Legal Question in Business Law in Kentucky

I believe small claims is an option.

But not worth your time for the check return feeitself, probably. Still, you should demand it ofthe check-bouncer anyway, as you are legally entitled,and s/he doesn't want to go to court for that small an amount either (although s/he probably wouldn'tshow up).

I'm not 100% certain of this because my knowledge isbased solely on my state's laws, and Kentucky's maybe different in any of these regards.

collecting without the Clerk

Your question indicated that you wish to stayout of the Clerks Office. I believe that willeliminate small claims as they are normally theClerks domaine. For a quick and easy way to collect, try the police dept/prosecutors officefor forgery and uttering. Restitution is oftena condition of sentencing. Be sure not to threaten criminal action for acivil collection, as this may be a violation oflaw in your state.