This client is essentially bullying you into indentured servitude and using mind games to motivate you into continuing to work for them indefinitely. Unless you

This client is essentially bullying you into indentured servitude and using mind games to motivate you into continuing to work for them indefinitely. Unless you've heard from this supposed lawyer they've hired in your country, I'd take a solid guess they haven't actually taken any action in that area and have no clue how to go about it. As others mentioned, cut off all communication with your client. Find legal support or at least have someone ready to defend you if needed. As soon as they mention legal action all communication goes through legal channels, on both sides. If they haven't taken that step yet, they are bluffing. What I would do is send a short very clearly worded email, with no emotional or personal language (this is important). The email would 1) state exactly what was delivered to date in terms of hours spent, equivalent hourly value based on my rate 2) assurance that the client has access to all assets and source files as a showing of good faith and 3) a short, very specific statement that the contract is now terminated with no further work delivered, payments made or communications outside of legal channels. Then walk away and look for other clients. File every communication the client sends you, save somewhere in PDFs and make hard copies. Any response you send should say simply "This information has been retained for my attorney." Respond that way to the client for everything. Say nothing else (very important). Eventually they'll either get the message and walk away or take some sort of action. If they take action then you will need an attorney ready, but I'm guessing they're bluffing and you'll never hear from them again.