I am a subcontractor hired to frame a 4-Plex and now the contractor will not pay me for the work that was completed.
Contractors (including subcontractors) who perform work pursuant to a contract have legal rights to ask a court to enforce the contract (i.e., to order payment). Those rights arise out of the contract itself, whether or not the contract is written or verbal. Additionally, contractors that take appropriate steps including filing a preliminary notice, recording a notice of lien, etc., may also have the right to lien the property. You should consult with an attorney to determine what rights you may have.