Two months have gone by with no payment from a client. I’ve sent reminders and even called, but the excuses just keep coming.
It’s frustrating, and I’m wondering what my next move should be to finally get paid.
Had a similar issue last year with a client who owed me a big amount. After I sent reminders for two months, I shot off one last email saying I’d send it to collections in 10 days if I didn’t get paid.
Surprisingly, I got the payment in three days.
If that fails, consider small claims court if the amount is within your state’s limit. Usually, it’s between $5,000 to $10,000 depending on where you live. Filing costs about $50 and no lawyer is needed.
After that experience, I started asking for half the payment upfront. It’s worked for me since then.
Set a clear deadline for payment. Send a single email stating they have 7 days to pay or you will file a lien on their property. This often urges clients to act quickly when they see it could affect their property.
If they still don’t respond, go ahead and file the lien through your county clerk’s office. It usually costs around $25 and impacts their credit report, making it hard for them to sell or refinance until they settle up with you.
I’ve used this method three times and it has always worked.
Send one final email with a specific date when you’ll hand it over to a collection agency, then actually follow through if they don’t pay.
Don’t waste more time calling or explaining why you need the money. Most collection agencies take cases on contingency, so it won’t cost you upfront.
After this mess is done, start requiring payment terms that work better for you.
Two months is long enough. Stop chasing and move on to collections or small claims.
Try sending a final notice then move on.