You did the work. You sent the invoices. They are not paying. I draft a demand letter with a draft lawsuit attached and FedEx it to the other side. $575 flat fee — most invoices get paid within 2 weeks.
Everything needed to maximize your chances of getting paid.
Rush available: +$150 for 48-hour turnaround.
These are anonymized examples from actual client matters. Every demand letter is drafted by me personally.
Developer completed a 3-month project. Client approved all deliverables then stopped responding to invoices. I cited breach of the SOW and applicable state prompt payment statutes. Client paid $17,200 within 8 days.
Agency delivered a 6-month campaign. Client disputed scope after receiving final deliverables. I attached the signed MSA showing approved deliverables and calculated contractual late fees. Full payment received in 14 days.
Subcontractor completed framing work on a commercial project. GC withheld payment claiming deficiencies without documentation. I cited mechanics lien rights and prompt payment act violations. GC paid in full within 10 days.
IT consultant completed a 2-week engagement. Client claimed dissatisfaction after using the deliverables for 3 months. I cited acceptance by conduct and contract payment terms. Settled for $7,800 in 12 days.
I have seen every excuse. These are the most common reasons clients stop paying — and how my demand letters address them.
An attorney's letter is different from your email. Here is what I include that changes the conversation.
Email the invoices, contract (if any), and a summary of what happened. Include any correspondence showing the client accepted or approved the work.
I reply with any questions I have and confirm the $575 fee and timeline. No work starts until you approve.
I cite your contract, calculate damages with interest and late fees, and attach a draft lawsuit showing you are ready to file.
I send the demand letter via FedEx certified mail. Most invoices get paid within 2 weeks once they see an attorney is involved.
Send me the details and I will confirm the fee and timeline.
Start My Demand Letter →700+ reviews on Upwork
"A client owed me $15,000 and had been ghosting me for 2 months. Sergei sent a demand letter and they paid within 6 days. The attached lawsuit draft made it clear I was not bluffing."
"Agency owed $28,000 for completed work. Sergei's demand letter included late fees calculated per our MSA. They paid everything including the late fees within 2 weeks."
"Three overdue invoices totaling $9,200. Sergei sent one demand letter covering all three. The client settled for $8,800 in 10 days. Should have done this months earlier."
A written contract is helpful but not required. If you have emails confirming the scope of work, approved deliverables, or invoices the client acknowledged, I can work with that. Even purely verbal agreements can support a demand letter if there is evidence of acceptance and use of your work product. The stronger the documentation, the stronger the leverage.
If the client accepted the deliverables, used them, or asked for revisions without raising quality concerns at the time, that is evidence of acceptance by conduct. I cite this in the demand letter along with any approval emails, completion confirmations, or the client's continued use of your work. Retroactive quality disputes are rarely successful defenses to payment.
Interest rates depend on your contract and state law. If your contract specifies a late-payment interest rate, I calculate it per those terms. If not, I apply your state's statutory judgment interest rate or prompt payment act provisions. In many states, this is 7-10% annually. If your contract includes late fees, I calculate and include those as well.
I draft demand letters for clients and debtors nationwide. The demand letter cites applicable contract terms and the governing law specified in your agreement. If there is no choice-of-law clause, I apply conflict-of-laws principles. The goal is to establish the debt and create leverage regardless of where the parties are located.
The economics of a demand letter work best for invoices above approximately $2,000. Below that threshold, the $575 fee may not be cost-effective unless the principle matters more than the money. For very small claims, small claims court may be a better option. I can advise on the best path forward based on your specific situation.
If they do not pay after the 30-day deadline in the demand letter, you have several options: file the lawsuit I drafted and attached to the demand, use small claims court if the amount qualifies, hire me to file and litigate the case, or use a collections agency. The demand letter with attached lawsuit establishes a clear record of your attempt to resolve the matter before litigation.