Like any other professional service in life, you typically have to pay for stuff and it is unclear whether you will be able to find a free attorney...

There are no laws compelling you to form an LLC.

Sorry to hear this. But the statute of limitations likely ran over a half century ago.

Your friend is not going to hire “the best” lawyer in San Francisco regardless, so it is a moot question. The other issue is that, as indicated in...

As my colleague indicated, catching a manufacture making a mistake is not like finding a golden ticket from Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory....

You need to follow whatever rules were outlined by the court for produce the documents. You do not get a pass for not being an attorney. If you...

Both at the same time . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Likely not legal. You are welcome to hire an attorney to review the contract and related facts, as well as the version of facts from the other side.

An attorney would have to review the contract. In the future do not do unusual and untraceable and unprovable ways of paying for anything important.

Have a local attorney review the contract and related facts to help you determine your legal rights and best course moving forward.