How legal is a verbal agreement?
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How legal is a verbal agreement?
I had a booking agent that came to me to DJ for a specific company on a month-to-month basis. He would get 20% from me each month. During the last year i asked him to step up and book more gigs for me but was more focused on his other clients and not do anything for me. The last month Iworked I dropped him and held his pay. He is now harassing and threatening via phone, text, email, and online FB and Twitter. Does he have a case? And do I have anything I can do with the harassment?
Asked on March 5, 2012 under Business Law, Nevada
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
In many states a verbal agreement especially if there is some act in reliance of the agreement or memorandum referencing the agreement is as valid as a written agreement signed by the parties to the contract.
From what you have written, you by admitting to the hold back of this person's pay acknowledge that there was in fact a verbal agreement for services as to you by this third person. Prior checks paid this person would also be evidence of a prior agreement between you two.
As to the harassment, if you want it to stop, you either pay this person what seems to be owed, or you hire an attorney to file a petition for a restraining order at a considerable cost.
From what you have written, the person who wants to be paid seems to have a good case for money that you owe him. I suggest that you pay this person what is owed and get a full written release for the payment signed by him.
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