Demand Letter in Alabama

A demand letter asks someone to pay or fix a problem before you go to small claims court. Many judges expect one, and it is useful evidence. Your state's small claims limit and fee are shown below.

What Alabama law says

Small claims limit	$6,000, exclusive of interest and costs. Eviction (unlawful detainer) cases are not small claims cases; they are filed on the regular district court docket (Ala. Small Claims Rule A). Source: Ala. Code § 12-12-31(a); Escambia County Circuit Clerk small claims page
Filing fee	Fees are set by claim amount. Example (Escambia County district court schedule): one plaintiff/one defendant with certified-mail service is $80 (claims up to $1,500), $154 (up to $3,000) or $243 (up to $6,000), plus certified mail cost; sheriff or process-server service is $110, $184 or $273. A filer who cannot afford the fee may ask to proceed on an Affidavit of Substantial Hardship (form C-10-Civil). Totals include local charges and can differ from county to county; check the clerk in the county where you file. Source: Escambia County Civil Filing Fees for SM; Alacourt eForms small claims page

Small claims limit

$6,000, exclusive of interest and costs.

Eviction (unlawful detainer) cases are not small claims cases; they are filed on the regular district court docket (Ala. Small Claims Rule A).

Source: Ala. Code § 12-12-31(a); Escambia County Circuit Clerk small claims page

Filing fee

Fees are set by claim amount. Example (Escambia County district court schedule): one plaintiff/one defendant with certified-mail service is $80 (claims up to $1,500), $154 (up to $3,000) or $243 (up to $6,000), plus certified mail cost; sheriff or process-server service is $110, $184 or $273. A filer who cannot afford the fee may ask to proceed on an Affidavit of Substantial Hardship (form C-10-Civil).

Totals include local charges and can differ from county to county; check the clerk in the county where you file.

Source: Escambia County Civil Filing Fees for SM; Alacourt eForms small claims page

Fill it in

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[today's date]

To: [person or business name], [their address]

From: [your name], [your address]

This letter is a formal demand for $[amount demanded] for [what happened, with dates].

[Short list of facts and attached documents: contract, receipts, photos, messages.]

Please pay this amount by [payment deadline] by [payment method].

If I do not receive payment by then, I intend to file a claim in [court name] without further notice.

[your name] [phone or email]

Demand Letter for other states · Alabama tenant rights

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.