Small claims court only makes you feel good, a dead beat don't worry cause there is no muscle to make them pay, been there done that.

Only way to make a dead beat pay is be more dead beat than they are, and thats why they keep doing it cause most of us have to much to lose to be reminding them properly !

Learning curve was long on you, you should be rewarded for you patience, and learn to never do so again for sake of helping for family or friendship, unless your willing to not worry about it coming back !

Uncloudy day