Did you know that many disputes get resolved without going to court?
A demand letter asking for what you want not only helps settle a dispute but also has other uses.
Even though how well it works can depend on different things, these letters usually don’t take a lot of time, effort, or money.
What Purposes Do Demand Letters Serve?
A good letter asking for what you want can do a few important things:
- Explain Your Side: It helps you tell the other person or business why you’re upset and what you want them to do. For example, if they damaged your property, the letter should say what they need to do to fix it and why it’s important.
- Start Talks about Settling: The letter shows you’re willing to talk and find a solution. You might say something like, “I want to fix this without going to court.”
- Warn About Legal Action: It often ends with a deadline and a warning that you might go to court if they don’t do what you’re asking. This is important if your problem involves a law that says you have to tell them before you sue.
- Be Proof in Court: If you do go to court, the letter can be evidence. It shows you tried to settle things nicely before going to court, and it explains your side and what harm the other person or business caused. For example, if your landlord won’t give back your deposit, the letter can show you told them about the law they’re breaking.
Attorney Demand Letters v. Non-Attorney Demand Letters
You don’t need a lawyer to write a demand letter; you can do it yourself and send it your way. When deciding whether to hire a lawyer, think about:
- Cost: Consider how much it will cost to hire a lawyer.
- Complexity: If your case is very complicated or involves a specific area of law, like negligence or personal injury, a lawyer might be helpful.
- Credibility: Having a lawyer send the demand letter might make it more credible and impactful.
In the end, a demand letter from a lawyer might be more effective but think about the costs before deciding to go that route.
What are the Next Steps After Sending a Demand Letter?
After you send your demand letter, one of these things might happen:
- The other party agrees to what you asked for.
- The other party wants to talk more about it.
- The other party ignores the letter or says no.
If they ignore your letter or the response doesn’t fix the problem, you can try sending one more letter before going to court. If that doesn’t work, you can think about going to small claims court.
It’s where people and businesses quickly and affordably resolve smaller money issues.
They deal with different problems like debts, contract issues, property damage, and problems between landlords and tenants.