Demand Letter in California

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 California law says

Small claims limit	$12,500 for a natural person (including a sole proprietor); $6,250 for a business or public entity. No one may file more than two small claims cases for over $2,500 each in a calendar year. A plaintiff with a larger claim may give up the excess and sue in small claims. Different limits apply in suits against a guarantor (CCP § 116.220(c)). Source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 116.110 et seq.; Judicial Council form SC-100-INFO (Rev. Jan. 1, 2024)
Filing fee	$30 for claims up to $1,500; $50 for over $1,500 up to $5,000; $75 for over $5,000 up to $12,500; $100 if you have filed more than 12 small claims in the past 12 months. Fee waivers are available for people on public benefits, below an income level, or who cannot pay and meet basic needs. Source: California Courts Self-Help Guide, File your small claims forms

Small claims limit

$12,500 for a natural person (including a sole proprietor); $6,250 for a business or public entity. No one may file more than two small claims cases for over $2,500 each in a calendar year.

A plaintiff with a larger claim may give up the excess and sue in small claims. Different limits apply in suits against a guarantor (CCP § 116.220(c)).

Source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 116.110 et seq.; Judicial Council form SC-100-INFO (Rev. Jan. 1, 2024)

Filing fee

$30 for claims up to $1,500; $50 for over $1,500 up to $5,000; $75 for over $5,000 up to $12,500; $100 if you have filed more than 12 small claims in the past 12 months. Fee waivers are available for people on public benefits, below an income level, or who cannot pay and meet basic needs.

Source: California Courts Self-Help Guide, File your small claims forms

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 · California 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.