Partially paid invoice

I have designed a 60-page website for a cheap bargain for a start-up company. I recieved my deposit during the project and I had billed them a final invoice trusting they will pay what they had agreed to and all the scope creep work along with it that the client was aware of.

The client already hired programmers, in which I do have contact with, whom already have all the files necessary to begin their part.

I know I should have done "cash on delivery" as usual, and yes, it's never a good idea to just "trust" anyone, but since I did this as a favor for a friend, I agreed to work for such little pay to begin with and trusted they will pay me accordingly.

However, the client decided to pay me partial of the final invoice and in the email that was sent to me it was written that they could only pay me that "X" amount and hope there are "no hard feelings".

I then written a formal letter to the client stating it was not acceptable and would like a settling response from them no later then the given date I had offered. And of course, I recieved no response.

I now had sent a letter to the programmers about my situation requesting them to shut down the site until I had recieved my full payment, however, if that does not work out, are there any other way around this mess or am I just out of luck?

Any suggestions would be grateful and this surely this will be the last "favor" I will do for anyone, especially for clients who just wants to nickle&dime everyone they can.

I would write it off as a lesson learned. The programmers aren't going to help you get your money, and it isn't worth the time, effort and cost of going the court route unless you're talking about thousands of dollars. Next time, use a contract and don't hand over the final pieces until you're paid. Keep the use what you created contingent on you getting your money.

As they have not paid for the content then you still own it. Take legal matters and send a seize and desist order to them, their host and their datacenter.

cease and desist.

My advice: write off the remainder as a bad debt expense on the books and next make sure you get everything in writing first. Business is business...always remember that.