Greensboro Alienation of Affection Attorney

North Carolina is one of a very limited number of states which recognize torts dealing with the interference of marital relations – alienation of affections and criminal conversation. If your marriage has been destroyed by adultery and you wish to bring a claim against the third-party paramour or you have been sued for these marital interference torts, our knowledgeable and experienced trial attorneys can provide you with aggressive and effective representation. We have represented numerous individuals in Guilford County, including Greensboro and High Point, who have been faced with marital interference torts.

Criminal Conversation is actually a civil matter, not a crime. A person becomes liable for the tort of criminal conversation when s/he has engaged in sexual intercourse with a married person. A jury can award both compensatory and punitive damages. An individual can be liable for criminal conversation even if the married couple was separated at the time of the adulterous act. However, an innocent spouse can not recover from a third-party paramour if the innocent spouse encouraged or consented to the adultery before it took place.

An innocent spouse who wants to pursue a lawsuit for alienation of affections against a third-party must prove (1) that there was a viable marriage based upon genuine love and affection, (2) that the love and affection has been destroyed, and (3) that the wrongful behavior of the third-party was the controlling, but not necessarily the exclusive, cause of the destroyed and alienated love and affection then existing between the spouses. An adulterous act is not a requirement to pursue a lawsuit for alienation of affections. An in-law who encourages one spouse to leave the other may have some liability under this tort. The innocent spouse can recover compensation for loss of aid, loss of support, loss of companionship, emotional distress, and anxiety. Since a jury can consider the projected income of the guilty spouse in determining the damages experienced by the innocent spouse, cases for alienation of affection can involve significant dollar amounts, often reaching into the millions of dollars.

If you are facing a suit for criminal conversation or alienation of affections, our skilled trial attorneys will guide you through the legal process and provide you with vigorous prosecution or defense of these marital interference torts. Set up a consultation with one of our family law attorneys today by calling (336) 274-7898 or contacting us online.