Unpaid Wages Demand Letter
Demand payment of wages your employer owes you. Covers unpaid regular wages, overtime, final paychecks, minimum wage violations, illegal deductions, and unpaid commissions. Includes your state's specific statute, deadline, and penalty provisions, plus federal FLSA protections.
Statute of Limitations Warning
Legal deadlines apply to your claim. You lose your right to act if you wait too long. Send notice as soon as possible.
Why this letter works:
- Cites the exact law: Automatically applies the correct state and federal statutes to your situation.
- Sets a firm deadline: Legally compels a response within the required statutory timeframe.
- Creates a paper trail: Designed to serve as Exhibit A if you need to escalate to an agency or court.
Answer a few questions and we'll create your personalized letter.
New here? Read the full guide on minimum wage first.
One-time price:$19Paid once at the end. No subscription.
What you'll get
Below is a real example. Your version will be personalized with your name, the exact statute that applies where you are, and the right deadline.
March 22, 2026
RE: Demand for Unpaid Wages — Final Paycheck
To Whom It May Concern:
My employment with Bright Star Restaurants ended on March 1, 2026. Under California Labor Code § 201, all earned and unpaid wages were due immediately upon termination. To date, I have not received my final paycheck of $2,460.00, which represents 82 hours of work at $30.00 per hour.
Pursuant to California Labor Code § 203, you are now liable for waiting-time penalties equal to my daily wage for each day the wages remain unpaid, up to a maximum of 30 days. As of today, that penalty has accrued to $5,040.00 and continues to grow.
I demand payment of all wages and accrued penalties within 7 days of receipt of this letter. If I do not receive payment, I will file a wage claim with the California Labor Commissioner.
The full letter — including the statute citations for your state — is shown above. Only the recipient block, signature, and mailing instructions are masked. They appear in the PDF you download after payment ($19).
Your Action Plan
This letter is part of a formal escalation process.
Download your personalized PDF immediately after purchase and send it.
Your letter includes a firm deadline. Do not engage in informal text messages during this time.
If they miss the deadline, return to us using the link in your email receipt. You will unlock the next stage document at a discounted rate.
Your Situation
Tell us about your wage dispute so we can tailor your letter to your state's law.
This determines which wage payment law and penalties apply to your letter.
Select all that apply to your situation.
Your most recent title with this employer.
Before you start
What exactly do I get, and when?
A personalized PDF letter, written around the statute that applies to your situation, with the deadline and the consequence spelled out. It downloads the moment payment confirms, back here on commoner-law.com — there is no waiting period and no account to create. You can also add certified mail at checkout and we will send the physical letter for you.
How much is it?
$19, once. Not a subscription, and nothing is charged until you complete payment on Stripe at the end of the wizard. Any add-ons you select show their own price before you pay.
Is this legal advice?
This tool creates a demand letter for self-help purposes. It is not legal advice and does not replace consultation with a licensed attorney. A demand letter is a formal request — it does not guarantee your wages will be paid. Wage and hour law is complex, and individual situations vary. If you believe you have been misclassified as an independent contractor, or if your employer has filed for bankruptcy, consult an employment attorney.
What if I need to change something afterwards?
Tell us and we will either adjust the letter and send you the updated version at no cost, or refund you in full — your choice. If we can’t deliver what you paid for, the refund is automatic. Full terms are on our promise page.
Do I have to pay to know if I have a case?
No. The rights encyclopedia on this site is free and cites the same primary sources the letter does. Read the relevant guide first — plenty of situations are resolved by a phone call to a free statutory body, and where one exists we say so.