breaking up somebody else’s marriage is a trivial action?

  • How about the idea that people are responsible for their own actions. If your wife decides to have an affair that is her choice, not the choice of her lover and certainly not the choice of the web site or friend that introduced them.

    Personally I don’t see how a third party can ever be held responsible for the breakup of a marriage. All the straying wife/husband had to do was say ‘no’.

  • The lover could have said “No”. The owners of the website didn’t need to set up a site specifically aimed at facilitating adultery.
    Of course, the friend who introduced them is clear – unless the friend specifically acted as a matchmaker.
    In other words, we are all responsible for our actions, and when we set out deliberately to do wrong we must expect to be held accountable.

  • […] (Hat Tip: TortsProf Blog / Overlawyered). […]