Small Claim out of state?

[chawkes]

My husband, General Contractor, was awarded work on a foreclosure home in El Cajon, CA. This work was done July 2007. The asset management company, whom he invoiced, is based in Colorado. They have not paid, and no longer respond to phone calls or emails. We have record of all communication since that work was done, with positive answers on invoice approval. Is this a CA Small Claims since the property and work was done here? Or is it a CO claim? Is it worth going through with this claim, if there is no one but ourselves to try to collect payment on the judgement? The amount was approx $3500, plus a year's worth of interest. Any advice is appreciated...we don't know what move to make next.
cyndi

 

[seniorjudge]

You can file in California, but if the company has no assets there, then you will never collect your judgment.

 

[chawkes]

Assets, then, would be if they owned the property(ies), and not merely "managed" them, correct? They have it made...managing properties all around the country, and not paying for work done. Is our other option to file with CO, and ask if the Judge will allow us to not have to physically be at court? Though if we received the judgment we wanted, we STILL would be the ones to try and collect. Would this type of judgment go on record and hurt their business?