Free Demand Letter Templates
Copy-and-customize templates for every dispute type and tone. Fill in your details, add your state's laws, and send. No account required.
Templates by Tone
The right tone depends on your situation. First request? Start friendly. Third attempt? Go stern. Heading to court? Make it legal.
Friendly Demand Letter
A polite but clear request for payment or action. Best for first-time outreach to someone you have an ongoing relationship with, like a landlord, colleague, or local business.
Use This Template →Professional Demand Letter
Clean, business-appropriate formatting with factual presentation. Ideal for B2B disputes, vendor issues, unpaid invoices, and commercial disagreements.
Use This Template →Formal Demand Letter
Structured, authoritative language following traditional business letter conventions. Works well for larger claims and situations where you want to convey seriousness from the start.
Use This Template →Stern Demand Letter
Firm, no-nonsense tone for when previous requests have been ignored. Makes clear that you're prepared to take further action if the demand isn't met promptly.
Use This Template →Legal Demand Letter
References specific statutes and legal consequences. Designed for situations where you've researched applicable laws and want to demonstrate legal knowledge in your demand.
Use This Template →Final Demand Letter
The "last chance before I file" letter. References prior attempts at resolution and states a specific deadline for compliance before legal proceedings begin.
Use This Template →Templates by Dispute Type
Looking for a template specific to your situation? Each example below includes a complete letter with state-specific legal analysis.
Security Deposit Return
Demand return of your security deposit with state-specific deadlines and penalties. Covers wrongful deductions, interest requirements, and statutory damages.
View Template →Unpaid Wages
Demand payment for unpaid wages, overtime, or commissions. References FLSA provisions and state labor codes including waiting time penalties.
View Template →Contractor Dispute
Address shoddy work, abandoned projects, or unlicensed contractors. Covers licensing law violations and consumer protection treble damages.
View Template →Insurance Claim
Challenge denied or underpaid insurance claims. References bad faith statutes, prompt payment laws, and documentation requirements.
View Template →Property Damage
Demand compensation for damage to your property caused by negligence. Covers neighbor disputes, accidents, and commercial property damage.
View Template →Consumer Refund
Demand a refund for defective products, cancelled services, or broken warranties. References Magnuson-Moss and state consumer protection acts.
View Template →Universal Demand Letter Template
This fill-in-the-blank template works for any type of dispute. Replace the bracketed placeholders with your specific details. Every demand letter follows this same fundamental structure, whether you're demanding a security deposit refund or payment for unpaid services.
Pro Tip: Always send your demand letter via certified mail with return receipt requested. This creates proof that the recipient received your letter, which is critical if you end up in court. Keep a copy of everything.
How to Customize a Demand Letter Template
A template is a starting point, not a finished product. Here's how to turn a generic template into a letter that gets results.
1. Get Your Facts Straight
Before filling in any template, gather your documentation: contracts, receipts, photos, text messages, emails, and any other evidence. The more specific your letter, the more seriously it will be taken. Vague complaints get ignored. Specific demands with evidence get paid.
2. Research Your State's Laws
Every state has different consumer protection statutes, statute of limitations, and small claims court limits. A demand letter that cites the correct state law carries significantly more weight. Check our state-specific guides for the laws that apply to your situation.
3. Calculate Your Damages Accurately
Break down exactly what you're owed. Include the principal amount, any interest or penalties allowed by law, and incidental costs. Don't inflate your numbers (it undermines credibility), but don't leave money on the table either. Many state laws allow additional penalties for things like bad faith or late security deposit returns.
4. Set a Reasonable Deadline
Give the recipient 14 to 30 days to respond. Too short (like 3 days) can seem unreasonable to a judge. Too long (like 90 days) loses urgency. For most situations, 14-21 days strikes the right balance.
5. Choose the Right Tone
Match your tone to the situation:
- First request: Start with a friendly template
- Second attempt: Escalate to a professional or formal template
- Being ignored: Use a stern template
- Pre-litigation: Send a final demand with a legal tone
6. Include a Clear Consequence
Every effective demand letter states what happens if the demand isn't met. This is not a threat; it's information. Common consequences include filing in small claims court, reporting to the Better Business Bureau, filing a complaint with the state attorney general, or pursuing formal litigation.
Want to skip the customization? Our free AI generator automatically customizes your demand letter with state-specific laws, proper formatting, and the right tone based on your situation. It takes about 3 minutes.
Template vs. AI Generator: Which Should You Use?
Both approaches produce effective demand letters. Here's how to decide which is right for your situation.
| Feature | Template | AI Generator |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free |
| Time to complete | 30-60 minutes | 3-5 minutes |
| State-specific legal citations | Manual research | Automatic |
| Customization level | Full control | Guided + editable |
| Legal terminology | You add it | Built in |
| Best for | Simple, clear-cut disputes | Any dispute, especially complex ones |
Our recommendation: If your dispute is straightforward (e.g., someone owes you $500 and you have a receipt), a template works fine. For anything more complex, where you need state-specific legal citations, calculated damages, or proper legal formatting, the AI generator saves time and produces a stronger letter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a demand letter template include?
Every demand letter needs six elements: (1) your contact information, (2) the recipient's details, (3) a clear description of the dispute with dates and facts, (4) the specific amount or action demanded, (5) a reasonable deadline (14-30 days), and (6) what happens if the demand isn't met. Including references to applicable state laws significantly strengthens your letter.
Are free demand letter templates legally valid?
Yes. Demand letters don't require a specific format to be legally effective. What matters is that the letter clearly identifies the parties, describes the dispute factually, states a specific demand, and provides a reasonable deadline. Courts and opposing parties take well-written demand letters seriously regardless of whether they were created from a template, AI generator, or written from scratch.
Should I use a template or hire a lawyer?
For straightforward disputes under $10,000 (security deposits, unpaid invoices, consumer refunds), a template or AI generator is usually sufficient. For complex cases involving personal injury, employment discrimination, or claims over $25,000, consider consulting an attorney. Many people start with a template and escalate to a lawyer only if the letter doesn't resolve things.
What tone should my demand letter use?
Match the tone to your situation and history. Start friendly if it's your first request to someone you know. Go professional for business disputes. Use a stern tone when you've been ignored. Reserve the final demand tone for your last communication before filing in court. Never use threatening or abusive language in any version.
How do I customize a template for my state?
Each state has different consumer protection statutes, deadlines, and small claims limits. When customizing: reference your state's specific statute, verify the statute of limitations for your claim type, check the small claims dollar limit, and note any mandatory pre-suit notice periods. Our state guides cover all 50 states, or the AI generator handles state customization automatically.
How should I send my demand letter?
Send via certified mail with return receipt requested through USPS. This creates a legal record that the recipient received your letter. Keep the green card (return receipt) and a copy of the letter. Some people also send a duplicate via email for speed. For more details, read our guide on how to send a demand letter.
What happens after I send a demand letter?
Most demand letters result in one of four outcomes: (1) the recipient pays or complies in full, (2) they propose a settlement or payment plan, (3) they dispute your claim in writing, or (4) they ignore you. If they pay, you're done. If they propose terms, evaluate whether accepting is better than court. If they dispute or ignore, you can proceed to small claims court or formal litigation. Learn more about demand letter success rates.
Related Resources
- How to Write a Demand Letter - Comprehensive guide to writing effective demand letters
- How to Send a Demand Letter - Delivery methods, certified mail, and proof of service
- Do Demand Letters Work? - Success rates and what to expect
- Small Claims Court Demand Letter - When and why you need one before filing
- Demand Letter Examples - Complete letters with legal analysis for 6 dispute types
- State-Specific Guides - Laws and requirements for all 50 states
Ready to Write Your Demand Letter?
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