What should I include in a demand letter to get paid?

Here’s some information generally included in demand letters:

• Exact amount owed. List the total and any late fees allowed by your contract.
• Reason for payment. Briefly describe the work and date completed (e.g., “$1,200 for website design finished March 15”).
• Proof of agreement. Attach the invoice and cite key emails or messages approving scope and price.
• Partial payments: If the client already made a partial payment, include that information and any communications about it. Partial payments can sometimes be seen as acknowledgment of the debt, which may extend the deadline (called the statute of limitations) for bringing a legal claim.
• Your contact info. Make paying or responding easy.
• Deadline. Set a specific date for payment.

Well-documented letters are harder to ignore and strengthen your position if legal action follows.

What to consider in your specific situation

What makes a demand letter effective can depend on your contract, the client relationship, and how much is owed. Effectiveness depends on:

• The type and tone of your business relationship.
• Any prior written agreements or contracts.
• Local laws about debt collection and notice requirements.
• The total amount and supporting proof of work.
• Whether you plan to take next steps if payment isn’t made.

To understand what information to include based on your documents, consider using Rocket Copilot or a Legal Pro for general information about demand letters.