Demand letters
How do I write a demand letter for money someone owes me?
Updated · By the Certified Letter Online team
Keep it to one page: who you are, what the money is for (loan, unpaid work, damage), the exact amount, the date you need it by, how to pay, and that you'll file in small claims court if it isn't paid. Send it by Certified Mail with return receipt so you can show the judge you asked for payment and when the other side received the request.
Some small claims courts require you to ask for payment before filing. California's small claims form, for example, asks whether you asked the defendant to pay.
| Paragraph | What to say |
|---|---|
| 1. Facts | What happened, with dates and any agreement |
| 2. Amount | The exact sum and how you calculated it |
| 3. Deadline | A clear date (10 to 14 days is common if no law sets one) |
| 4. Payment | How to pay you |
| 5. Next step | That you will file in small claims court if unpaid |
| Enclosures | Invoice, messages, receipts (as extra pages) |
Tone
Be factual and polite. Threats beyond lawful next steps (court, a complaint) can backfire. The letter is likely to end up in front of a judge.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, a legal aid office or a licensed attorney in your state can tell you what applies.
Quick answers
How do I send a demand letter before small claims court?
Write it, sign it and mail it Certified with return receipt. Bring a copy, the receipt and the return receipt to your hearing.
Can I email a demand letter instead?
You can, but email is easy to dispute or ignore. Certified mail gives a USPS delivery record. Many people do both.
How long should I give them to pay?
Unless a law sets a period, 10 to 14 days is common. See how long to give in a demand letter.
What to do next
Fill in the money-owed demand and we'll mail it Certified with return receipt for $17.99. Bring the receipt to court if you need it.
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Checked: . General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change: confirm current values at the official links above.