RALEIGH, N.C. — A North Carolina man has won a $750,000 lawsuit after suing his ex-wife's lover.
The lawsuit was filed under the alienation of affection law, which still exists in six states.
"I filed this case because I believe it's very important that people understand that sanctity of marriage is important, especially in this day and age when people question everyone's morals," said Kevin Howard. "People question everyone's liability of a person, and the state backed me up on it."
If the defendant cannot pay, it will turn into debt owed and appear on his credit report.
That's one of the reasons some attorneys question why the law still remains.
"Are we backing up the court system for a week or two weeks to have the jury selection, jury trial and for the plaintiff to spend tens of thousands of dollars to end up getting a piece of paper they're never going to collect against?" one lawyer asked.
Alienation of affection dates back to English law and is meant to protect the institution of marriage. In North Carolina, anyone can file one of these lawsuits against the person who broke up their marriage, but the accuser has to be able to prove it.
The North Carolina Supreme Court backed up the law in a ruling nine years ago.
In June, WSOC-TV reported on a similar case filed by a Mooresville man. He sued an oral surgeon for allegedly having a yearslong affair with his wife.
A jury awarded him $250,000 in damages for alienation of affection, $544,000 for criminal conversation and a total of $1.5 million for punitive damages in both complaints.
Cox Media Group
