Reason number 247 not to cheat on your spouse: They might sue the person you cheated with! According to CNN, more and more people are turning to a law that dates back to 1864 called the “Alienation of Affection” law. It’s basically a way for people who’ve been cheated on, to get even more money than they would out of a divorce. How? Because they can sue their adulterous spouse AND the person they cheated with!

The Alienation of Affection law came about because, back then, women weren’t allowed to own money or property. Whatever they had belonged to their husband or father. So, men decided they needed a way to legally go after the money of the men that their wives cheated with. In most places the law has been off the books for decades, but in several U.S states, including Hawaii, Illinois and Utah, it’s going strong.

The suits are so popular in North Carolina that lawyers advertise them as a specialty! About 200 AOA lawsuits are filed there every year. In one case, a man got $1.4 million from his wife’s boyfriend. In another, a woman won a $2 million settlement against her husband’s girlfriend. Obviously, there are better ways to deal with conflict in your marriage than cheating on your spouse. Counseling with a licensed therapist can help you resolve conflicts, and rebuild your relationship.

If the two of you ultimately still love each other, marriage counseling has a good chance of working. Cheating is never the answer. If you’re marriage is on the rocks and you’re looking into couples counseling check out the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy at AAMFT.org.