A demand letter, also known as a claim letter, is a formal notification from one party to another, asserting a legal claim or demanding specific action to resolve a dispute. Often drafted by an attorney, a well-crafted demand letter serves as a crucial first step in resolving conflicts outside of court. It outlines the issue, the desired resolution, and the potential consequences of non-compliance. This document can be instrumental in fostering amicable settlements and avoiding costly litigation.
Drafting a compelling demand letter requires careful attention to detail. It needs to be clear, concise, and factually accurate. The letter should present a logical argument, citing relevant laws or contractual obligations. Furthermore, it must clearly state the specific remedy sought, whether it’s monetary compensation, performance of a contract, or cessation of certain activities. A strong demand letter also sets a firm, yet professional, tone, demonstrating the sender’s seriousness about pursuing legal action if necessary.
7 Demand Letter Samples
Sample 1: Demand for Payment of Debt
[Your Law Firm Letterhead]
[Date]
[Debtor’s Name]
[Debtor’s Address]
RE: Demand for Payment of Outstanding Debt
Dear [Debtor’s Name],
This letter serves as a formal demand for payment of the outstanding balance of [Amount] owed to [Your Name/Company Name] pursuant to [Describe the basis of the debt – e.g., contract dated X, invoice number Y].
We have attached copies of [Relevant Documents, e.g., the contract and invoices] for your review. Despite repeated requests, the debt remains unpaid. We demand that you remit the full amount of [Amount] within [Number] days of the date of this letter. Failure to comply will result in further legal action, including but not limited to filing a lawsuit to recover the debt, along with accrued interest and legal fees.
We urge you to contact our office immediately to discuss payment arrangements.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Attorney Name]
Sample 2: Demand for Property Damage
[Your Law Firm Letterhead]
[Date]
[Defendant’s Name]
[Defendant’s Address]
RE: Demand for Compensation – Property Damage
Dear [Defendant’s Name],
I am writing to you on behalf of my client, [Client Name], regarding the damage to their property located at [Client’s Property Address] caused by [Brief Description of the Event Causing Damage] on [Date of Incident].
As a result of your negligence/actions, [Client Name] suffered significant property damage, including [list of damages]. The total cost of repairs is estimated at [Amount]. We have enclosed estimates from [Repair Company] for your reference.
We demand that you compensate our client for the full amount of [Amount] within [Number] days of this letter. Failure to do so will result in legal action.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Attorney Name]
Sample 3: Demand for Cease and Desist (Copyright Infringement)
[Your Law Firm Letterhead]
[Date]
[Infringer’s Name]
[Infringer’s Address]
RE: Cease and Desist Demand – Copyright Infringement
Dear [Infringer’s Name],
It has come to our attention that you are infringing on the copyright of our client, [Copyright Holder’s Name], with respect to [Description of Copyrighted Work, e.g., book title, software, image]. Specifically, you are [Describe the infringing activity, e.g., copying and distributing, displaying without permission] the copyrighted work without authorization.
Our client is the exclusive copyright holder of the aforementioned work, registered with the U.S. Copyright Office under registration number [Registration Number, if applicable]. Your actions constitute a clear violation of federal copyright law.
We demand that you immediately cease and desist from all further infringing activities, including but not limited to [List specific infringing activities]. We further demand that you provide us with a written accounting of all profits derived from the infringing activities within [Number] days of the date of this letter. Failure to comply with these demands will compel us to pursue all available legal remedies, including injunctive relief and monetary damages.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Attorney Name]
Sample 4: Demand for Breach of Contract
[Your Law Firm Letterhead]
[Date]
[Breaching Party’s Name]
[Breaching Party’s Address]
RE: Demand for Cure – Breach of Contract
Dear [Breaching Party’s Name],
This letter serves as a formal notification that you are in breach of the contract entered into on [Date of Contract] between [Your Client/Company Name] and [Breaching Party’s Name] (the “Contract”).
Specifically, you have breached Section [Section Number] of the Contract by [Describe the Specific Breach]. As a result of this breach, our client has suffered damages in the amount of [Amount].
We demand that you cure the breach within [Number] days of the date of this letter by [Specify the action required to cure the breach]. If you fail to cure the breach within the specified timeframe, we will pursue all available legal remedies, including but not limited to specific performance and monetary damages.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Attorney Name]
Sample 5: Demand for Return of Security Deposit
[Your Law Firm Letterhead]
[Date]
[Landlord’s Name]
[Landlord’s Address]
RE: Demand for Return of Security Deposit
Dear [Landlord’s Name],
This letter constitutes a formal demand for the return of my client, [Tenant’s Name]‘s, security deposit in the amount of [Amount]. My client resided at [Property Address] from [Start Date] to [End Date], pursuant to a lease agreement dated [Date of Lease].
My client vacated the premises on [Date Vacated] and left the property in good condition, beyond normal wear and tear. As such, you are obligated to return the security deposit in full, according to [State Law or Lease Agreement Section Number].
We demand the full security deposit of [Amount] be returned to [Tenant’s Name] at [Tenant’s Address] within [Number] days. Failure to comply will result in legal action to recover the deposit, plus statutory damages and attorney’s fees as allowed by law.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Attorney Name]
Sample 6: Demand for Settlement (Personal Injury)
[Your Law Firm Letterhead]
[Date]
[Insurance Adjuster’s Name]
[Insurance Company Name]
[Insurance Company Address]
RE: Demand for Settlement – Personal Injury Claim – [Client Name]
Dear [Insurance Adjuster’s Name],
This letter serves as a formal demand for settlement on behalf of our client, [Client Name], who sustained injuries as a result of an incident that occurred on [Date of Incident] at [Location of Incident], caused by your insured, [Insured’s Name]. [Briefly describe the incident].
As a direct result of your insured’s negligence, [Client Name] sustained [List of Injuries]. [Client Name] has incurred medical expenses totaling [Amount] and lost wages of [Amount] to date. We have enclosed copies of medical records, bills, and wage loss documentation for your review.
Based on the severity of the injuries, ongoing medical treatment, and lost income, we demand a settlement in the amount of [Amount] to compensate our client for their damages. This demand is open for [Number] days, after which we will advise our client to pursue all available legal options.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Attorney Name]
Sample 7: Demand for Defamation Retraction
[Your Law Firm Letterhead]
[Date]
[Defamer’s Name]
[Defamer’s Address]
RE: Demand for Retraction – Defamatory Statements
Dear [Defamer’s Name],
This letter concerns defamatory statements you made on [Date of Statement], published/spoken at [Location of Statement, e.g., website, newspaper, public forum]. These statements falsely alleged that [Specifically quote or describe the defamatory statement].
These statements are false and have caused significant damage to [Client Name]‘s reputation and [Specific damages, e.g., business relationships, emotional distress]. Your actions constitute defamation.
We demand that you immediately retract the defamatory statements. This retraction must be published/spoken in the same forum as the original statements and must be of equal prominence. The retraction must clearly state that the original statements were false and that you apologize for making them. We require this retraction to be completed within [Number] days of the date of this letter. Failure to comply will result in legal action for defamation, seeking damages and injunctive relief.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Attorney Name]
Disclaimer: These demand letter samples are for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Each situation is unique, and it is crucial to consult with a qualified attorney to draft a demand letter tailored to your specific circumstances. An attorney can ensure that your letter complies with all applicable laws and effectively protects your legal rights. Using these samples without consulting with an attorney is done at your own risk.
