Yes, I have sued a client in small claims court. I recommend it because of my experience. I wouldn't have if it hadn't been a case where I was obviously owed the money.
All through the period of trying to collect, I would just wrap myself up in knots over the nonpayment and feel like a rube.
Finally, decided to file the claim which cost me about $60 including having the papers served. Two days later, there was a court date set for mediation.
From then until the night before the court date, I didn't get worked up about it. We spent about three hours in mediation and I wound up getting paid - of course I told the mediator that they could stick their sixty cents on the dollar offer up their ass and I was ready to go to court two and a half hours into it - and I was.
Again, once I filed, I was greatly relieved.
Now, I generally have better contracts and require a retainer which is applied against the final invoice for clients with whom I do not have a long standing relationship or about whom I have concerns over payment.
All through the period of trying to collect, I would just wrap myself up in knots over the nonpayment and feel like a rube.
Finally, decided to file the claim which cost me about $60 including having the papers served. Two days later, there was a court date set for mediation.
From then until the night before the court date, I didn't get worked up about it. We spent about three hours in mediation and I wound up getting paid - of course I told the mediator that they could stick their sixty cents on the dollar offer up their ass and I was ready to go to court two and a half hours into it - and I was.
Again, once I filed, I was greatly relieved.
Now, I generally have better contracts and require a retainer which is applied against the final invoice for clients with whom I do not have a long standing relationship or about whom I have concerns over payment.
Good luck.