Demand letter that asks for payment with a clear deadline
Before small claims court, most disputes start with a formal written demand. This prompt has your todo.is agent turn your timeline and evidence into a calm, factual demand letter that states what happened, the exact amount owed, the deadline and what you will do next. It is a draft for you to check, not legal advice.
The prompt
- Write a demand letter from me, [YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS], to [RECIPIENT NAME AND ADDRESS]. Here is what happened, with dates: [TIMELINE OF EVENTS]. They owe me [AMOUNT AND WHAT IT IS FOR]. Evidence I have: [EVIDENCE]. Give them until [DEADLINE] to pay by [PAYMENT METHOD]. If they do not, I plan to [NEXT STEP]. I am in [STATE OR COUNTRY]: search the official court website there for any demand letter requirements and the small claims limit, with links. Keep it factual, firm and under one page, no insults or threats beyond the legal next step, and add a list of the attachments. Word file and PDF, plus a short note on how to send it with proof of delivery.
What to change
- [YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS]: Your full name and address.
- [RECIPIENT NAME AND ADDRESS]: Who owes you, e.g. "Bright Renovations LLC, 90 Oak St, Austin, TX".
- [TIMELINE OF EVENTS]: Dates and facts, e.g. "paid $4,000 deposit on 2 June; work never started; asked for refund on 1 and 15 August".
- [AMOUNT AND WHAT IT IS FOR]: E.g. "$4,000, the deposit for the kitchen renovation".
- [EVIDENCE]: E.g. "contract, bank transfer receipt, texts from 1 and 15 August".
- [DEADLINE]: Often 10 to 14 days from the letter date, e.g. "24 October 2026".
- [PAYMENT METHOD]: E.g. "bank transfer to the account on my invoice" or "check mailed to my address".
- [NEXT STEP]: E.g. "file a claim in small claims court".
- [STATE OR COUNTRY]: Where the dispute is, e.g. "Texas" or "Ontario, Canada".
Example result
- Demand letter
- Karen Lopez
- 512 Cedar Lane, Austin, TX 78704
- 10 October 2026
- Sent by certified mail and email
- Bright Renovations LLC
- Attn: Mark Doyle, Owner
- 90 Oak Street, Austin, TX 78702
- Re: Demand for refund of $4,000 deposit
- Dear Mr. Doyle,
- On 2 June 2026 I signed a contract with Bright Renovations LLC for a kitchen renovation at my home and paid a $4,000 deposit by bank transfer. The contract states that work would begin by 1 July 2026.
- No work has started. On 1 August and 15 August 2026 I asked you in writing to either start the work or refund the deposit. I have not received a reply to either message.
- I demand that you refund the full $4,000 deposit by 24 October 2026. Please pay by bank transfer to the account on the attached invoice, or by check mailed to the address above.
- If I do not receive full payment by that date, I intend to file a claim in the Justice Court in Travis County to recover the deposit plus court costs, without further notice.
- I would prefer to resolve this without court. You can reach me at 555-0102 or karen.lopez@example.com.
- Sincerely,
- Karen Lopez
- Attachments
- 1. Signed contract dated 2 June 2026
- 2. Bank transfer receipt for $4,000
- 3. Messages sent on 1 and 15 August 2026
- How to send it
- • Use a delivery method with proof (certified mail, tracked courier) and keep a copy
- • Also send it by email if you have been talking that way
- • Put a reminder on the deadline date and note any reply
- Before you rely on it
- This is a draft, not legal advice. Rules, deadlines and limits differ by state and country. For larger amounts or complex disputes, talk to a lawyer or a legal aid clinic.
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and fill in your timeline, the amount and your evidence.
- Paste it on the todo.is Today screen and attach contracts, receipts or screenshots so your agent can check the dates.
- Your agent checks your court's official site, then writes a one-page demand letter with an attachments list.
- Ask it to add a reminder on the deadline, so you know when to take the next step.
Tips for a better result
- Stick to facts and dates. A judge may read this letter later, so calm and precise looks better than angry.
- Ask for one exact amount and explain how you got it.
- Give a reasonable deadline, often 10 to 14 days, and say how to pay.
- Only mention next steps you are ready to take, such as small claims. Never threaten criminal charges to get paid.
- Keep proof of sending. Certified mail or a tracked courier is better than a regular letter.
demand letter: FAQ
- What is a demand letter? A formal letter asking someone to pay money or fix a problem by a deadline, before you take legal action. Many small claims courts expect you to try this first.
- Do I need a lawyer to send a demand letter? No, you can send one yourself. For large sums or complex cases, a lawyer's review is a good idea.
- How long should I give them to respond? Ten to fourteen days is common. Check if your state or contract sets a specific period.
- What if they ignore the demand letter? You can consider small claims court or other legal steps. Keep the letter and proof of delivery as evidence that you tried to settle.
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