Emily Rubenstein Law Featured in A&E on Financial Abuse in High-Asset Relationships: The Erik Kramer Case
A Closer Look at Financial abuse in High-Asset Relationships
Emily Rubenstein, founder of Emily Rubenstein Law, was recently quoted in an A&E article examining allegations of financial exploitation during marriage, also known as financial infidelity, involving former NFL quarterback Erik Kramer.
In the article, Rubenstein explains:
“Financial abuse can be very subtle and insidious. We sometimes see financial manipulation sit at the intersection of family law…When financial misconduct occurs, the focus is often on restoring the marital estate or making the affected party whole.”
This observation reflects a broader issue that arises in many family law matters, particularly those involving complex financial structures or periods of vulnerability.
Financial Abuse Is Often Subtle, Not Obvious
Financial abuse is frequently misunderstood as overt misconduct, such as hidden accounts or clear theft. In practice, it is often far more nuanced.
It may involve:
One party assuming increased control over finances
Decisions being made without full transparency
Shifting financial authority during periods of stress or dependency
Slow drip of transactions that are difficult to detect
These dynamics often develop gradually. From the outside, they may appear routine or even cooperative, which is part of what makes them difficult to identify early.
Where Complexity Comes Into Play
In higher-asset matters, the issue is rarely limited to whether funds were improperly taken. The analysis often centers on:
Whether there was informed consent
How financial decisions were structured and documented
The extent to which one party meaningfully understood or participated in those decisions
These cases are rarely black and white. In many relationships, both parties have access to accounts and use shared funds for everyday expenses, which can blur the line between ordinary use and potential misconduct.
The Role of Vulnerability
Financial manipulation often arises during periods of increased vulnerability, including:
Serious health issues
Grief or major life transitions
Cognitive or emotional strain
That vulnerability does not always eliminate capacity, but it can affect judgment, reliance, and decision-making in ways that become highly relevant when financial conduct is later evaluated.
According to Johnathan Walton, a public speaker and host of The Quarterback and the Con Artist podcast, which explores Kramer’s story, the alleged financial abuse occurred after Kramer survived a 2015 suicide attempt that resulted in significant brain injury.
During this period, Walton reports that Kramer’s ex, Cortney Baird assumed control over Kramer’s finances, including taking cash advances, forging checks, and withdrawing funds from his $4 million trust. The parties had previously dated briefly and were described as having a turbulent relationship. Baird later moved into Kramer’s home under the guise of assisting him.
The parties married in 2016. In 2018, Kramer began to recognize the situation and took steps to address it. The marriage was ultimately annulled by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge.
In February 2020, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed criminal charges against Baird, including multiple felony counts of identity theft, forgery, and fraud.
How Family Law Addresses These Issues
While some situations may involve criminal allegations, family law focuses on a different set of objectives.
The emphasis is typically on:
Tracing financial activity
Evaluating whether conduct was appropriate under the circumstances
Restoring balance where inequities have occurred
The family law process is civil, not criminal. So, the family law piece is less about punishment and more about resolution. It’s about understanding what happened financially, obtaining the right experts such as forensic accountants, building a record with the right evidence and exhibits, and addressing its impact in a practical, legally sound way.
Why This Matters in Los Angeles Family Law Cases
Issues involving financial manipulation are not limited to extreme or high-profile cases.
They can arise in a wide range of matters, particularly where there are:
Significant assets
Complex income structures
Long-standing financial interdependence between partners
Because these dynamics often develop quietly over time, they are frequently overlooked until later in the process, when the financial picture is more closely examined.
A Strategic Perspective
Financial infidelity, manipulation, or abuse does not always present in obvious ways.
It can exist within otherwise functional relationships and may only become clear in hindsight.
Understanding how these dynamics actually unfold, and approaching them with a clear, strategic framework, is often critical to achieving a fair and effective resolution.
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Emily Rubenstein Law PC is a full service divorce and family law firm. We proudly serve Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Culver City, the South Bay, Glendale, Pasadena, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Encino and all of Los Angeles County.
Give us a call or check out our website:
(310) 750-0827 | www.emilyrubensteinlaw.com