How long does someone have to respond to a demand letter?

There is no universal legal requirement. The response deadline is whatever you set in your letter, typically 14-30 days. Some states have specific requirements for certain claim types (e.g., 30 days for Massachusetts 93A claims, 60 days for Texas DTPA claims).

Is someone legally required to respond to a demand letter?

No. A demand letter is not a court order, and there is no legal obligation to respond. However, ignoring a demand letter typically leads to a lawsuit and can result in the judge viewing the non-response unfavorably. In some states, failing to respond can result in enhanced damages.

What happens if someone doesn't respond to a demand letter?

If the recipient ignores your demand letter, you should verify delivery, give a 5-7 day grace period, send a brief follow-up notice, then follow through on your stated next steps (typically filing in small claims court or making regulatory complaints).

What is a reasonable deadline for a demand letter?

14 days is standard for most personal disputes and debts. 21-30 days is appropriate for business disputes and insurance claims. 7-10 days is acceptable for follow-up letters or urgent matters. Government entities should generally be given at least 30 days.

Demand Letter Response Time: How Long Do They Have? (2026)

Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for advice specific to your situation.

Short answer: There's no universal legal requirement. In most cases, the deadline in your demand letter is the deadline. But some states have specific requirements for certain types of disputes, and choosing the right timeframe matters.

The General Rule

For most demand letters, there is no law dictating how long someone has to respond. The deadline is whatever you set in your letter. Common timeframes:

14-30 Days

The standard response window for most demand letters

7-10 days: Urgent matters, time-sensitive claims, or follow-up letters after a first attempt was ignored
14 days: Standard for most personal disputes, debt collection, and property damage claims
21 days: Common for business-to-business disputes
30 days: Standard for complex matters, large claims, or when required by state law

Why the deadline matters: Your deadline isn't just a suggestion. It's the date after which you've committed to take your next step (usually filing in court). Setting an unreasonably short deadline can look aggressive and may hurt your credibility. Setting it too far out delays your resolution.

State-Specific Legal Requirements

Some states mandate specific waiting periods before you can file certain types of lawsuits. If your state requires a demand letter, it also specifies how long to wait:

State	Requirement	Wait Period
Massachusetts	93A consumer protection claims	30 days
California	Lemon law claims	30 days
Texas	Deceptive Trade Practices Act	60 days
Florida	Insurance bad faith claims	60 days
Georgia	Bad check recovery (treble damages)	10 days
New York	Security deposit return	14 days (reasonable time)
Michigan	Consumer protection claims	Varies by claim type
Arizona	Consumer fraud	Reasonable time

Critical: If your state requires a specific waiting period before filing suit, you must wait that long, even if the recipient responds earlier. Filing too soon could get your case dismissed. When in doubt, check your state's requirements at your state's courts website or our state-specific guides.

How to Choose the Right Deadline

Factors to Consider:

1. Type of Dispute

Unpaid debt/invoice: 14 days is standard. They know they owe you.
Security deposit: 14-30 days. Check your state's security deposit laws for specific timeframes.
Insurance claim: 30 days. Insurance companies have internal processes.
Business dispute: 21-30 days. Gives time for internal review.
Personal injury: 30 days. Allows time for the insurer to evaluate the claim.

2. Urgency

If you're dealing with ongoing harm (a landlord who won't make repairs, an employer withholding wages), shorter deadlines are justified.

3. Recipient Type

Individual: 14-21 days is fair
Small business: 14-21 days
Large company: 21-30 days (mail rooms, legal departments, and approval chains take time)
Government entity: 30 days minimum

4. Is This Your First or Second Letter?

If this is a follow-up to a previous demand that was ignored, a shorter deadline (7-10 days) is appropriate. They've already had their chance to respond.

Are They Legally Required to Respond?

No. This is a crucial point that many people misunderstand. There is no legal obligation to respond to a demand letter. A demand letter is not a court order. It's a formal request.

The consequences of not responding are practical, not legal:

You'll likely file a lawsuit or take other action
The judge will see they refused to engage with a reasonable attempt at resolution
They lose the chance to settle for less than what a court might award
In some states (like Massachusetts 93A), failing to respond to a demand letter can result in treble damages and attorney's fees

The real consequence: While they're not legally required to respond, not responding is almost always a bad strategy. It usually means the dispute escalates to court, which costs them more time and money. Read more about what happens after you send a demand letter.

What to Do When the Deadline Passes

Step 1: Verify Delivery (Day 1 after deadline)

Check your certified mail tracking. Was the letter delivered? Did someone sign for it? If it was returned as undeliverable, you may need to try again or use a different address.

Step 2: Give a Brief Grace Period (Days 1-7)

Wait about 5-7 days past your deadline. Mail can be slow, people travel, and businesses have processing times. A short grace period also shows the judge you were reasonable.

Step 3: Send a Final Notice (Day 7-10)

Send a brief one-paragraph follow-up: "This letter is to notify you that I have not received a response to my demand letter dated [date]. If I do not hear from you within 7 days, I will proceed with [your stated next step]."

Step 4: Follow Through (Day 14-17 after original deadline)

Take the action you stated in your letter. If you said you'd file in small claims court, go file. If you threatened regulatory complaints, file them.

This is the moment that matters most. People who send demand letters and don't follow through when ignored lose all credibility. People who follow through get results, either from the legal process or because the other party takes them seriously the next time.

Calculating Your Timeline

Here's a practical example for a 14-day demand letter:

Day 0: Send demand letter via certified mail
Day 3: Letter delivered (confirmed via tracking)
Day 17: Your 14-day deadline from delivery date
Day 24: Grace period ends
Day 24-28: Send final notice
Day 31-35: File in court or take other action

Ready to Set Your Deadline?

Our free demand letter generator includes appropriate response deadlines based on your state and dispute type.

Create Your Free Demand Letter

Key Takeaways

There's no universal legal requirement for response time; your stated deadline applies
14-30 days is the standard response window for most demand letters
Some states require specific waiting periods before filing certain types of lawsuits
Recipients are NOT legally required to respond, but ignoring a demand letter usually backfires
Give a 5-7 day grace period after your deadline before escalating
Always follow through on your stated consequences

Free Tools: Try our Damages Calculator, Dispute Diagnostic Quiz, or Statute of Limitations Lookup.

How Long Does Someone Have to Respond to a Demand Letter?