Can I get this lady arrested for extortion?

Question

My father is selling his home. However, he found out that the people that sold it to him did not properly have it go through probate. (He still has one more payment until the house is payed for. He payed every payment ontime.)

He called the previous owner and asked her to mail him back the paperwork. However, the woman complaine that she had a $3000 lawyer bill for the attorney that corrected the previous mistakes that were made in probate.

She told my Dad that it is his responsibility to pay for part if it. She said that if he didn't pay him at least $1000 she wouldn't send back the paper work. It is very important for my Dad to have the paperwork back because he is trying to close on the house soon andthe prospective buyers might back out if it is prolonged.

So now my father feels like it is no choice so he is going to pay her $1000. His real estate agent said that it was illegal and was extortion but he said "It is like opening a whole new can of worms."

Answer 1

What paper work do you need.

Go to the registry of deeds in the country and go around this woman.

Answer 2

sounds basically like a civil problem and a law enforcement agency would not file extortion charges...

It is the responsibility of both the buyer of the house (your dad originally) and the seller (old owner) to make sure the house is free and clear of any liens on the property - so it would be something that your dad was responsible to check on prior to buying also....most states and real estate dealings will not close if there is a pending judgment or liens against the property.