Demand Letter

A demand letter formally asserts a legal claim and requests payment, performance, or other action by a deadline. It is usually the last step before filing suit and often resolves the matter without court involvement.

An effective demand letter states the facts, the legal theory, the amount or remedy sought, and a clear deadline. It must be calibrated, too soft and the recipient ignores it, too aggressive and it becomes evidence of bad faith.

California prohibits certain threats in demand letters, particularly criminal-prosecution threats used to collect civil debts. We draft demand letters that move the matter forward, comply with the California Civil Code and Rules of Professional Conduct, and preserve your position if litigation follows.