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Q: Can I sue for intimidation via threats of court action without an agreement?
I unofficially helped someone with their business under the table. After a falling out, they started threatening to take me to court as an intimidation tactic. The threats were made in writing and over text, and there have been no agreements or prior contracts between us. How should I handle these threats, and can I take any legal action against them for using this intimidation tactic?
A:
It’s unsettling to have someone threaten you with court action, especially when there’s no real basis for it. In general, people are allowed to say they plan to take someone to court, even if they don’t follow through, but using those threats repeatedly or aggressively to intimidate or harass you can cross into **harassment or coercion**. Since you didn’t have a written agreement or contract, it’s unlikely they have any legal grounds to sue you, which makes their threats appear more like an attempt to pressure or scare you than a legitimate legal dispute. Keeping calm and not engaging emotionally is the best first step.
You’ve already done something very important by keeping their written and text threats. Save those messages, emails, and any other communications as evidence in case the behavior escalates. If the threats become frequent, threatening, or defamatory, you can file a **police report for harassment** or seek a **civil restraining order**. If they’re spreading false claims about you to others, you may also have grounds for a **defamation claim**. For now, avoid responding to their messages and block them on social media or text if possible to minimize contact.
If they ever do attempt to take you to court, you can show that there was no agreement or obligation between you and that the claims are baseless. But since this appears to be intimidation rather than a legitimate legal dispute, your main focus should be on protecting yourself and documenting everything. If the harassment continues or worsens, bringing the evidence to law enforcement or a legal advisor can help you take formal action. You deserve to feel safe and not be bullied through empty threats or manipulation.
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