Demand Letter Templates from CocoSign

CocoSign offers 10+ free downloadable demand letters that you can directly print, sign, and use for any purpose. Browse through our vast library of document templates and edit them as per your liking!

  • 10-Day Demand Letter

    10-Day Demand Letter
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    Does someone owe you a small debt but won’t pay up? You could put pressure on them by sending them a 10-day demand letter. Learn more about 10-day demand letters in our mini-guide, and use our free template to write a good one.

  • Demand Letter from Attorney

    Demand Letter from Attorney
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    With a demand letter from an attorney, you put pressure on the recipient and galvanize them into action. They act as precursors to litigation. Learn all about demand letters and how to draft them in this article.

  • Demand Letter for Breach of Contract

    Demand Letter for Breach of Contract
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    If someone breaks a contract with you, you make the breach official with a demand letter for breach of contract. Learn more about demand letters for breach of contracts or notices of breach with CocoSign, including how to go about writing one.

  • Child Support Demand Letter

    Child Support Demand Letter
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    Have you failed to receive a child support payment recently? You can put pressure on the at-fault parent by writing them a child support demand letter. Learn all about child support demand letters here, and use our free template to write a good letter quickly.

  • Final Demand Letter

    Final Demand Letter
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    The final demand letter is the precursor to a court battle. As such, it needs to be well-written, as it will be used as evidence in court. We explain all about final demand letters on this page, and also offer a free template you can use to write an effective letter.

  • Demand Letter to Insurance Company

    Demand Letter to Insurance Company
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    Have a claim to make with your insurance company? We cover everything you need to know about demand letters to the insurance company in our article. We also provide a free template if you want to get started with writing the letter right now.

  • Demand Letter for Payment

    Demand Letter for Payment
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    When someone owes you money and refuses to pay up, you can offer a final warning in the form of a demand letter for payment. This is a precursor to litigation. Learn more about demand letters for payment in this article.

  • Refund Request Letter

    Refund Request Letter
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    Use the free template on the CocoSign website to quickly draft a refund request letter. Read the rest of the tutorial to learn more about refund request letters, including what they are and what should go into them.

  • Security Deposit Demand Letter

    Security Deposit Demand Letter
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    When your landlord refuses to return your security deposit, you send them a security deposit demand letter. Learn how to write an effective deposit demand letter in our mini-tutorial. Also, use CocoSign’s free deposit demand letter template to write an effective letter in minutes.

The demand letter is a precursor to litigation. When you write a demand letter, you give the recipient a chance to right a wrong before you take them to court. We cover everything you need to know about demand letters here. We also provide a free demand letter template at the end of the article, if you wish to write a suitable one quickly.

What Is a Demand Letter?

A demand letter is a formal document asking payment or other action. If you send a demand letter to someone, it’s because they have aggrieved you in some way. Common disputes include financial default, contract breaches, and unpaid wages.

Lawyers typically write demand letters, though anyone can write them. You don’t need to write a demand letter to take someone to court. However, it’s highly recommended you write one anyway, simply because they save you time and money in the long run.

Demand letters are sometimes referred to as “letters of demand for payment” and “cease and desist” letters. As a rule of thumb, they are sent by certified mail with a return receipt. This is so the sender can verify the delivery.

When and Why a Demand Letter Is Needed?

There are many scenarios where you could need to write a demand letter:

  • Refund
  • Settlement
  • Car accident
  • Child support
  • Final Notice
  • Personal injury
  • Insurance

Why do you write a demand letter if you aren’t legally required to do so? It’s better than taking the recipient to court directly, which is costly. Demand letters show the other party you’re serious about the matter at hand. In many cases, it causes them to give in to your demand.

What Are the Benefits of Writing a Demand Letter?

Writing a demand letter will work in your favor:

  • Avoid litigation: You may potentially be able to avoid litigation by writing a demand letter and seeking out-of-court resolution. Litigation is likely to be a major commitment, taking a lot of time and money.
  • Put pressure on the recipient: A demand letter is seen as a serious step. The recipient is forced to sit up and take notice.
  • Show of good faith: The judiciary’s time is valuable. That’s why any attempt to resolve a matter before you use judicial resources is seen in a positive light.
  • Save time and money: Litigation is expensive and even if you win, you may not end up with much. A demand letter is worth the try.
  • Prepare your case: Demand letters have to be well-thought-out and carefully written. Drafting a demand letter may give you valuable insight into the matter at hand.

What Is Included in a Demand Letter?

Attorneys generally recommend including all the following in the demand letter:

  • The nature of the business relationship or transaction
  • The exact problem with details
  • A description of prior resolution attempts
  • Make an actionable demand
  • Provide an exact amount or action needed
  • Optionally offer repayment alternatives
  • Attach documents as evidence – like receipts or photos
  • State what you intend to do if the demands are not met.

Make sure to write the demand letter in a professional, non-threatening manner.

Conclusion

While anyone can write a demand letter, we recommend getting your attorney involved for legal advice. Also, you might want to use the free demand letter template we have on the CocoSign website. It should help you create an acceptable formal letter.

CocoSign offers free letters and other official documentation templates for a wide variety of scenarios.

Demand Letter Templates FAQ

How long should a demand letter be?

There are no set lengths for demand letters. They can be as long or as short as necessary, though most attorneys advise you to keep them brief. We recommend covering the matter concisely. Don’t talk about unrelated subjects.

What tone should I use in the demand letter?

Always, always write demand letters in a professional, formal way. Be careful to not use threatening language, lest it’s seen as an extortion attempt. The demand letter may later be used against you in court, so it’s a good idea to keep it as professional as possible.

Can a demand letter be sent by email?

Yes, a demand letter can be sent by email – it has no legal value, so the method of delivery is not relevant either. However, we recommend sending the demand letter by mail or courier in addition to email. It is more formal and shows you made an effort to reach the recipient.

What happens after a demand letter?

One of three things will happen after you send a demand letter:

How long does it take for the issue to resolve after the demand letter?

If the recipient is amenable to a settlement, it may take a month or two for them to make the payment. In high-value settlements, it can take multiple months. If you take them to court, it could take even longer.

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