Tenant 13 months deliquint owing $10,500. in backrent

     
      My tenant since 2005 lost his job, elderly ill parents, Mom passes-you get the picture. Long story short, he stops paying rent in March 2011. Seems my kindness was taken as weakness and he only showed his face on Tragedy Tuesdays! At the risk of "Casper" being the next statistic, he was servered March 9, 2012 with a 30-days and a 5-day on April 24, 2012. NO moving activity!
      
       This income covers the taxes, insurances & misc repairs. Needless to say I’m a bit behind. When he’s caught it’s "any day now!" Now he thinks my name is "Mark" My question is do I have to file the Unlawful Detainer; lets face it, the $$ is a wrap and I have someone ready to move-in 5/1. Any Advice??????