collecting on a debt owed to me

[rkerrisk]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA

Let me just start off with I was an IDIOT. I'll start with that. I allowed a friend to use a credit line of mine on the verbal promise to pay all principle and interest. Amazingly enough, he decided last December that he didn't like me anymore and the payments stopped. On the plus side, I have an email from him saying he would pay the full debt ($8600 at the time) and a subsequent nasty email saying he'd only pay if I gave him a full accounting of the charges. Don't know if it matters, but the accounting was easy to provide so I did - the only charges on the line were his.

I've since sent two letters, certified/return-receipt asking that he pay on the debt. Amazingly, nothing has happened. It took a while to get past my own embarrassment at being such a dunce, but I've finally filed my small claim and am now waiting for him to be served. My questions:

1. With the emails stating he knows he owes the money, is there any benefit in continuing to harrass the credit line to provide me copies of the receipts? It's a bank that's been having challenges in the current economic climate, and, oddly, helping me get copies of back receipts doesn't seem to interest them much. I'm thinking it may not matter, as there's no proof in the receipts(other than that he signed for the debt) that the debt is his. Except for his emails, I could have endorsed his using the line without requiring repayment. So can I drop this (and save myself some aggro), or should I have those in hand for court?

2. Any tips on collecting the debt once I have a judgement? Always assuming I'll get a judgement in my favor... I've never been in this position before.

Any tips/insights/comments are gratefully appreciated!What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?