It often begins with trust. Two business partners agree to move forward without a written contract. Everything feels secure until the deal falls apart. Profits are questioned, promises are denied, and one side refuses to acknowledge the other’s contributions.
When the contract unravels, it can feel like everything is lost. But it is not too late to fight back. Verbal or handshake agreements can sometimes be enforceable, and with the right legal intervention, you can still protect your rights and your business.
Why Handshake Deals Fall Apart
Handshake agreements may start with good faith, but once money or power enters the picture, things change. Common reasons for disputes include:
- Misunderstandings about profit sharing
- One partner denying verbal promises
- Decisions made without consent
- Lack of clarity about performance or obligations
What begins as trust can quickly turn into tension. When expectations are not met, litigation often becomes the only way to resolve the conflict.
The Legal Reality of Verbal Agreements
Verbal or handshake agreements can sometimes hold up in court, but they are hard to prove. Courts look for credible evidence that both parties had a clear understanding of the deal and acted on it.
Emails, text messages, invoices, and patterns of behavior can help prove that a contract existed even if it was never written down. When the other party refuses to honor their promises, a business litigator can use these details to enforce your rights.
When to Call a Business Litigator
Once a deal unravels, the time for prevention is over. You need intervention. A litigator can:
- Evaluate the enforceability of your handshake agreement
- Gather and present evidence that supports your claim
- Negotiate or litigate to recover lost profits
- Hold the other party accountable in court
Legal intervention brings clarity and leverage when a deal has already gone wrong.
Internal Link: Read our related blog: When Business Partners Become Phantoms.
Conclusion
When the contract unravels, it does not mean the fight is over. Even without a written agreement, you may still have enforceable rights.
At Alisme Law, we step in when handshake deals collapse. We fight to recover what is owed, enforce obligations, and defend the work you put into your business.
📞 Call us today at 917-809-5451.
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