Alienation Of Affection Law

     I understand that people like to hold on to the past but this is outrageous.  You know how there are still some old laws that were never abolished?  The Alienation of Affection Law dates as far back as 1864 and it is still being enforced today.  There are still seven states in these United States of America that recognize this law.  The states that cling to this law are Mississippi, South Dakota, Hawaii, Illinois, Utah, New Mexico, and my home state of North Carolina.  The law is a suit that can be filed by a spouse against a third party who seems to be responsible for the break up of their marriage by participating in an adulterous affair with his or her spouse.  So it is a law that basically says the third party is the cause of the divorce. I couldn't believe this when I heard it?  I cheat on you so you file for a divorce and you legally can blame the other woman not me.  And you are able to take this other womans money when you win the lawsuit.  I don't agree with this scapegoat mentality at all..

     The reason that this ridiculous law even came up is the fact that a celebrity could be on the wrong end of one a lawsuits.  The 2004 "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino could become a litigant in an Alienation of Affection suit.  Paula Cook accuses Ms. Barrino of having an affair with  her husband Antwuan Cook.  Pictures of them were taken and they are believed to have been in a relationship.  If Ms. Barrino can prove that she didn't know that Mr. Cook was married at the time, then she might have a chance to walk away innocent. If the claim is legitimate and the wife wins, then Mrs. Cook stands to gain a nice lump sum of money from the accused.

     There are actually precedents in this type of proceeding.  There's an estimate of 200 claims are filed every year in North Carolina.  In 2001, Christine Cooper was on the winning end of a $2 million decision against husband's alleged mistress.  The most recent case was in March 2010.  Cynthia Shackleford was awarded $9 million after suing the other woman for allegedly breaking up her 33 year old marriage.  Bills have been introduced to abolish this law but the bills were never passed by the General Assembly.

    No way would I agree or support this law because it is the responsibility of the spouses to ensure their relationship is intact.  If the spouse decides to cheat knowing all of the consequences, then they should be mature enough to handle the end results.  They were not forced nor obligated to breaking their vows of marriage.  It is a selfish act and nobody elses fault.  This is just a way for the person who was wronged to get revenge. What do you think?