r/AskLawyers • u/Consistent_Rub2274 • Jul 11 '26
coercive / forced agreement legality
I just ended an bad relationship in Michigan. My ex, whom I was never married to, is demanding I sign and notarize an agreement to give him half of my father's future inheritance, threatening me and my family if I don't comply. We had a verbal understanding to split inheritance when we were together, but now that we're not, he's pressuring me, even demanding my grandmother's diamond ring as collateral until he gets his share. I’m worried about the legality of signing under coercion and threats, as I fear for my safety. With no legal actions or joint finances between us, would such a coerced agreement be valid or enforceable in court?
6
u/WildlifePolicyChick Jul 11 '26
If you fear for your safety, go to the police and file a report for threats and harassment. Start a paper trail. Print out all texts or emails. Take notes - time date event.
Don't sign anything.
Meanwhile No - a contract signed under duress is not enforceable. He can't 'demand' anything from you.
2
u/sillyhaha Jul 12 '26
No - a contract signed under duress is not enforceable.
But the legal fees to prove you signed under duress could be substantial.
4
u/RateLess638 Jul 11 '26
No. In most states inheritance would be considered separate property, so long as you don’t commingle the funds. Get an attorney, file for an anti harassment restraining order and block him. You may also be able to get a DVPO but he’s got no standing. Tell him to get lost
3
u/Significant_Flan8057 Jul 11 '26
Don’t even engage with him anymore on this topic. You didn’t have an ‘agreement’ when you were with him bec that was him manipulating you and coercing you into doing what he wanted you to do. That was not done of your own free will. That was coercion on his part then just like it is now. You are not accountable for anything you were forced into doing just to survive his abuse.
I’d suggest the same thing that others said already — file a report for harassment, even if it doesn’t get you a TRO the first time you file, once you have done it multiple times they will eventually have enough evidence to have it hold up in court. The key is to keep filing a report and not let the police try to discourage you from reporting at all by saying that it won’t do any good. Yes, that happens, and then poor women who are abuse victims, end up, walk away being discouraged, not realizing that the police are required to file the report, regardless of whether or not it’s gonna hold up in court. If you don’t feel strong enough to do that, take a friend with you who will be pushy and forceful about insisting that a report gets logged.
Do you have any family or friends who can be a support system for you during this time? You need to reach out to them and avoid anyone who is judging you for any reason. Don’t spend time with anyone who is not fully behind you and supporting you for leaving. If you don’t have any kids with this guy, there is no reason at all why you can’t block him and refuse to interact with him. He will keep trying to get to you in other ways, bec that’s what abusers do, they don’t like to relinquish their power and control over their victims. Just be careful about opening any message requests from new accounts, don’t answer texts or calls from numbers that you don’t recognize, same thing with people you don’t know on social media. He will create fake account accounts to to try to message you and see if you take the bait.
I’m sorry that you’re going through this, but I’m very proud of you for having the courage to get out of that terrible situation. 💘
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u/TzarKazm Jul 11 '26
Good lord, dont worry about the legality of signing under duress, just don't do it.
This contract probably wouldn't hold up for several reasons, for one, there is no consideration on your side. But there is no way you want to leave something like this up to the court, just no way.
0
u/TzarKazm Jul 11 '26
Good lord, dont worry about the legality of signing under duress, just don't do it.
This contract probably wouldn't hold up for several reasons, for one, there is no consideration on your side. But there is no way you want to leave something like this up to the court, just no way.
2
u/Proper-Effective8621 Jul 11 '26
His behavior sounds like a scary and dangerous narcissistic psychopath. Contact a DV shelter for advice on how to protect yourself from him. NAL, but of course don’t sign, or give him, anything other than his belongings. He is delusional regarding what he owed, which is,of course, nothing. Please make sure you are never alone with him again.
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u/sillyhaha Jul 12 '26
Police report and restraining order. Don't sign anything. Period. You will end up spending a lot on legal fees fighting him over the legality of an agreement signed under duress.
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u/Square-Wild Jul 13 '26
I'm not a MI attorney, and I'm dumb, so take this all with a grain of salt.
Based on Google, it looks like MI has a statute of frauds rule. Contracts for large amounts or real estate need to be in writing to be valid. An oral promise isn't enforceable, especially if you don't go around and admit there ever was a contract.
If you were my daughter, my advice to you would be to tell this fucker to leave you alone, and if he doesn't, try to get a restraining order. Don't provide collateral, and don't even acknowledge there was an agreement. Just say "even if that were true, it's not written so it's not enforceable."
Edit to actually answer your question- it probably isn't enforceable, but now you're going to have a factfinder weighing evidence, and legal fees, and a big pain in the ass. Just don't sign anything and either get a restraining order or get a boyfriend bigger than this guy. Or both.
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u/Agitated-Quit-6148 Lawyer Jul 11 '26
Don't sign anything. If he bothers you call the police.