Consider it as a strategy play

#3 may sounds unrealistic. However it really helps to reduce the duration of this lengthy process. If the tenants really cooperate, you give them some cash to get the property back. The money you gave them is much far less than your cost and expenses on legal process, waiting period, vandalism damages.

Even though #3 didn't work, you can still use this as strategy play to calm down your defendants. At least it help them communicate with you further.

As far as showing at the court, it's not terrifying. As mentioned in the posting, you have 99.9999% chance to win. It's really about the effort on tedious steps and time that you are going to waste on this nonsense issue.

For inexperienced landlord, very likely you need to hire an attorney to handle court hearing. If you have property under LLC, you must have a legal representative. That will be much more costly.