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Dispute (dispute.care)
$39–$99 flat
Send a formal legal demand letter via USPS Certified Mail with tracking
Not a substitute for attorney advice · No court appearance includedScope, costs & limitations
Service: Certified Demand Letter
Generates a professional legal demand letter citing state statutes, prints it, and mails it via USPS Certified Mail with signature tracking. Also formats county small claims court complaints.
May be useful for
Recovering an unpaid security deposit from a landlord
Demanding payment from a contractor or non-paying client
Creating evidence of pre-lawsuit notice required by small claims courts
Not included
Attorney representation in court
Court filing fees
Directory-listed price: $39–$99 flat · Billing: one-time. Confirm the current price, eligibility and scope directly.
Certified mail tracking proof is admissible in small claims court as evidence that the opposing party received your demand.
When another kind of help may be needed
claim-exceeds-state-small-claims-cap
Directory check recorded: 2026-09-13. This is not a live quote or an endorsement.
Unlimited phone consultations on new personal legal matters, document review up to 15 pages per document, and attorney-written demand letters or phone calls to third parties.
May be useful for
Sending a formal attorney demand letter to a stubborn landlord or contractor
Reviewing a lease, severance agreement, or loan contract before signing
Having an actual law firm to call when legal questions arise
Not included
Pre-existing lawsuits filed before joining
Courtroom representation in the base plan (offered at 25% discount off hourly rates)
Business or commercial litigation
Directory-listed price: $39.95 / month · Billing: month. Confirm the current price, eligibility and scope directly.
Cancel anytime before your next monthly renewal date. Demand letters require the assigned attorney's professional judgment.
When another kind of help may be needed
lawsuit-already-filed-against-you
contested-trial-next-week
Directory check recorded: 2026-09-13. This is not a live quote or an endorsement.
Recover unpaid wages, overtime violations, illegal off-the-clock work, and 1099 independent contractor misclassification under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and state labor codes.
Option 0: How to Recover Wages for $0 Through State Labor Boards
You do NOT need a private lawyer to recover stolen wages. The U.S. Department of Labor (WHD) and state labor boards provide free administrative enforcement with zero filing fees.
Calculate Liquidated Damages (2x Penalty)
Under federal law (FLSA 29 U.S.C. § 216(b)), employers who fail to pay proper overtime or minimum wage are liable for 100% of the unpaid wages PLUS an equal amount in liquidated damages (double what they owe you).
Submit a wage claim form to your state Department of Labor. A state deputy labor commissioner will schedule a settlement conference and hearing on your behalf.
If the employer failed to keep accurate time records, the U.S. Supreme Court (Mt. Clemens Pottery rule) holds that the employee's credible estimation of hours must be accepted by the court.
State labor boards and the U.S. Wage and Hour Division represent workers for free in wage theft cases. Never give 40% of your owed wages to an online settlement mill.
Final Paycheck Timing Laws by State
California: If fired, final paycheck is due IMMEDIATELY at the time of termination. If quitting with 72 hours notice, due on last day. Penalty for delay: full daily wage for up to 30 days (Labor Code § 203).
Texas: If fired, must be paid within 6 calendar days. If quitting, due by next scheduled payday (Texas Labor Code § 61.014).
New York: Final wages due no later than the regular payday for the pay period during which termination occurred (Labor Law § 191).
Federal FLSA Statute of Limitations: 2 years for standard wage violations; 3 years if the employer's violation was 'willful'.
Can my employer make me a salaried employee to avoid paying overtime?
No. Paying someone a 'salary' does NOT automatically make them exempt from overtime. To be exempt under federal law, the worker must meet BOTH: (1) the minimum salary threshold, AND (2) specific job duty tests (executive, administrative, or professional duties involving genuine discretion and management). If your duties are routine, you are owed 1.5x overtime regardless of salary.
What is independent contractor (1099) misclassification?
Employers frequently label workers as 1099 contractors to avoid payroll taxes, workers' comp, and overtime. If the company controls when, where, and how you work, provides your equipment, and directs your daily tasks, you are an employee under the law and entitled to full employee protections and back pay.
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