Help with Certified Letter

[Blissful Kids]

Hi everyone,

Some of you remember the baby I termed last month due to several problems with inconsistent routine, constant crying, and changing of schedules. (Since he's been gone I've felt so much less stressed out and feel overall more pleasant. It's been great.) I have given his parents probably more than enough time to contact me and make their last payment and they haven't done so. I admit I've been a little bit lax about it, but it's time to step up and time to send a certified letter.

Has anyone done this before and have a good sample I could go off of? I know someone posted a link on my last post. I'm just looking for something related to daycare. Any help is much appreciated. I plan to mention in the letter that if they don't pay I will be sending them to small claims court. I never thought I'd have to do this, but unfortunately it happens. =(

Thanks everyone and happy Monday!

[MyAngels]

Maybe something like this:

Dear Non-Paying Parent,

As of the termination of our Child Care Contract your balance due is $550, which includes late fees in the amount of $200 due to continued non-payment.

You have 7 days from the date of this letter to make payment in full, either by cash or certified funds. No personal checks will be accepted. On February 19, 2013 I will file the attached complaint in Small Claims court for the balance due plus court costs and fees, which may include attorneys fees if necessary.

It would be in your best interest to settle this matter before I have to resort to court action. Once I've filed in small claims court I will receive a judgment against you, which I will enforce by all means at my disposal, including wage and bank account garnishment, and filing a lien with the Recorder's Office.

I look forward to receiving payment in full by February 18, 2013.

Sincerely,

Your Provider

[MarinaVanessa]

I like the letter by MyAngels. Here's another version:

Dear DCP,

Your child's, [CHILD'S NAME], last day of child care was [DATE]. I have not yet received your final payment of $XX.xx, which was due on [DATE]. As per our contract agreement there is a fee of $XX.xx per day for every day that your child care payment is late. As of the date of this notice your payment is XX days late, adding an additional $XX.xx to your account. This brings your current balance to $XX.xx due to continued non-payment.

You have until [DATE] no later than [TIME] to make your payment in full. If your final payment is made in full by the specified deadline all late payment fees will be waived and you will only be charged the original amount of the final payment in the amount of $XX.xx.

If your payment is not received by the specified deadline I will be filing complaint in Small Claims court for the balance due, late payment fees, court costs and filing fees and any attorneys fees if necessary. Your account will then also be sent to collections and will also be reported to Provider Watch (providerwatch.com) which is a national debt reporting agency catered to child care providers.

Your immediate attention and action is required in this matter. I look forward to receiving payment in full by [DATE]. All further communication regarding this or other matters will be required in writing either by certified postal mail or through email.

Sincerely,

Daycare Provider
[ADDRESS]
[EMAIL]

[Unregistered]

Unfortunately, I read through my contract and I don't have anything in there about a late payment fee. I know I should have put something in there, but like I said I didn't think this would be a problem. Thanks for the advice, I will use some of what you guys included in the letter.

[Blissful Kids]

Unfortunately, I read through my contract and I don't have anything in there about a late payment fee. I know I should have put something in there, but like I said I didn't think this would be a problem. Is is to late to tell them I have a late fee? Thanks for the advice, I will use some of what you guys included in the letter.

[MarinaVanessa]

Unfortunately, I read through my contract and I don't have anything in there about a late payment fee. I know I should have put something in there, but like I said I didn't think this would be a problem. Is is to late to tell them I have a late fee? Thanks for the advice, I will use some of what you guys included in the letter.

It is definitely too late to include a late fee then. But send a request for payment without it. Just leave out the part of the late payment fees.