Business legal help desk · United States
Demand Letter Guide

Start here

Something legal just landed. Start here.

Most small-business owners meet the legal system for the first time when an envelope arrives. This site answers four questions for each kind of envelope: what is this, how bad is it, what do I do this week, and when do I need a lawyer. It is organised like a textbook, in numbered chapters, with the statute cited at the foot of each page.

What did you receive?

Pick the one that matches the document on your desk. If you are not sure, start with the first: most threatening letters are demand letters of one kind or another.

Chapter 1A demand letterSomeone says you owe them money or must stop doing something, and gives a deadline.Chapter 2A lawsuitYou were served with a summons and complaint. There is a court and a case number.Chapter 3A government noticeA state attorney general, the FTC, the FCC or the Department of Labor wants something from you.Chapter 4A cease and desistA letter telling you to stop: using a name, a photo, a former employee, a claim.Chapter 5A threat to sueA customer or an employee, current or former, says they are going to a lawyer.

Contents

Part I. What landed on the desk

  1. 1A demand letter
  2. 2A lawsuit
  3. 3A government notice
  4. 4A cease and desist
  5. 5A threat from a customer or employee

Part II. Demand letters by type

  1. 6Telemarketing and texting (TCPA, FTSA)
  2. 7ADA website accessibility
  3. 8Copyright and image licensing
  4. 9Patent and trademark
  5. 10Wage and employment claims
  6. 11Unpaid invoices and collections

Part III. Responding

  1. 12How to respond
  2. 13Settle or fight
  3. 14Finding a lawyer
  4. 15Limitation periods

Reference

  1. 16Glossary