Need advice on suing an ex-boyfriend for wages

I want to take my x-boyfriend to small claims court to sue for money he owes me for using my credit card ($3,000.00), for phone/cable bills (were in my name) for the last two months we were together ($336.00), for medical bills that I incurred during the year I was with him ($600.00 which he agreed to pay for totally), and for wages (approximately 16,800.00 - AFTER a generous amount I alloted for room and board). I worked with him for 7 months (he has his own painting business), and while he did pay my monthly bills (a whopping $115.00 per month), and provided food for me to eat, he never actually paid me any wages. I worked very hard - and can get affidavits from the clients whose homes we painted), as well as affidavits from people who worked with us to attest to the fact that I did work with him, and he told clients and other employees that he paid me $20.00 per hour. He has had this business for 15 years and has never paid one dime of income tax, so I don't know if (other than obtaining affidavits from the clients whose homes we painted) I can prove he owes me money. Can I actually sue him for wages that he did not pay me for??? Please respond to Suzy_D_210@yahoo.com. Thank you.

[Law200]

Based on what you say here, you could file suit against him (or at least threaten to do so) in small claims court or in regular court; filing in small claims court is easier and requires no attorney...you could try to collect all of the costs and damages that you suffered due to his behavior...

Well, the problem is, here in Kansas the maximum amount I can get in small claims court is $4,000. Which seems minimal if I have to go through all the trouble of getting affidvits, etc. He owes me over 16,000.00. Then there is the problem of actually getting the money from him once a judgement is obtained. He has no assets - other than painting equipment (about 10-20 thousand dollars worth) and numerous fish acquariums (probably worth about 12 thousand dollars). If I got the judgement, how would I get the money?

[able1]

You could sue for one item and then sue for another etc. if they were distinct obligations or agreements.

See http://www.worldlawdirect.com/article/935 -- Collecting on a court judgment.