Guide to collecting outstanding invoices from clients

As a business owner, you trust your clients to pay you for services rendered or products delivered; the last thing you want is a stack of outstanding invoices. Are you a business owner that is having trouble getting your clients to pay outstanding invoices? There are several steps you can take in order to receive payment for outstanding invoices. 

What is an Outstanding Invoice? 

An invoice is a document from a business to a client requesting payment for services rendered. Invoices dictate the terms of payment, including the date payment is due and how payment should be made. Outstanding invoices are invoices that have been sent to the client but have yet to be paid. 

The Difference Between Outstanding Invoices and Past Due Invoices 

Often times outstanding invoices and past due invoices are used interchangeably. As discussed above, an outstanding invoice is a payment that a client or customer has not paid yet. While a past due invoice is a payment that a customer or client has not paid and is past the date listed on the invoice. With all that being said, an outstanding invoice can become a past due invoice once the date to pay has passed. 

As a business owner, you want to make sure you are using the correct terms for client payments. This will make it easier to track when an outstanding invoice becomes past due and will help you ensure that clients pay on time. In this article, we will be using the term outstanding invoices and past due invoices interchangeable to describe invoices that have not been paid and are owed to a business owner.  

Steps to Take Before Suing Your Client for Outstanding Invoices in Small Claims Court 

Step 1. Save all evidence 

You want to make sure to save all evidence related to the work you did for the client and any communication you had with client over unpaid invoices. 

Here are some more examples of potential evidence: 

• The agreement or contract between you and your client for the work you did if it was in writing.

• Any text messages, emails, or phone call logs between you and your client.

• Any proof you have of how much your client owes you, when they were supposed to pay you, and any partial payments your clients have made.‍

Step 2. Communicate with your clients via email or phone 

Before suing your client in small claims court, try communicating with them via email or by phone and discuss any outstanding invoices or past due invoices. You may also want to mail the unpaid invoice again.

In your email, remind them that you depend on payment from clients to keep your business afloat. However, refrain from using anger as a way to get paid. A better strategy is to get your client to empathize with you over the problem. 

Here are some examples of what you can say to clients with outstanding invoices:

• "I completed the mural installation you requested three months ago, but I have not received payment from you. Were you thinking of paying the outstanding invoices soon? I am an independent artist with a small business and cannot continue to run my store without payments."

• "I completed the deck in your house over a week ago but still haven't been paid. I was wondering when you would be able to pay me as I had to take out a loan to be able to pay my subcontractor on time."

• "I completed the landscaping job on your backyard a few months ago and I was wondering when you were able to pay me. I am a small business owner and I really depend on my clients paying me. Without payments, I will have to close my business."

Sample email reminder for past due invoices 

Below is a sample past due invoice email you can use as a template when reaching out to your clients. Make sure to add in all relevant information when actually sending your email. For example, in the subject line include the invoice number so your client knows which invoice is past due or outstanding.  Overall you want to ensure your email is friendly, polite, and clearly explains why you are sending an email reminder.

Step 3. Send a demand letter

A demand letter is a letter that outlines a set of requests. For example, you could write a demand letter to your client requesting that they pay their outstanding invoices.

Consider sending a demand letter to help you resolve any outstanding invoices but also if you are considering filing a lawsuit in small claims court. Depending on the state you are filing a small claims lawsuit in you may be required to demand payment before filing. Sending a demand letter is an effective way of completing this requirement. Also, while you can make a demand orally, it is suggested you do so in writing. Sending a demand letter in writing ensures that your client understands how serious you are about getting your outstanding invoices paid. 

Want to learn more about demand letters? We have written a whole article about how to write a demand letter for payment. Learn more here. 

Step 4. Offer a payment plan

In the demand letter, add an option for payment plans if you think this will help your client make their outstanding payments. Most of the time, it is easier for people to pay in smaller installments rather than one larger lump sum.

For example, if your client owes you $1,500 for painting their entire house. This may be hard for your client to pay all at once but maybe they are able to pay $100 a week until the total $1,500 is paid. 

It is also a good idea to ask them how much money they feel comfortable paying and when. If they say, “I can pay you $50 every 1st of the month”, then it was their idea how much they could pay you and when. It is easier to get "buy-in" from someone when it is their idea.

Step 5. Consider sending your client to collections

If you have tried communicating with your client, sending a demand for payment letter, and instituting a payment plan but your client still has unpaid invoices consider sending them to collections. 

• What is a collections agency? A collections agency is a business that will call and send mail to a client that hasn't paid you back.

• How much do collections agencies cost? Some collections agencies charge a set fee or a percentage if they are able to recover your unpaid invoices.

• How long do I have to send a client to collections? If you believe your client is unlikely to make an outstanding payment you can send them to collections right away. 

• What to keep in mind when sending a client to a collections agency. (1) You will get less than what you are owed because collections agencies charge you either a percentage of what they are able to collect or a set fee up front. (2) Generally, there is a deadline to collect unpaid invoices from a client; this deadline is called the statute of limitations and varies by state. 

Step 6. Consider consulting with a lawyer

Some business owners find it helpful to consult with a lawyer about their rights when seeking payment from clients who do not pay. Always consider the cost of hiring a lawyer as it can add up quickly, however, in particularly complex situations it might be a worthwhile option. 

Suing Your Client in Small Claims Court

Have you tried everything possible to get your client to pay past due invoices and you still have not been paid back? You may want to consider suing them in small claims court. Below are some general points about how to sue a client for unpaid invoices in small claims court. 

How much can I sue a client for in small claims?

This is also known as the "small claims court limits." This limit varies from state to state, and can even vary from one court to another. Check the small claims court limit in your local small claims court on their website. For example, in California small claims if your business is a corporation or LLC, you can sue for $5,000 (if you are a sole proprietor meaning you didn’t incorporate your business, you can sue for $10,000).

What happens if I am owed more than what I can sue for? 

You can still sue for the maximum amount allowed but you usually agree to waive any additional amount over the limit.‍ For example, you are a carpenter and own a business that refurbishes and fixes people’s old furniture. One of your clients owes you $11,000 in outstanding invoices. In New York City small claims, the limit is $10,000, therefore you can sue in New York City small claims court for $10,000 and waive the remaining $1,000.

Why would I sue in small claims if I am owed more than the small claims limit? 

Small claims court is generally quicker, and more affordable than filing your lawsuit in other types of courts, plus you generally don't need a lawyer to do so!

How much does it cost to sue a client in small claims for an unpaid invoice?

The amount you pay in fees to file a small claims lawsuit varies by state and sometimes even by court, for an accurate cost check your local court's website. You can expect to pay between $15-$75 to file a small claims case in most courts.

Everyone deserves their day in court, so do not let filing or serving costs prevent you from resolving your disputes. Find out if your local small claims court has fee waivers and if you qualify for this waiver. 

How long do I have to sue my client in small claims court for an unpaid invoice?

There are deadlines for when you can sue a client. This deadline is called the statute of limitations and it varies in each state. 

Unpaid invoices would generally fall under the statute of limitations for breach of contract. When you look up the statute of limitations for your lawsuit against a client for outstanding invoices check what the breach of contract statute of limitations is in your state. In many states, there will be a difference between a contract that was in writing and a verbal contract. 
Learn more about New York statute of limitations and California statute of limitations. 

The small claims court hearing

Once you file your case, the court will set your hearing date and inform you and your client. During this time, you are still able to settle with your client. If your client repays you before the hearing date (or even on the hearing date), you can close the lawsuit.

To prepare for your small claims court hearing:  

• Prepare your evidence. You want to have your evidence organized with titles, dates, and why that piece of evidence is important. All your evidence should be geared towards showing the judge how much you are owed.  Also, include any evidence of when your client was supposed to pay, and any money your client has already paid (if any). Make sure to include any contracts or invoices for the work you did for your client.

• Prepare what to say. During the hearing, the judge will ask you why you are suing. For example, if you own a small architectural firm and you are suing one of your clients for unpaid invoices you will want to prepare a presentation that explains what services you provided your client, how much your services cost, and what you billed your client, and how much your client has paid or not paid. 

• Print enough copies of all your evidence. You will need at least three copies; one for you, one for the judge, and one for your client.

Still curious about how the small claims court process works? Learn more on how to take someone to small claims court.