Small Claims Court: How to Avoid Big Headaches
http://www.the-efa.org/FEAArchive/smallclaims.html

Aglaia, Debra
Editorial Freelancers Association
1997

Abstract:

As professionals, we know to make every effort to obtain payment from clients before resorting to legal action. Doing things such as calling the person with whom you've worked on the project, calling the company's financial officer, calling the company's general manager and/or owner, following up with letters, and following up with more letters sent by certified mail are all good ways to let your client know that you won't be ignored. But sometimes our best efforts fail and the only recourse is legal help.