Before you take him to court, invite him to mediation. If you cant get your dispute resolved in mediation, or he no-shows to the mediation and you then take him to court, youll probably win, no question.
I took a former employer to mediation, and he showed up with my paycheck that he had been refusing to give me.
http://www.fcmcclerk.com/dept/court/files/FCMC_Small_Claims_Mediation_Brochure.pdf