What states are homewrecker laws in?

Asked by: Dawn Gerhold  |  Last update: March 11, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (57 votes)

Have you ever wanted to sue someone you believe broke up your marriage -- a "homewrecker?" Well, in six states -- Hawaii, Illinois, New Mexico, North Carolina, Mississippi, South Dakota, and Utah -- you can. In those six states, the "Alienation of Affection" claim is an option.

What states honor the homewrecker law?

The tort is also recognized in Hawaii, Illinois, Mississippi, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Utah, but it seems to be often litigated only in North Carolina and (to an apparently smaller extent) in Mississippi[.]

In what states can you sue your spouse's lover?

Today, only six states still allow you to sue a third party for interfering with your marriage:
  • Hawaii.
  • Mississippi.
  • New Mexico.
  • North Carolina.
  • South Dakota.
  • Utah.

Can I sue the woman who broke up my marriage?

The possibility of suing another woman for destroying a marriage depends on the jurisdiction in which you reside and the laws applicable in that jurisdiction. Some jurisdictions may permit individuals to pursue legal action against a third party for alienation of affection or criminal conversation.

What states allow you to sue for alienation of affection?

Sutton, 422 SE 2d 750 (1992), abolishing the heart balm action for alienation of affection.
  • Hawaii. In Hawaii, the plaintiff has to prove his spouse did not seek the defendant, and has to show a lack of any marital fault.
  • Mississippi. ...
  • New Mexico. ...
  • North Carolina. ...
  • South Dakota. ...
  • Utah.

You Can Sue Your Marriage's Homewrecker in some states

25 related questions found

Is sexting considered adultery in Florida?

No, sexting is not adultery as defined by criminal laws. Adultery crimes must involve sexual intercourse. However, sexting could be used as evidence in an adultery prosecution or divorce proceedings (if allowed).

What is the homewrecker law in Alabama?

The 'Homewrecker' law, which is also called the alienation of affection lawsuit, is a law that enables someone to sue a third party for damages incurred due to the break up of their marriage. At the time of writing this, however, legislation has been passed to abolish alienation of affection laws in Alabama.

What are my rights if my husband cheated on me?

So, to be clear: the court does not afford you specific rights if there was cheating but infidelity can tip the scales in your favor and impact your case. This may include changing property division and also allow for certain temporary injunctions while your divorce for cheating case is pending.

How successful are alienation of affection cases?

The success rate of alienation of affection lawsuits varies widely, largely depending on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances of each case. Alienation of affection is a somewhat controversial concept in family law, and some jurisdictions do not even recognize it as a valid cause for a lawsuit.

Can I sue my girlfriend for not marrying me?

Current Trends in "Breach of Promise to Marry" Lawsuits

Many states have abolished them completely through modern statutes. However, a good number of states still allow for such suits, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Illinois, Hawaii, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Mexico, South Dakota, Georgia, and Utah.

In what states is it illegal to cheat on your spouse?

California is an example of a state that does not criminalize adultery. Like many other states, California is a no-fault state.

How hard is it to prove alienation of affection?

If you're filing a claim, you have to prove that you had a happy marriage before the person alienated your spouse's affection. This means that, for your claim to be successful, you'd have to prove that your spouse's affair was the sole reason for your spouse being alienated.

Can you sue your spouse for financial infidelity?

Suing a spouse for financial infidelity specifically is not a straightforward legal action under most family law frameworks. However, during divorce proceedings, a spouse can pursue legal remedies if financial infidelity has led to the dissipation or concealment of marital assets.

Which state has the toughest divorce laws?

1. Vermont – Vermont comes in as the worst state for divorce because it presents a triple threat of annoyances.

How does suing for emotional distress work?

In an emotional distress claim, proving that the defendant acted with intent is key. This means showing that they knew or should have known their actions would cause serious distress. Your lawyer will start by gathering evidence such as emails or text messages, which can be crucial in establishing this intentionality.

Which states are not marital property states?

There are nine community property states: Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. In these states, all of a married couple's property is classified as either community or separate property.

Is sexting considered adultery in NC?

Legally speaking, adultery does not include: Sending of Explicit Messages – Often called sexting, this includes sending someone else graphic images or text of a sexual nature. Dating Someone Else – Your spouse is not legally committing adultery if they join someone else on a romantic date.

Can I sue the other woman for destroying my marriage?

In order to open an alienation of affection lawsuit, however, you'll need to prove that the marriage was happy and that love existed between both spouses; the third party destroyed that love; and the third party intended to destroy the marriage and the love between both spouses.

What states can you file alienation of affection?

Proving an Alienation of Affection Claim

Currently, the tort of alienation of affection is available in six states: Hawaii, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Utah. The elements necessary to prove your case will depend on the laws of each state.

Can a spouse go to jail for cheating?

In practical terms, committing adultery poses very little threat of prosecution, but it could have civil consequences, such as impacting custody battles during a divorce, says Melissa Murray, law professor at the University of California-Berkeley.

Can I sue my spouse for cheating?

The current law means you cannot sue your spouse for having an affair or press criminal charges. However, there are exceptions if the situation is extreme or turns violent.

Does a cheating wife get alimony?

Adultery can be taken into account when deciding the amount of alimony to be granted. In some cases, a spouse can be denied alimony if they have committed adultery, or be obligated to provide alimony if they engaged in infidelity. However, adultery alone will not decide the spousal support argument.

How do I sue a homewrecker?

To win a lawsuit for intentional infliction of emotional distress, you must show that:
  1. the defendant engaged in extreme and outrageous conduct, and.
  2. through that conduct, the defendant intentionally or recklessly caused you severe emotional distress.

What is the Slayer law in Alabama?

Like many other states, Alabama has a “slayer stat- ute” prohibiting any person from benefitting finan- cially from the intentional killing of another person.

What is the Stark law in Alabama?

Stark Law bars physicians from referring patients to designated health services performed by an individual or entity with which they or an immediate family member have a financial relationship.