What is a demand letter?

Is a Demand Letter another way to sue someone or a company or institution without doing it in the traditional lawsuit method? Is it also more affordable than a lawsuit? 

Bruce2021-01-27T14:50:27Z

A demand letter is simply a request. It has no legal bearing. If the demand letter is ignored, a lawsuit could be filed. The lawsuit would have legal bearing if successful. 

Morningfox2021-01-27T14:26:18Z

A demand letter is just a simple written statement that you want somebody to pay $X, or you will sue. It gives the other side a choice, it might start a negotiation. Almost always, you have to send a demand letter before you can start a lawsuit.

A demand letter is *much* cheaper than a lawsuit. You can write one yourself (not recommended, unless maybe you're planning a small claims case). Most lawyers will do one for a few hundred dollars, or even less.

Be *very* careful not to put anything slanderous in the letter, just cold hard objective relevant provable facts. You might think that the other guy is a liar and a thief, but your suing him for damaging your bicycle, not for lying about it.

Slickterp2021-01-27T14:04:28Z

The only way to sue someone is via lawsuit.  The demand letter is a step in that process, showing you have made efforts to collect prior to litigation.

?2021-01-27T13:56:18Z

No.  A demand letter is you telling them that they need to pay you or you are going to sue.  In most states you have to send one before you can file.

Maxi2021-01-27T12:18:39Z

A demand letter, is just what it states, it is demanding an action and often don't to make sure the person recieving it knows exactly what is expected BEFORE court/legal action