Rubenstein v. Rubenstein

After separating over disagreements about their child's psychiatric treatment, Mrs. Rubenstein (defendant) pressured Mr. Rubenstein (plaintiff) to transfer jointly held property solely to her, allegedly threatening him with gangster violence, arsenic poisoning, and arrest -- threats Mr. Rubenstein found especially credible given that his wife's father was imprisoned for murder involving an "arsenic ring." Mr. Rubenstein eventually transferred the property and later sued to recover it on grounds of duress; the trial court dismissed the case and the appellate court affirmed, prompting his further appeal.