Client not paying your invoice? Here's exactly what to do

An unpaid invoice is stressful, but most places give you several real, low-cost routes to recover your money. The key is to escalate calmly and keep documentation at every step.

Restate the invoice number, amount, what was delivered, and the original due date. Attach the contract if you have one. Most genuine delays resolve here.

Reference the signed/acknowledged contract and the delivery timeline. When a client knows you have a timestamped agreement, the conversation changes from 'please pay' to 'you agreed to pay'.

A formal demand letter, ideally reviewed by a local lawyer, attaching your contract, the acknowledgement record, and proof of delivery, is often enough on its own. It signals you're serious and have the documentation to back it up.

Many countries have low-cost channels specifically for unpaid invoices — small-claims courts, ombudsman schemes, or business-payment-practices regulators. Check what's available where your client is based; eligibility and process vary a lot by jurisdiction.

• Mediation, for a lower-cost, faster resolution.
• Arbitration, if your contract specifies it.
• Small-claims or civil court, depending on the amount and local process.

Every route above is decided on documentation. Pakkawork's one-click evidence pack compiles the contract, the OTP acknowledgement, milestone status, and the full communication timeline into a single legal-ready PDF — ready to attach to a demand letter, a complaint, or a filing.