North Carolina Bill to Amend Law on Spousal Suits Reaches Gov. Perdue

Legislators have agreed to alter a North Carolina law that allows scorned spouses to sue and collect damages for stolen affection and adultery.

The House voted 63-48 last week to give final legislative approval to a three-year time limit on lawsuits alleging alienation of affection. Gov. Beverly Perdue must now decide whether to sign the bill into law.

North Carolina is one of only about a half-dozen states that still allow a spouse to sue their wayward partner’s lover for stolen affection.

The bill would stop a spouse from claiming their mate’s love was stolen because of amorous acts committed after separation. Jilted spouses also could not sue a business.