Demand Letter template.

A demand letter formally requests payment or action before legal proceedings, stating the facts, the amount owed or remedy required, the deadline and what will follow if it is ignored.

Use this template All templates

Free forever
Edit online
PDF & print
A4 & US Letter

Demand Letter template example on professional letterhead

When to use it

Chasing unpaid invoices
Recovering a deposit or refund
Demanding performance of a contract

What's included

Branded letterhead with logo and contact details
Subject line: FORMAL LEGAL DEMAND NOTICE
Summary box: Matter Reference, Amount Demanded, Response Deadline, Governing Law
Signature block and company seal

How to adapt this demand letter

Before you write

Gather the contract, invoice, payment history and evidence supporting the amount requested.
Identify the correct recipient, the remedy sought and any applicable pre-action procedure.

A practical example

For an unpaid invoice, list the invoice number, original due date, payments received and remaining balance. Explain how to pay or contact you if the balance is disputed.

Common mistake to avoid

Do not add unsupported interest, penalties or threats. A seven-day deadline is not a universal legal requirement.

Before you send

Check the balance and local notice requirements. Retain the letter and delivery record; obtain advice before threatening proceedings.

Fictional sample details are starting points to replace. Letter Studio formats documents; a logo, signature or stamp does not verify their contents or confer authority.

Sample text

Demand Letter example

This is a fictional example. Highlighted words use your editor details; replace all other sample names, dates, figures and bracketed instructions before sending.

Subject: FORMAL LEGAL DEMAND NOTICE

Dear Sir / Madam,

This letter constitutes a formal legal demand on behalf of Vertex Global Technologies regarding the outstanding matter referenced above.

Despite repeated good-faith attempts to resolve this matter informally, the respondent has failed to fulfill its contractual obligations amounting to $48,500.00 USD, as documented in the signed agreement dated March 1, 2026.

You are hereby formally demanded to remit full payment of the outstanding amount within fourteen (14) calendar days from the date of receipt of this notice. Failure to satisfy this demand within the stipulated period may lead us to consider further steps, subject to the applicable dispute-resolution procedure. Please contact us if you dispute the amount or wish to discuss payment.

We strongly encourage you to seek independent legal counsel and respond to this notice promptly.

Matter Reference: LGL-2026-DEM-0481
Amount Demanded: $48,500.00 USD
Response Deadline: Within 14 Days of Receipt
Governing Law: State of New York, USA

We trust you will give this matter the urgent attention it requires.

Yours sincerely,
Elena Rostova

Edit this letter now

Ready in five minutes.

01
Open
Click “Use this template” to open the demand letter in the free editor.
02
Personalise
Replace the sample names and details. Add your logo, signature and stamp.
03
Download
Export a print-ready PDF or print it. Fits A4, US Letter and window envelopes.

Learn more

Guide · 3 min readCease and desist vs demand letterRead the guide

FAQ

Demand letter questions.

What should a demand letter include?

A good demand letter clearly states matter reference, amount demanded, response deadline, governing law, along with the date, recipient details, a clear subject line and a signature. This template includes all of them, ready to edit.

What is a demand letter?

A formal letter asking someone to pay money owed or fix a problem by a deadline, and explaining what you will do if they don't. It is often the last step before legal action.

How long should I give in a demand letter?

Choose the response date after checking the contract and applicable pre-action requirements. There is no universal deadline. Give a calendar date and a way to raise a dispute.

Is this demand letter template really free?

Yes. The demand letter template is free to use, with no watermark and no limits on downloads.

Can I add my logo, signature and company stamp?

Yes. Upload your logo, draw or upload your signature and add an company seal or stamp. Everything is placed on the letter automatically and stays sharp in the PDF.

All templates