Can you sue someone with just an verbal contract?

Golden

simple. i want my fence painted. i have a verbal agreement with you to paint the fence. you're a lazy slob and do not do the work, even though i've paid you money. i take you to court. no legal binding instrument? not so. it can be shown that i paid you money. it can be shown that you started the work. this is evidence of a contract. you lose. pay up.

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catwomanmeeeeow

Yes, verbal contracts are just as valid. The only hard part is proving it, if it's your word against theirs.

elizabeth

yes you can, my daddy is a lawyer and often gets people like that.

Bastion

They do it all the time on the court tv shows, but nobody ever wins because there is no evidence.
P.S. A verbal agreement IS a legally binding contract.

origamimark

You can, but it is going to be harder than if you had something in writing.

pink cupcake

do you have witnesses if not it will be pretty hard

marcella l

i would think you can in some instances..but not all, and its always best to document, document document.....proof is always a good thing to have when you go to court..

ornery and mean

Can you sue? Yes!

The real question is ... can you win? (probably not!)

Joe N

England & Wales - yes, you can. Your difficulty is in proving who said what.

Vipguy

A contract may be made:

1) In writing
2) Verbally
3) By the conduct pf the parties

Even if the contract is made verbally still protects you under the law of contract. After all when you fo shopping you made verbal contracts all the time and contracts by conduct. If these were not enforceable at law we would all be in trouble including the shopkeepers!

So, an oral contract is enforceable like any other. The problem with them is in the absence of a written agreement it is harder to prove. You need evidence. Consider the following:

1. Do you have any witnesses?
2. Do you have any receipts?
3. Was anymore there when the contract was made?
4. How did you pay? If you paid by cheque, credit card or other method then this all serves as evidence.

Good luck with things!

genghis1947

You can sue anyone for anything. But winning is another matter. Verbal contracts are difficult to win. First point is you have to prove a contract existed. You are really at the mercy of the defendant admitting to the contract and amount. If they deny it, what proof can you offer? Likely none and the case will be dismissed.

laughter_every_day

Certain types of contracts must be in writing to be enforced. Most commonly, is contracts concerning real estate. otherwse a verbal contract, if proved, is enforcable. You should note, however, that not all agreements are contracts.

Mike T

Yes, you can sue someone over a verbal contract. Unless, for the type of transaction, the law states that contracts must be written (almost any real estate transaction, for example) to be enforcible. That being said you do need to have some way of proving your verbal contract. Without proof "a verbal contract isn't worth the paper its written on,"

mockhare

Yes, the problem is it becomes your word against his. So it's not worth it unless you have a credible witness to the agreement

kay

You can if you have a witness to verify that yes a verbal contract was indeed made. Otherwise probably not. Oh, and a video recording would work as well.

onecowboyjake

in many legal jurisdictions, verbal agreements are considered to be legally binding ...courts are also legally empowered to help disputants (that is a word isn't it?) interpret the terms and abide by the courts decision. However, at the same time, the legal system does'nt always assist the plaintiff in recovering damages if the defendant still refuses to pay... and if he hires a collector to collect his money and the guy uses "enforcer" methods to get it for him HE can be charged with legal offences.

witchello@btinternet.com

Depends what the nature of the subject was

i tell it like it is

most lawyers will take a case with physicall evidence. now,if the person admits it,of course you can. now,if they say they didn't, and you dont have witnessess,you prob aint got ****

ha ha apple ha

no,
unless someone was there seeing and hearin the contract

Gunner

Yes, in some states. Proof is another story.

shellanswerman

Look up "Statute of Frauds" here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statute_of_Frauds

It will tell you the types of contracts in which a writing is required. Otherwise, the defendant can successfully argue that there is no contract, and the plaintiff will not recover.

Caring girl.

Steven A

You don't use a verbal contract to sue someone.

sweeti s

no you cant sue someone with just a verbal contact...

hockey_7

i dont think so maybe

Good Daze Ahead

I'll bet you $50,000 that you can't.

Motley Crue!!!

haha no

if that was the case
i'd be gettin money

left & right

Susan

We made a verbal agreement with a mobile home mover to move an older home to our property. He never said anything about dangers or conditions of movement. He agreed to tear down, set up, and tie down. When he came close to our property he damaged majorly our mobile home. He then said that he was not responsible for any damages occuring after he got off the main highway. We have the receipt when we paid him (which we should not have done). Took him to small claim court and won. Then he went to a lawyer to appeal. We have pictures and witnesses. Would you say he was responsible? He only had liability insurance required by the state.

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