Divorced Woman Sues 'Other Woman' & Wins $9M

North Carolina-based divorcee Cynthia Shackelford successfully invoked a seldom-used law to sue the woman who allegedly was responsible for her divorce, as reported by CBS News. Meanwhile, ex-husband Allan Shackelford insists that his relationship with the other woman was not the reason the marriage failed.

Regardless, Ms. Shackelford was able to prove that Anne Lundquist broke up her marriage and was awarded $9 million: $5 million in compensatory damages and another $4 million in punitive damages.

The law is called "alienation of affection" and has been overturned in all states except North Carolina and six others, including Illinois. It's a remnant of common law that is rarely used, but it allows spouses (or ex-spouses) to sue the person he or she believes is responsible for ending a marriage.

Obviously it takes two to tango, but CBS reporters discuss how the law dates back to when "a wife was considered property that could be stolen." In this case, Ms. Shackelford argued that Ms. Lundquist "stole" the affection of her husband.

No doubt divorce attorneys in Chicago are aware of the archaic law, but it's unclear how often it is used in Illinois. Family law attorney Tina Schuchman told CBS reporters she believes the law has outlived its usefulness:

"It's ridiculous. It's absolutely ridiculous. And the trend is more and more toward shutting it down."

Mr. Shackelford disputes his ex-wife's claims that she wasn't planning on divorcing or that the affair is fully to blame for the breakup. In a post to the local paper, cited by CBS, he said she "wanted to divorce him at least two years before [I] began a relationship with Anne Lindquist."

Ms. Lundquist is appealing the judgment, according to The Washington Post.

You might not receive a $9 million judgment for an "alienation of affection" claim, but it may be worthwhile to ask a divorce attorney in Chicago about the law if you feel like your spouse was "stolen" by another.

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