Oberstein v. Oberstein

The facts in this case present a sordid story, involving not only the litigants, but also two attorneys, W. R. Berkson of New York City, and Morris Hecht of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Mr. and Mrs. Oberstein lived in a Fifth Avenue apartment in New York. They had been married for many years, and had a daughter, Patricia, 17 years of age, when, in January, 1947, Mr. Oberstein announced to his wife that he wanted a divorce. He had become infatuated with another woman. When Mrs. Oberstein refused to consider a divorce, Mr. Oberstein moved from the apartment, ceased paying a $150 weekly allowance to his wife, and used the daughter, Patricia, to convey his threats to the effect that if Mrs. Oberstein did not obtain a divorce, he would give her no money.