Paycheck 11 days late = sitting @ home

Well after 2 months of thinking my issues were resolved with the guy who I have been working for who was not paying me, here we go again. After the last incident in March, I thought things were worked out as far as getting paid goes but I was wrong. Two checks in April were shorted me a total of $1700 + and now my latest paycheck is now 11 days late. I have tried to resolve this but it looks as though this is either going to end up with me going to this guys house outside of Charlotte and busting his kneecaps, or calling a lawyer and taking him to court. Either way this sucks. Out of money with 3 young children and running out of everything food, time to pay bills, etc.....Stress levels are through the roof right now. Hoping I will not have to sell the Duster to survive. I am praying that I can get at least one of these contracts from him but as of now nothing.....