Free letter template
Demand letter for payment (before small claims)
A demand letter states what you're owed, why, and the deadline to pay before you go to court. Many small claims courts expect you to have asked for payment first, and a certified letter with a return receipt is clean proof that you did.
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Re: Demand for payment of [Amount owed]
Dear [Who owes you], I am writing to demand payment of [Amount owed]. [What happened] Please pay [Amount owed] by [Pay by], [How to pay]. If I do not receive payment by that date, I intend to file a claim in small claims court without further notice, and to ask for court costs as allowed by law. I would prefer to resolve this without going to court. If you dispute any part of this, please contact me in writing before the deadline. Sincerely, [Your name]
When to use this letter
- Someone owes you money: unpaid invoice, loan, deposit, damage, refund
- You want to settle before filing in small claims
- A statute requires a written demand before suing (check your state)
Where to send it
Send to the person's home or the business's registered or principal address.
Tips before you mail it
- Keep it factual: dates, amounts, documents. Attach invoices or receipts as PDF pages.
- Give a realistic deadline (10-14 days is common).
- Check your court's self-help page for any pre-filing demand requirement.
The full template text
Re: Demand for payment of {{amount}}
Dear {{recipientName}},
I am writing to demand payment of {{amount}}.
{{what}}
Please pay {{amount}} by {{deadline}}, {{howToPay}}.
If I do not receive payment by that date, I intend to file a claim in small claims court without further notice, and to ask for court costs as allowed by law.
I would prefer to resolve this without going to court. If you dispute any part of this, please contact me in writing before the deadline.
Sincerely,
{{signature}}Text in {{double braces}} is filled in from the form above. This is a general template, not legal advice.