Alienation of affection cases can pay off big
17.05.12
By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Alienation of affection cases can sometimes result in hefty awards for the scorned, while others resolve themselves via mediation.
Here are a few cases from Rowan and beyond:
• The preacher’s wife
In 2006, Salisbury attorney James Davis filed an alienation of affection/criminal conversation lawsuit on behalf of Julie Buchanan, who accused Jennifer Gobble of stealing her husband, Michael.
The Buchanans had been married for more than 16 years and had two children. In the fall of 2004, they joined a church where Jennifer Gobble was the pastor’s wife.
The case was referred to mediation and, while awaiting further court proceedings, Gobble became pregnant with Michael Buchanan’s baby. (They later married.)
In August 2007, a jury awarded Julie Buchanan $305,000 — $50,000 for criminal conversation, $75,000 for alienation of affection and $180,000 for punitive damages.
Source: Salisbury Post