GUIDE
Got a demand letter? Here's what to do.
A demand letter is a letter, not a court judgment. It's meant to get you to pay or respond quickly — and often it asks for more than the sender could actually win. Before you pay or ignore it, understand what it says.
What a demand letter is
A letter in which someone — often through a lawyer or a collection agency — demands that you do something (pay, stop, move out, fix) and warns of legal action if you don't. It has no legal force on its own: only a court can order you to pay. But it's often the last step before a lawsuit, and what you write back can matter later.
What happens if you ignore it
Sometimes nothing. Sometimes a lawsuit — and then the amount can grow with interest and costs. Ignoring court papers is much worse than ignoring a letter: if you're served with a summons and don't answer in time, the court can enter a default judgment against you. What to do if you're served.
How much time you really have
The date in the letter (“within 10 days”) is the sender's demand, not the law. Real deadlines come from the law: for example, 30 days to dispute a debt after a collector's validation notice, or 20–30 days to answer a summons depending on how it was served. If the letter is from a debt collector, see what to do about a collection letter.
Four ways to respond
- A reasoned written rejection — when the demand isn't justified or lacks evidence. Explain why, calmly, and keep a copy.
- Ask for details and documents — when it's unclear what the demand is based on: ask for the contract, invoices, photos, the account history. It buys time and shows what they have.
- Offer a settlement — when there's something to it but the amount is too high. Offer an amount or a plan “to resolve the matter, without admitting liability.”
- Cancel or counter-demand — when you're the one who was harmed: a cancellation notice, a refund demand, a deposit demand.
How the site helps
Upload the letter and tell us what happened. In seconds you get an instant answer — always free. For $29, a full check against New York and federal law: what the letter really demands, the risks, the dates and your options, with the source for every legal point. For $149, the site asks for the missing details and writes your reply, ready to send.
When you should still see a lawyer
A large amount, a case already filed in court, a deadline days away, a criminal matter, family law, immigration consequences, or a letter you don't understand even after the check. Free help: NY CourtHelp and local legal aid.
Legal information, not legal advice. We are not a law firm.