Help. I’m Being Sued For A Rental

I have never been sued so I am pretty freaked out about it.

First I’ll explain how I got here. 3 years ago I moved back to my home state to help take care of my mother. She was extremely sick. Beside her house was a small fun down house that people were moving out of so my mother asked the owner if I could move in when they left. He agreed. The previous renter gave me the key when they moved out. The owner of the home never even went to look at the home before the key was handed to me. I spent almost 4 weeks having to clean up this mess of a home.

I lived in this home for 3 years, not once did he come and fix any issues I had. We had to replace a broken window, had to repair a hole in the floor big enough a kid could fit through , and just many issues that no one would come and fix. Now here’s the details that I’m needing help with

1.) there was never any kind of lease signed

2.) he made me pay in cash and nothing else

3.)along with paying in cash, he made me bring it to his house and would make me come inside to talk. He’s an old man so i honestly felt bad for trying to get out of there.

4.) I’ve never received any kind of receipt for paying rent and don’t have proof because he made me pay in cash

5.) him and his family constantly went through my mailbox there because they still had their mail sent there

6.) he would tell his friends they could come on the property anytime to fish, even though I was renting

7.)I left as soon as my mom got better

So now he’s filed a civil suit against me and I’m terrified. I can’t afford to throw thousands of dollars at an attorney. I’m almost 7month pregnant and the stress is unbearable. He’s claiming I stole things out of the “furnished “ house. But there wasn’t anything in there. I have no proof of that because I moved In without him looking at it before hand. I’m just lost on where I stand.

I’ve never been to court. I’ve never even had a traffic ticket. I’ve been renting for 12 years and never have had an issue with previous landlords. I’m just looking for any kind of advice.

Location: Alabama