§ 25-21,188.Alienation of affections; criminal conversation; actions barred.

Section 25-21,188 eliminates two long-standing tort theories rooted in marital relationships. Alienation of affections traditionally let a spouse sue a third party accused of destroying the marital relationship, while criminal conversation allowed a spouse to sue over a third party’s adultery with the other spouse, treated as a civil wrong in its own right. Both theories trace back to a view of marriage as creating property-like interests one spouse could sue to protect.

This section brings both theories to an end in Nebraska. No cause of action for alienation of affections or criminal conversation may be commenced after January 9, 1986. The statute is brief, and its effect is direct: whatever conduct might once have supported one of these claims, a Nebraska court will not entertain a suit brought on either theory after that date.