Offering a 10% settlement on a house and then increasing it to 20%, conditional on dropping a court case, can certainly be seen as another form of coercive financial manipulation. The intention behind such an offer appears to be a way of controlling or pressuring the other party to make a decision that benefits the person making the offer, often at the expense of fairness.

This kind of situation can involve:

1. Undue pressure: The increase in the offer, conditional on dropping a legal case, could be a way to create urgency or make the other person feel like they are in a position where they have to agree, despite the terms being unfavorable. This can be manipulative and stressful for the recipient, especially if the case could result in a more equitable or larger settlement in the long run.
2. Financial coercion: The condition that the court case be dropped in exchange for an increased settlement is an example of financial coercion. It’s a way of offering money in exchange for giving up a legal right, which is unfair and undermines the other person’s ability to seek justice or fair compensation. The offer could be seen as a way to avoid accountability or to control the situation without fully addressing the legal or financial matters at hand.
3. Manipulating emotions: The idea of offering more money in exchange for dropping the case is often intended to make the other party feel like they’re getting something, but in reality, the “deal” is weighted heavily in favor of the person offering the settlement. It could be seen as a tactic to avoid a longer, more costly legal battle or to avoid a potentially less favorable outcome in court.

If all financial abuse is documented by solicitors, this is crucial evidence that will help in legal proceedings. It can demonstrate a pattern of behavior and strengthen the case against the manipulative actions. Your legal team should be able to use this evidence to negotiate a fairer settlement or to pursue any remaining claims.

If you’re in the process of dealing with this, it’s important to stay focused on your rights and what would benefit you in the long term. Having strong legal support and emotional support during this time is essential, and it’s good that you’ve documented everything.