Can a demand letter be used to recover unpaid wages from an employer?

Hello - so sorry that you received this. First off, be aware that there is zero requirement that you reply to a demand letter; sometimes, strategically, it's better not to, because anything you say could be used against you should the employer escalate the matter. Second, in many demand letters, a lawsuit is threatened, but many people make threats and never follow through with a lawsuit. Third, if the letter is from the employer, rather than from an attorney, it's less likely to be factually and legall accurate than if it came from an attorney. Finally, if you are concerned, it'd be a good idea to have the letter AND your contract AND any other pertinent information reviewed by an employment attorney. I'd be happy to help you with this if you'd like to request me, and I can almost always provide a quick turnaround.

Sure. It’s wise to have an attorney review any correspondence you’d send to an adversary you’re contemplating legal action against and it is often the case that such a letter when issued on an attorney’s letterhead triggers a response. That said, employment law is tricky since MA is an at will state meaning an employer can terminate for any reason at all outside of racial/sex/orientation bases or retaliation . Obviously there are nuances, but these are the broad strokes.

It is always an excellent idea to (1) Use a polite and professional tone, along the lines of how you would write if your letter could end up in front of a judge some day; (2) Have a friend or family member review your letter with you before you send it; and (3) include all your pertinent contact information. However, I do want to mention that when you write back, if you don't know what the debt is for, you are within your rights to request written verification of what the debt is for - I mention this because there is a popular scam of sending fake debt collection letters to people and causing them all kinds of stress and distress.

Unfortunately, often, one can cite all the laws one wants, but the person who owes the debt may simply be unwilling or unable to pay. If the debt is for less than $10,000, consider filing in Small Claims Court in your county. Here is the statewide information: https://www.courts.wa.gov/newsinfo/resources/?altMenu=smal&fa=newsinfo_jury.scc In addition, many counties, such as King, have their own websites and lots of information. When you file in Small Claims Court, be sure to include copies of all relevent paperwork, including any letters you sent to the defendent. And request reimbursement for the debt, interest, the cost of filing the Small Claims case, and any related costs/expenses. Even if you win, however, you may not get paid - but if you win, you will have some other ways to collect, such as garnishing wages or a bank account. I'd be happy to help coach you through the Small Claims process if you'd like to request my help through ContractsCounsel.com

Agreed; however, in order for a demand letter to be the most effective, it needs to be drafted by an attorney that is licensed in the state of the issue; for you, you will need a CA licensed attorney. This will ensure that when the demand letter is served by a CA attorney, the company will know that the attorney is licensed to bring a lawsuit in that state and therefore, it typically will ensure that it the demand letter is not ignored. You will need to post your job request on the website "Looking for a CA lawyer to send demand letter to PayPal" and outline what you need the lawyer to do. Lawyers licensed in CA will respond to your post, and after you speak with and choose a lawyer, the work can be done. Be sure to discuss and agree upon the price and the time in which you would like the work to be completed. All the best, Donya Gordon