Schneider v. Mistele

Alienation of affections and criminal conversation are closely related causes of action, usually brought to court on a single complaint. However, they are separate causes of action. The elements required to prove alienation of affections are (1) wrongful conduct on the part of the defendant, (2) plaintiff’s loss of affection or consortium of the spouse, (3) causal connection between such conduct and such loss. Such wrongful conduct must be the controlling cause. The elements of a cause of action for criminal conversation are (1) an actual marriage between the spouses, and (2) sexual…