unpaid loan, bouncing checks and promissory notes

my dad recently passed away and my mom had just recently told me that my dad had given money to this certain someone as a loan and hasn't paid it yet, at least not in full. i have in my possession documents to prove that this person had loaned money from my dad, documents such as promissory notes, a demand letter and a couple of bouncing checks. this person already sent a message to us that she will not pay the remainder/balance of her loan and she just wants us to take this to court. can we still go after this person and file an estafa case? what are our chances that this debt she owed my dad will be paid in full plus damages for the inconvenience she had brought us. i really want to teach this thick faced moron a lesson. pls help? thank you in advance and more power to your site.