Pre-litigation

Demand Letter Template

A demand letter formally asks someone to fix a problem (pay back money, return property, stop doing something) before you sue. Most courts expect to see one. Sending one resolves about 60% of disputes without litigation.

How to use this template

Send a demand letter when you have a specific, dollar-quantifiable problem with a specific person or business and want them to fix it without going to court. The letter does three things: states the facts clearly, attaches a number to the harm, and gives them a deadline to respond. Keep it factual and polite - it may end up as Exhibit A in a small-claims case.

Before you send

Send by both email AND certified mail with return receipt; keep both receipts as proof of delivery.
Do not threaten anything you would not actually do. A demand letter threatening "we will sue" should be a letter you are prepared to follow through on.
In some jurisdictions a demand letter starts the statute-of-limitations clock or tolls it. Check your state.
Do not include any settlement offer you are not prepared to honor; an accepted offer becomes a binding contract.

Template

Replace every {{token}} with your own information. Print, copy, or paste into a document. No signup needed.

{{Your Full Name}}
{{Your Street Address}}
{{Your City, State ZIP}}
{{Your Email}}
{{Your Phone}}

{{Date}}

Via Certified Mail and Email

{{Recipient Full Name or Business Name}}
{{Recipient Street Address}}
{{Recipient City, State ZIP}}

Re: Demand for {{brief description, e.g. "Return of $5,000 Security Deposit"}}

Dear {{Recipient}},

I am writing to formally demand {{describe the action you want, e.g. "the return of my $5,000 security deposit"}}. The relevant facts are:

1. {{First fact in chronological order. Be specific - dates, dollar amounts, where, who.}}
2. {{Second fact.}}
3. {{Third fact, including the act or omission that caused the harm.}}

Despite {{describe any prior attempts to resolve, e.g. "my email of January 15, 2026 and follow-up call on February 1"}}, this matter remains unresolved.

I am owed {{exact dollar amount, e.g. "$5,000"}}. I am willing to resolve this matter without litigation if you pay this amount in full by {{deadline - typically 14-30 days from this letter, e.g. "March 15, 2026"}}.

If I do not receive payment by that date, I will pursue all available legal remedies, which may include filing a civil claim in {{court, e.g. "Hennepin County small claims court"}} where I will additionally seek court costs and statutory interest. {{Optional: "I have already begun preparing the necessary court paperwork."}}

Please send payment to the address above. I prefer payment by {{check / wire / ACH to account ending in XXXX}}.

This letter constitutes my good-faith attempt to resolve this matter informally. A copy will be retained for any subsequent legal proceedings.

Sincerely,

{{Signature}}
{{Your Printed Name}}

Enclosures: {{list any supporting documents you are attaching, e.g. "Lease agreement, security-deposit receipt, photos of property condition at move-out"}}

Last reviewed: 2026-06-08. This template is informational only and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before sending.

More templates: advottic.com/templates. Leer en español: advottic.com/es/plantillas/carta-de-demanda.