Unpaid client recovery
At 30 days overdue, stop sending casual check-ins and send one short written follow-up that restates the amount, names the original due date, and asks for either payment today or one exact payment date. Keep it factual. The goal at this stage is a clear written record, not pressure.
Paste something like this into Varko and it produces the plan below. Every word of that output is generated on your device from the facts in the paragraph.
Client Northgate Media owes $2,400 for a website build I delivered. The invoice is 30 days overdue. The due date was agreed in writing and I sent the final files. They have stopped replying.
Varko reads$2,400 · Northgate Media · 30 days overdue · website build
Enough time has passed and you have a written anchor to be more direct while staying factual.
Hi Northgate Media, I'm checking in on payment for website build. The amount still open is $2,400, and it is 30 days past due. This follows the payment date we agreed to in writing. Please send payment today or reply with the exact payment date so I can close this out on my side. I would like to resolve this cleanly and close the payment record.
Click or tap the template to select all of it.
Limited. Your position is limited, so the safest move is a clean record and a short deadline.
Send the plain reminder today and avoid threats. The goal is to create a clear written trail before deciding what to do next.
Ask for payment or one exact payment date.
Move from reminder to firm deadline.
Send the final written follow-up and stop the open-ended thread.
Hi Northgate Media, I have not seen payment or a clear payment date for website build. Amount due: $2,400 Status: 30 days past due Please send payment or confirm the payment date within 24 hours. Since the work has already been delivered, I want the next step confirmed in writing.
Hi Northgate Media, This is my final written follow-up on the unpaid balance for website build. Amount due: $2,400 Status: 30 days past due Please send payment or reply with a clear payment date within 48 hours. If I do not hear back, I will stop treating this as an active project thread and organize the record before deciding the next practical step. This note is meant to keep the facts clear and give us one more chance to resolve it directly.
Only if a late fee was agreed in writing before the work started. Introducing one now usually invites a dispute about the whole invoice instead of getting the balance paid. If it was agreed, state it as a fact, not a threat.
Three business days is enough for a first follow-up after a written ask. If there is still no payment and no specific date, move to a final written follow-up around seven days after that, then stop chasing casually and organise the record.
It is late enough to be firm in writing, but escalation works better once you have a clear paper trail showing the amount, the agreed date, and at least one unanswered written request for payment.
Varko is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. It helps you write clear, factual messages and keep an organised record. For large amounts or a genuine legal dispute, get advice from a qualified professional in your jurisdiction.