Q: Can a person be guilty of embezzling or extorting money from their spouse?
Specifically, can a person refuse to provide paperwork that prevents their spouse from losing their home unless their spouse pays them a lot of money? I need to refinance my home per the terms of a real estate contract but my estranged wife living out-of-state is refusing to sign a Sole & Separate affidavit unless I pay her thousands of dollars. Is that a crime?
A: Probably not, and especially not if the law allows her to negotiate in a family matter, which it most certainly does. Seek advice from a family lawyer about all of this.
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