Known as "heart balm torts", North Carolina is one of the few remaining states which allows an aggrieved spouse to sue a third party (paramour) for interfering in his or her marital relationship.

Alienation of affection is the tortious destruction of one spouse's love and affection for the other. While this claim is typically raised against a paramour, others can also be liable for alienation of affection.

Criminal conversation is the act of having sexual relations with a married person - even after separation.

While alienation of affection and criminal conversation often go hand in hand, they are not necessarily the same thing. Alienation of affection claims do not require sexual relations, while criminal conversation is just the sex.