Why You Should Never Ignore a Demand Letter

Why You Should Never Ignore a Demand Letter

Why You Should Never Ignore a Demand Letter

20+ Years of Experience
Civil litigation, mediation, negotiation, appeals, and more
Affordable Representation
Large-firm experience without the large price tag
Clear Communications
Correspondence and legal briefs you can actually understand
20+ Years of Experience
Civil litigation, mediation, negotiation, appeals, and more
Affordable Representation
Large-firm experience without the large price tag
Clear Communications
Correspondence and legal briefs you can actually understand
Ignoring a civil demand letter may be tempting.
Don’t.
Thankfully, you just took your first step toward resolution.
Ignoring a civil demand letter from an attorney is a mistake. Certainly, civil demand letters are a standard part of doing business in today’s economy. To clarify, a civil demand letter from an attorney is basically a demand that you cease some behavior or business activity because it violates their rights or a claim for payment. In short, a demand letter seeking payment usually includes:
- How much you owe,
- why you owe it,
- and a deadline by which you need to comply to avoid a lawsuit.
On the other hand, a “cease and desist” demand letter will claim that you are engaging in some improper business practice. For example, it may allege misappropriation of trade secrets, tortious interference, or business disparagement. In other words, it demands that you change or stop your behavior.
Why are civil demand letters sent?
Common reasons include:
- past-due payments for loans, trade accounts, or purchase agreements
- unfair, deceptive or otherwise improper business practices
- employment or personal injury claims
- failure to make lease or mortgage payments
- pre-litigation notices required by an agreement or statute
Will ignoring a civil demand letter make it go away?
Ignoring civil demand letters may be tempting. But don’t. Here’s why:
- Firstly, you will very likely end up in a lawsuit and miss the opportunity for early resolution.
- Secondly, judges and juries do not appreciate those who ignore civil demand letters that assert a legitimate claim.
- Your non-response to the demand letter from an attorney may be considered evidence of intentional wrongdoing or willful violation of the other party’s rights.
- Moreover, penalty provisions and attorney’s fees may substantially increase the amount you owe.
- In addition, for a “cease and desist” letter, failure to change your conduct may result in a restraining order against you.
But here’s the good news…
You probably want to avoid the uncertainty and expense of litigation. Likewise, your creditors typically do, too. As an experienced business attorney, I can find the vulnerabilities in their claim against you, using that to negotiate from a position of strength, not weakness.
…and the better news.
Don’t accept the demand letter claims at face value without consulting an attorney. For instance, there may be hidden issues that invalidate the claim against you. For example, I have frequently achieved success for my clients who have received civil demand letters by exploiting contract terms, thoroughly researching and using relevant law, and leveraging strong negotiating tactics. After settlement, I ensure that the final agreements appropriately protect my clients’ interests and do not contain traps for the unwary.
Contact me now.
In conclusion, don’t underestimate the need for prompt professional legal advice. I can help to ensure that your response to the demand letter protects your rights and interests. Call me today at 612-741-4732, and I’ll connect with you as soon as possible.
“Mr. Meyer is a miracle worker.”
We had almost given up hope on being able to get out of the immensely difficult situation one of our hostile creditors put us in recently. However, when we met Mathew, his knowledge, experience, and wisdom allowed us to understand how we could protect ourselves and our business from being sabotaged by this creditor.
Excerpt from AVVO testimonial.
See AVVO profile for full testimonials.
“Mr. Meyer ... literally saved our company.”
Mr. Meyer used his stringent negotiation skills that literally saved our company from shutting down. We now have a chance to survive and stay operational as he not only got us out of the huge mess the creditor created but also got us a major discount (almost 60%) on our dues which is incredible.
Excerpt from AVVO testimonial.
See AVVO profile for full testimonials.
Contact me today.
Call 612-741-4732, or fill out the form below, and I’ll connect with you as soon as possible.
Mathew Meyer
Education
| Cornell Law School, Juris Doctorate, concentration in Business Law and Regulation
| University of Minnesota, Bachelor of Arts
“Mr. Meyer is a miracle worker.”
We had almost given up hope on being able to get out of the immensely difficult situation one of our hostile creditors put us in recently. However, when we met Mathew, his knowledge, experience, and wisdom allowed us to understand how we could protect ourselves and our business from being sabotaged by this creditor.
Excerpt from AVVO testimonial.
See AVVO profile for full testimonials.
“Mr. Meyer ... literally saved our company.”
Mr. Meyer used his stringent negotiation skills that literally saved our company from shutting down. We now have a chance to survive and stay operational as he not only got us out of the huge mess the creditor created but also got us a major discount (almost 60%) on our dues which is incredible.
Excerpt from AVVO testimonial.
See AVVO profile for full testimonials.
Ignoring a civil demand letter may be tempting.
Don’t.
Thankfully, you just took your first step
toward resolution.
Ignoring a civil demand letter from an attorney is a mistake. Certainly, civil demand letters are a standard part of doing business in today’s economy. To clarify, a civil demand letter from an attorney is basically a demand that you cease some behavior or business activity because it violates their rights or a claim for payment. In short, a demand letter seeking payment usually includes:
- How much you owe,
- why you owe it,
- and a deadline by which you need to comply to avoid a lawsuit.
On the other hand, a “cease and desist” demand letter will claim that you are engaging in some improper business practice. For example, it may allege misappropriation of trade secrets, tortious interference, or business disparagement. In other words, it demands that you change or stop your behavior.
Why are civil demand letters sent?
Common reasons include:
- past-due payments for loans, trade accounts, or purchase agreements
- unfair, deceptive or otherwise improper business practices
- employment or personal injury claims
- failure to make lease or mortgage payments
- pre-litigation notices required by an agreement or statute
Will ignoring a civil demand letter make it go away?
Ignoring civil demand letters may be tempting. But don’t. Here’s why:
- Firstly, you will very likely end up in a lawsuit and miss the opportunity for early resolution.
- Secondly, judges and juries do not appreciate those who ignore civil demand letters that assert a legitimate claim.
- Your non-response to the demand letter from an attorney may be considered evidence of intentional wrongdoing or willful violation of the other party’s rights.
- Moreover, penalty provisions and attorney’s fees may substantially increase the amount you owe.
- In addition, for a “cease and desist” letter, failure to change your conduct may result in a restraining order against you.
But here’s the good news…
You probably want to avoid the uncertainty and expense of litigation. Likewise, your creditors typically do, too. As an experienced business attorney, I can find the vulnerabilities in their claim against you, using that to negotiate from a position of strength, not weakness.
…and the better news.
Don’t accept the demand letter claims at face value without consulting an attorney. For instance, there may be hidden issues that invalidate the claim against you. For example, I have frequently achieved success for my clients who have received civil demand letters by exploiting contract terms, thoroughly researching and using relevant law, and leveraging strong negotiating tactics. After settlement, I ensure that the final agreements appropriately protect my clients’ interests and do not contain traps for the unwary.
Contact me now.
In conclusion, don’t underestimate the need for prompt professional legal advice. I can help to ensure that your response to the demand letter protects your rights and interests. Call me today at 612-741-4732, and I’ll connect with you as soon as possible.
Contact me today.
Call 612-741-4732, or fill out the form below, and I’ll connect with you as soon as possible.
Mathew Meyer
Education
| Cornell Law School, Juris Doctorate, concentration in Business Law and Regulation
| University of Minnesota, Bachelor of Arts
Ignoring a civil demand letter may be tempting.
Don’t.
Thankfully, you just took your first step
toward resolution.
Ignoring a civil demand letter from an attorney is a mistake. Certainly, civil demand letters are a standard part of doing business in today’s economy. To clarify, a civil demand letter from an attorney is basically a demand that you cease some behavior or business activity because it violates their rights or a claim for payment. In short, a demand letter seeking payment usually includes:
- How much you owe,
- why you owe it,
- and a deadline by which you need to comply to avoid a lawsuit.
On the other hand, a “cease and desist” demand letter will claim that you are engaging in some improper business practice. For example, it may allege misappropriation of trade secrets, tortious interference, or business disparagement. In other words, it demands that you change or stop your behavior.
Why are civil demand letters sent?
Common reasons include:
- past-due payments for loans, trade accounts, or purchase agreements
- unfair, deceptive or otherwise improper business practices
- employment or personal injury claims
- failure to make lease or mortgage payments
- pre-litigation notices required by an agreement or statute
Will ignoring a civil demand letter make it go away?
Ignoring civil demand letters may be tempting. But don’t. Here’s why:
- Firstly, you will very likely end up in a lawsuit and miss the opportunity for early resolution.
- Secondly, judges and juries do not appreciate those who ignore civil demand letters that assert a legitimate claim.
- Your non-response to the demand letter from an attorney may be considered evidence of intentional wrongdoing or willful violation of the other party’s rights.
- Moreover, penalty provisions and attorney’s fees may substantially increase the amount you owe.
- In addition, for a “cease and desist” letter, failure to change your conduct may result in a restraining order against you.
But here’s the good news…
You probably want to avoid the uncertainty and expense of litigation. Likewise, your creditors typically do, too. As an experienced business attorney, I can find the vulnerabilities in their claim against you, using that to negotiate from a position of strength, not weakness.
…and the better news.
Don’t accept the demand letter claims at face value without consulting an attorney. For instance, there may be hidden issues that invalidate the claim against you. For example, I have frequently achieved success for my clients who have received civil demand letters by exploiting contract terms, thoroughly researching and using relevant law, and leveraging strong negotiating tactics. After settlement, I ensure that the final agreements appropriately protect my clients’ interests and do not contain traps for the unwary.
Contact me now.
In conclusion, don’t underestimate the need for prompt professional legal advice. I can help to ensure that your response to the demand letter protects your rights and interests. Call me today at 612-741-4732, and I’ll connect with you as soon as possible.
“Mr. Meyer is a miracle worker.”
We had almost given up hope on being able to get out of the immensely difficult situation one of our hostile creditors put us in recently. However, when we met Mathew, his knowledge, experience, and wisdom allowed us to understand how we could protect ourselves and our business from being sabotaged by this creditor.
Excerpt from AVVO testimonial.
See AVVO profile for full testimonials.
“Mr. Meyer ... literally saved our company.”
Mr. Meyer used his stringent negotiation skills that literally saved our company from shutting down. We now have a chance to survive and stay operational as he not only got us out of the huge mess the creditor created but also got us a major discount (almost 60%) on our dues which is incredible.
Excerpt from AVVO testimonial.
See AVVO profile for full testimonials.
Contact me today.
Call 612-741-4732, or fill out the form below, and I’ll connect with you as soon as possible.
Mathew Meyer
Education
| Cornell Law School, Juris Doctorate, concentration in Business Law and Regulation
| University of Minnesota, Bachelor of Arts
20+ Years of Experience
Civil litigation, mediation, negotiation, appeals, and more
Affordable Representation
Large-firm experience without the large price tag
Clear Communications
Correspondence and legal briefs you can actually understand