Before you ever set foot in a courthouse, send a demand letter. It is a short, businesslike note stating exactly what you are owed, why, and a firm deadline to pay. Courts expect parties to try to resolve a dispute before filing, and judges look favorably on a plaintiff who made a clear, good-faith attempt to settle first.
More often than people expect, the letter alone works. A formal written demand that names the small-claims court and the dollar limit signals you are serious and willing to follow through. For many defendants, paying is easier than facing a filing, a hearing, and a possible judgment on their record.
A good demand letter is specific: the exact amount, a brief description of what happened and when, the method of payment you'll accept, and a hard deadline — usually 10 to 14 days. Keep the tone factual and unemotional. Threats and insults weaken it; precision strengthens it.
Send it by a trackable method — certified mail with return receipt, or an email you can prove was delivered — and keep a copy. That proof of delivery becomes an exhibit if you do end up filing. It shows the judge you gave the other side a fair chance to make things right.
Generate a demand letter tailored to your state below. It names the right court and dollar limit for where you live; you just fill in the amount and the facts.
Look up the small-claims rules for your state.
Updated July 2026