Demand Letter in Michigan
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 Michigan law says
| Small claims limit | $7,000 for cases seeking recovery of money (since January 1, 2024). Final step of the schedule in the statute ($5,000 in 2012 rising to $7,000 in 2024). By staying in small claims, parties waive any recovery above the limit (MCL 600.8412). Source: MCL 600.8401 |
|---|---|
| Filing fee | $25 if the claim is $600 or less; $45 for over $600 up to $1,750; $65 for over $1,750. Postage for mailing the affidavit to each defendant is extra, and a personal server receives the same fee and mileage as for other district court service. Writs of execution, attachment or garnishment and debtor discovery subpoenas cost $15. Source: MCL 600.8420 |
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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 · Michigan 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.