Send a Demand Letter Written & Signed by an Attorney
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Meet Our Attorneys
Nicole Lefton
Nicole is a New York attorney at JusticeDirect Law Firm DC LLP. She was previously an adjunct professor at American University and George Mason University.
Patrick Forrest
Patrick is an Arizona and Washington, D.C. attorney at JusticeDirect Law Firm DC LLP. He has previously worked as a JAG officer in the US Army and for the Department of Homeland Security.
Camila Lopez
Camila is a California attorney at JusticeDirect Law Firm DC LLP, consumer advocate, and mediator. She has helped thousands of individuals and small businesses with California small claims cases.
How We Help
Complete Our Intake
Complete our online intake. Provide details about your case.
Demand Letter Preparation
Your lawyer will write the demand letter and provide you with a 1st draft for you to review.
We Will Ship Your Demand Letter
We will mail your attorney's written and signed demand letter on our Law Firm letterhead. Throughout the process, you will receive tracking and delivery notifications.
FAQs: Attorney Demand Letter
Once you’ve signed our Engagement Agreement and provided all the necessary information, your attorney will send you a first draft of your letter within 3–5 business days.
Once you approve the final draft and your attorney signs the letter, the letter will be mailed via USPS Certified Mail. We’ll email you the tracking number and notify you once your letter is delivered.
Yes. You’ll be able to review and approve the letter before it’s mailed, and you can request one round of edits if needed. We won’t send the letter without your confirmation.
Yes. As part of our service, you may request one round of edits if needed.
While we can prepare a letter for most requests, each case is different, and your attorney must review your situation before agreeing to draft your letter.
There are two situations where we may not be able to proceed:
No legal basis for a letter: If, after reviewing your case, we determine that the law does not provide a remedy, we’ll explain our reasoning and share our research with you. In this case, you’ll receive a 25% refund of the fees you paid.
Specialized legal expertise required: If your case requires a lawyer with specialized expertise outside our scope, we’ll let you know and issue a full refund.
Our goal is always to provide helpful guidance, even if we’re not able to write the letter.
No. All communication with your attorney is handled in writing to allow time for careful review of your documents, legal research, and thoughtful, detailed responses. Written communication also gives you a clear record you can refer back to at any time.
Yes, as long as you haven’t approved your letter for mailing. If you cancel before any work has started, you’ll receive a full refund. If work has already begun on your case, we’ll issue a 25% refund.
We can’t guarantee you’ll receive a response to your demand letter. If your dispute isn’t resolved, you may consider taking further legal action. We offer help with starting a small claims case in California and New York Learn more about our small claims service. If you are outside of those states and would like to start a small claims case, review our 50-state Guide to Small Claims Court.
We understand it can be frustrating not to receive a response. However, because we can’t guarantee the outcome of your letter, we’re unable to offer refunds if no response is received.
We don’t communicate or negotiate with the other party party. Your attorney’s role is to preparing and send your letter. This is known as a “limited-scope representation.”
Yes, if you live outside the US, we can assist you with sending a demand letter to an individual or business in the US.
Pricing
Attorney Demand Letter
$300
Written and Signed by Your Attorney
Attorney Written and Signed
Mailed on our Law Firm Letterhead
We ship for you via USPS Certified or Priority Mail
Tracking & Delivery Notifications
Free Replacement Shipping if Delayed
Meet Court Requirements*
This is an attorney service.
*Some courts require you to send a demand letter before filing a small claims lawsuit.
Meet Patrick Forrest, Esq.
Learn more about his vision for equal access to justice and why he believes everyone deserves to be heard.
Common Types of Attorney Demand Letters We Handle
When you request an attorney-drafted demand letter, our legal team carefully reviews your case to determine whether we can assist. In most cases, we’re able to help.
Below are real examples of demand letters we've recently written on behalf of clients:
Unpaid Personal Loans
Demanding repayment of a loan made to a friend or family member.
Auto Loan Repayment
Pursuing repayment when the borrower defaults on a loan you co-signed.
Incomplete Contractor Work
Seeking reimbursement for roofing work that was paid for but never completed.
Vehicle Damage Claims
Demanding reimbursement after another driver caused property damage and failed to pay.
Unpaid Services
Requesting payment for services provided, including consulting or freelance work.
Refunds for Undelivered Services
Recovering payment for marketing services that were never performed.
Security Deposit Disputes
Pursuing landlords who fail to return security deposits after move-out.
Illegal Towing Refunds
Demanding reimbursement when a car is towed without proper signage as required by law.
Faulty Product Refunds
Recovering funds for defective high-value purchases, such as beauty devices that don’t work.
Property Damage from Defective Appliances
Seeking compensation for home damage caused by a washing machine fire.
Vacation Rental Disputes
Recovering refunds from short-term rental companies that fail to pay hosts after guest stays and lie about the condition of the rental.
Judgment Collection
Enforcing unpaid small claims court judgments.
Travel and Airline Issues
Demanding compensation for damaged wheelchairs or uninhabitable hotel rooms.
Storage Disputes
Pursuing storage facilities for unauthorized relocation of personal inventory.
Payment Failures by Money Transfer Services
Demanding reimbursement for failed or canceled transactions.
Chargeback Fraud (Friendly Fraud)
Seeking repayment for goods after a customer fraudulently disputes a charge.
Tenant Relocation Expenses
Demanding compensation from landlords after fires or unlivable conditions.
Vehicle Sale Disputes
Requesting reimbursement for misrepresented or defective vehicles.
Misleading Travel Services
Pursuing refunds for travel packages that were not as advertised.
If you're facing a similar situation, we may be able to help you demand what you're owed. Let us know your dispute and our team will evaluate your case.
What is an Attorney Demand Letter?
A demand letter is a formal, written way to ask someone to fix a legal problem before it escalates to court. It states the facts, the amount you’re owed, and what you expect in return.
An attorney-written demand letter adds more weight. You benefit from:
A review of your case details,
A professional letter, written and signed by an attorney,
Mailed on official law firm letterhead,
Sent via USPS Certified or Priority Mail with tracking, and
If you decide to sue, some courts require you to ask the other person to resolve the problem before filing a lawsuit, this letter would meet that requirement.
What Can a Demand Letter Help With?
Our attorney-written demand letters cover a wide range of legal issues. Whether it’s a personal or business matter, a strong letter is often the first step toward resolution.
Here are some common situations for demand letters:
Someone owes you money and won’t pay
An insurance company won't pay a claim
A client refuses to pay their invoice
Your landlord won’t return your security deposit
A contractor didn’t finish the job, or did it badly
Your neighbor’s burst pipe damaged your property
You’re getting nonstop robocalls or spam messages
A mechanic botched your repair job
An employer won't pay for work completed
Someone hit your car and won't pay for the property damage
and many other situations
Why Send an Attorney Demand Letter First?
Most legal disputes don’t start in a courtroom, they start with a letter.
Demand letters work best when:
You have a strong claim and clear evidence
You're trying to avoid the cost and stress of a lawsuit
You want the other side to know you're serious
You need to show the court you tried to resolve things
You want your position clearly documented in writing
If your situation checks even one of these boxes, a demand letter may be your next step.
When Should You Use an Attorney Demand Letter?
If your case is complex or you want the other side to take you seriously, having an attorney write and send the letter can make a big difference.
Here’s when it helps:
Your case involves legal details – Like injury claims or contract disputes, where mistakes could cost you.
You want to show you’re serious – A letter from a lawyer signals you're willing to take things further.
You need more impact – People are more likely to respond to a letter that comes from a real attorney.
Letters signed by attorneys are more likely to be seen as a real warning, not just a personal request.
What Makes a Strong Demand Letter
A strong demand letter includes three things:
The key facts of what went wrong
Exactly what you want in return, like a refund or payment
Clear consequences if the issue isn’t resolved
It should feel professional, not personal. And it must be credible, something the other party knows they can’t ignore. That’s where a licensed attorney’s involvement can make all the difference.
What to Include in a Demand Letter
To make your demand letter as effective as possible, focus on clarity and structure. A well-organized letter is easier to understand and harder to ignore.
Here’s what to include:
A summary of what happened – Start with the key events that led to the dispute. Keep it factual and organized.
Dates, names, and supporting details – Include any relevant documents, timelines, and background information that help make your case clear.
Evidence – Attach copies of contracts, invoices, photos, or emails that support your claim.
Damages – Be specific about what you've lost and show how you calculated those losses.
A clear request – Explain exactly what you want the other party to do, and set a deadline.
Next steps – Let them know that if you don’t receive a response, you’re prepared to explore legal action.
A strong demand letter doesn’t need to be long, but it does need to be clear, well-supported, and written in a way that shows you’re ready to take action if necessary.
Do You Have to Hire an Attorney to Send a Demand Letter?
You are not required to have a lawyer write your demand letter, you’re allowed to write and send one on your own. But depending on the situation, having a licensed attorney involved can increase the letter’s effectiveness.
Here are a few factors to consider:
Time & Effort – Writing a strong, structured letter takes research and clarity. An attorney can save you hours of writing and second-guessing.
Case Complexity – If your dispute involves complex legal issues a lawyer’s guidance can help avoid mistakes.
Credibility – A demand letter signed by a licensed attorney can carry more weight. It signals that you're serious and may be prepared to escalate.
If you want your letter to be taken seriously, an attorney-written demand letter may be the right move.
How Much Does an Attorney Demand Letter Cost?
We charge a flat fee for demand letters, which keeps your costs predictable. We charge a flat fee because we use proprietary technology to help us organize your case faster. Review our pricing.
Other law firms charge anywhere from $0 to $3,000+ for a demand letter, depending on the lawyer and the case.
Here’s what can affect the cost at other law firms:
Case type – Some lawyers (like personal injury attorneys) may send a demand letter for free if they’re working on a “you only pay if you win” basis (called contingency).
Case complexity – If your situation is unusual, the lawyer may charge more to research and write the letter.
Lawyer’s experience – Specialists may charge less if they’ve written similar letters before.
Firm size – Solo attorneys sometimes offer more affordable rates than large firms.
Whether you’re hiring them for more – Some lawyers only write letters if you become a full client. In that case, they may require a payment in advance (called a retainer) to cover future work.
Not all lawyers offer demand letters as a standalone service. Be sure to ask about pricing, process, and expectations upfront.
Who Do I Send the Demand Letter To?
It’s not enough to write a strong demand letter, you also have to make sure it’s sent to the right person.
When you write and send a demand letter on your own, it’s easy to make small mistakes, like sending it to the wrong person or department. If that happens, your letter may be ignored, passed around, or even thrown out.
A demand letter written and signed by a lawyer helps you avoid that risk. As part of our service, we will help identify the appropriate person, whether it’s a business owner, landlord, legal department, or someone else with the authority to respond.
This helps make sure your letter gets noticed, read, and taken seriously from the start.
Can I Send a Demand Letter by Email?
Yes, you can send a demand letter by email.
However, you need to keep the following in mind:
Depending on your state and the type of case you have, you may need to send the letter by USPS certified mail or priority mail.
Unless you have proof of email delivery on your email service, it may be hard to prove that the other party received your letter if they don't respond.
5 Reasons Why They Might Be Ignoring Your Letter
Many self-written demand letters get ignored. Here are some of the main reasons why, and what to watch for:
They don’t believe you have a real claim – If your letter doesn’t explain how they’re at fault and show proof, they may think you’re just blaming them unfairly.
Your demands are too high – Asking for more than what’s fair makes your letter easy to dismiss.
The tone is too aggressive – If the letter sounds angry or rude, they may stop reading.
The case is too complicated to understand – If your situation is complex and your letter is unclear, the recipient might avoid dealing with it.
They think you’re not going to do anything – If your letter doesn’t mention legal consequences or what comes next, they may assume you won’t follow through.
An attorney-written and signed demand letter helps avoid the most common reasons letters get ignored. It clearly explains your legal claim, uses the right tone, includes supporting evidence, and makes your demands realistic.
Most importantly, it shows the other party you’re serious and ready to take action, something a handwritten letter often can’t do.
When Should You Send a Demand Letter?
If you’ve tried to talk things out and nothing’s changed, it might be time to send a demand letter.
But timing matters.
Every legal claim has something called a statute of limitations, which is a legal deadline for when you’re allowed to take action. If you wait too long to act, you could lose your right to sue.
In some cases, courts also require you to send a demand letter before filing a lawsuit. That’s why it’s important not just to send one, but to send it the right way.
A demand letter written and signed by a lawyer gives you a strong, trackable starting point.
Is an Attorney Demand Letter a Legal Service?
Yes. A demand letter written and signed by a licensed attorney is considered a legal service. Our attorneys review the facts of your situation and write a letter tailored to your case. Because the letter comes from a law firm and is backed by a lawyer’s signature, it carries legal weight that DIY or template letters simply don’t.