Community property has weird rules. This is one of them.

Shelly had no choice. Legally she had to ask for every penny that V received unlawfully. Every penny.

She had to. From a legal perspective, she had to ask for all property she knew V had received.

Doesn’t mean she’s not the victim of a ruthless blackmailer.

(1) Community property = both spouses co-own the money and property. It’s not that Husband owns 50% and Wife owns 50%. (Or H&H or W&W). Each has an undivided interest in the whole.

I think "what makes the marriage work" is they forgive each other and work on things.