I went through a semi-hostile management buyout a few years ago. Many, many people offered assistance. Some came in a presented themselves as potential management associates, and saying they'd require a salary that was about the same as my unpaid back-pay from the previous 8 months.
Without exception, all the people who insisted on paperwork were a complete waste of oxygen.
Without exception, all the people who were worth working with did business on a handshake.
Interesting! You know, in some cultures a handshake IS a contract.