Quick question about client won't pay for completed work

I publish illustrative scenarios prepared by my practice. All participants and conversations are fictional. The fictional posts are not posts by real users, accounts of client experiences, or reports of actual results.
Illustrative scenario prepared by my practice.
For informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Hypothetical question

I'm in a difficult situation and trying to figure out my next steps.

client won't pay for completed work. I've been dealing with this for about 6 weeks now and the situation isn't improving.

The contract was signed 21 months ago. I have a copy of the original agreement. The total amount in dispute is approximately $39,000.

Should I hire a lawyer for this or try to handle it myself?

Illustrative response

NAL, but from what I've read, you should send a written demand. But honestly you should verify this with someone who knows your state's laws.

Illustrative response

NAL, but from what I've read, you should send a written demand. But don't just take my word for it which sucks, get real legal advice.

Illustrative response

NAL, but from what I've read, you should check your state's specific laws. Take the above with a huge disclaimer that I'm just some person on the internet.

Illustrative response

Just want to point out — the statute of limitations might be a factor here. In some states it's as short as 1-2 years. Don't sit on this too long.