Legal Question in Family Law in Tennessee

Re: adultery

Sorry to disappoint you after the message from Mr. Guth mentioned the cause of action of "alienation of affection", but that cause of action no longer exists in the state of Tennessee (or in most states).

Tennessee's courts ended that cause of action about 16 years ago and since then you have not been able to sue another person just because they have had an affair with your spouse or because they have somehow caused your spouse to lose interest in you or spend less time with you or money on you.

Re: adultery

Your husband committed adultery, not the other woman.

Re: adultery

Within the law, a cause of action exists for "alienation of affection." However, these adultery-related actions are rarely prosecuted, because the parties prefer to fight it out in divorce court, rather than pursue a mistress. Most of your damages are going to be in the form of mental suffering and anguish, which unfortunately, are not the kind of quantifiable out-of-pocket expenses that courts generally recognize. You should not bring suit unless you can find at least one Tennessee appellate case that holds Tennessee recognizes such a cause of action and has awarded the victimized spouse damages. A librarian at a law library could help you with this research, or you might try the Internet.