Be very careful with that leverage. Threatening criminal prosecution unless someone cooperates in a civil matter (such as a probate) can be considered extortion.
What are the boundary lines. It would seem that there should be some degree of latitude to charge or not based upon a person's actions. After all, if a person bounces a check but makes good on it, that would not be considered a criminal offense, but bouncing a check and attempting to skate would be. If someone bounces a check, would it be untoward of the recipient to tell that person that they will press charges unless the check-writer makes good?
To my mind, the proper line should be restitution, including costs. Is there any legal definition for such things?