Really! What kind of an American am I if I don’t even know how to sue someone!?

I’ll admit enjoying my newfound knowledge. I’m not actively looking to be litigious, but it’s great to know I’m ready if it comes to that again.

On a more practical note, the whole process was lengthy, but very clear and fair. We have a justice system, someone committed fraud against me, so I turned the cranks on the machine and got some justice. fwiw, I was also mentally prepared to lose, and learn what I did wrong if that happened. Not being too emotionally attached to a legal situation is a very good policy.

Could you have lost money if you lost, e.g. having had to pay his legal fees? How much might that have been?

Nice job anyway, and an interesting read. Let's hope he'll be more honest hereafter (although I doubt it)

No, I wouldn’t have had to pay him or the court if I lost. In fact my court costs were added to my award, so I didn’t even really pay those.

I paid with my time. If I was sour about it, I might say “that’s time I’ll never get back”, but I consider it a wonderful learning experience and time well spent.