Need advice: small Claims Court for Payment: Ohio

I publish illustrative scenarios prepared by my practice. All participants and conversations are fictional. The fictional posts are not posts by real users, accounts of client experiences, or reports of actual results.
Illustrative scenario prepared by my practice.
For informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Hypothetical question

I'm in a difficult situation in Ohio and trying to figure out my next steps.

Stripe holding $15K for 90 days. I've been dealing with this for about 3 weeks now and the situation isn't improving.

Do I have a strong case? What should my next steps be?

Illustrative response

NAL, but from what I've read, you should document everything. But don't just take my word for it, get real legal advice.

Illustrative response

I've dealt with this before.

The #1 mistake I see here is filing with the appropriate government agency. I'd recommend gathering evidence first instead.

Illustrative response

So this is more common than people think.

The thing that gets people is having everything documented. I'd recommend keeping a detailed timeline instead.

Illustrative response

I went through almost teh exact same thing.

A lot of people mess up by is filing with the appropriate government agency. I'd recommend gathering evidence first instead haha.

Illustrative response

For anyone overwhelmed by the legal process: break it into steps. (1) Gather all documents, (2) Write a timeline of events, (3) Research applicable laws, (4) Send a demand letter, (5) If no response, escalate to regulatory complaint or court. You don't have to do everything at once.