Lawyer ex-husband blackmailing ex-wife...need suggestions

[drdna]

What is the name of your state? California

My Finance has a small problem with her ex-husband and I was hoping I could get a few suggestions on what the best route to take is.

A little background first.....
She was married for 3 years (in California) and was the main source of income while her husband looked for work as he was a recent grad from law school. During their 3 years he held only minor jobs while looking for work. She filed for divorce early last year and it was finalized in December last year. Her ex was very upset it was finalized before the start of the new year saying he had not planned that financially. He now has a real job and has to pay taxes.

He has now demanded (via email) that she pay him ~ $800 to make up the difference since they had to file separately. He claims that if they would have filed together it would have saved him $1600 and that she owes him half of that. However, he fails to point out that the main reason he would be saving money on his taxes is that he would get the full benefit of HER education costs (loans) that she still must pay off in full.

The main problem is that he is now a practicing lawyer (in California) and is threatening (via email) to tell her coworkers and others about several skeletons in her closet. This could potentially hurt her at work and make things uncomfortable for her.

Any suggestions on how best to take care of this without paying off his blackmail?

1. Since he is a lawyer can we report him to the bar association for unethical behavior (blackmail) and try to get him either disbarred or suspended in some way?
2. If he does tell anyone about her skeletons in an effort to hurt her financially or emotionally can this be solid grounds for a slander or defamation of character suit?

Thanks in advance for any help and suggestions you can offer.
CD

 

[LdiJ]

What is the name of your state? California

My Finance has a small problem with her ex-husband and I was hoping I could get a few suggestions on what the best route to take is.

A little background first.....
She was married for 3 years (in California) and was the main source of income while her husband looked for work as he was a recent grad from law school. During their 3 years he held only minor jobs while looking for work. She filed for divorce early last year and it was finalized in December last year. Her ex was very upset it was finalized before the start of the new year saying he had not planned that financially. He now has a real job and has to pay taxes.

He has now demanded (via email) that she pay him ~ $800 to make up the difference since they had to file separately. He claims that if they would have filed together it would have saved him $1600 and that she owes him half of that. However, he fails to point out that the main reason he would be saving money on his taxes is that he would get the full benefit of HER education costs (loans) that she still must pay off in full.

The main problem is that he is now a practicing lawyer (in California) and is threatening (via email) to tell her coworkers and others about several skeletons in her closet. This could potentially hurt her at work and make things uncomfortable for her.

Any suggestions on how best to take care of this without paying off his blackmail?

1. Since he is a lawyer can we report him to the bar association for unethical behavior (blackmail) and try to get him either disbarred or suspended in some way?
2. If he does tell anyone about her skeletons in an effort to hurt her financially or emotionally can this be solid grounds for a slander or defamation of character suit?

Thanks in advance for any help and suggestions you can offer.
CD

Giving in to blackmail is NEVER wise. If I were in her position I would confess "all" to my employer and explain why. I have to admit though that it makes no sense to me that someone who FINALLY got a job as an attorney would even quible over 800.00 bucks....or even risk their position by attempting blackmail.

 

[drdna]

I agree with you on the not giving in part. In fact she has no plans to pay the blackmail. Not only is money a little tight, but its mainly a principal thing.
Additionally, her skeleton is out of the closet at work and she is dealing with it in a positive manner.
My main interest is to find out if we can report him to the bar association and expect any type of results. Also, do you think there would be ground for a slander suit if he tries to follow through on his threat?

Thanks.
CD

 

[LdiJ]

I agree with you on the not giving in part. In fact she has no plans to pay the blackmail. Not only is money a little tight, but its mainly a principal thing.
Additionally, her skeleton is out of the closet at work and she is dealing with it in a positive manner.
My main interest is to find out if we can report him to the bar association and expect any type of results. Also, do you think there would be ground for a slander suit if he tries to follow through on his threat?

Thanks.
CD

Maybe...maybe not...as far as the bar is concerned or any potential lawsuit. If she can stop him cold its probably not worth the effort. She would have to prove that he actually "harmed" her....you can't sue someone just for being a jerk.

 

[drdna]

thanks for the info. my hope is that he will leave her alone if she points out to him that its not worth him risking his new job over this.