[where_do_i_live]

If you don't have a written contract, and everything was verbal - you don't have a chance whatsoever to sue and come out victorious.

It sounds like unless you can pressure the individuals involved, a judge will be a sore disappointment. Feel free to talk to a lawyer, but no lawyer will take this case unless you pay them upfront and they will likely tell you that you are going to lose this and its not worth your time/money.

[nate_meurer]

Any agreement, whether written or verbal, is legally binding so long as it's mutual, voluntary, and not fraudulent.

Pure verbal agreements are obviously much more difficult to evidence, but any physical evidence whatsoever that indicates the existence and form of an agreement -- even text messages between the two of you -- will readily bind the parties in court.

[xstartup]

Nothing having a contract does not mean everything is lost. Many people are giving this advise, "oh but you don't have a contract".

Even if you don't have a contract It does not mean someone can keep your money.

As long as you can prove it's your money which is unlawfully kept hostage, you can sue.