Step-by-step guide

How to chase an overdue invoice.

A good process reduces emotion: verify, remind, document, follow through, then decide whether formal help is worth it.

1. Verify the boring details first

Confirm the invoice went to the right person, the due date has passed, the work and price match the agreement, and no payment landed under a different reference. Attach the invoice again.

2. Send a friendly, specific reminder

Identify the invoice and amount, state the due date, and ask when payment is scheduled. Do not assume the client is withholding payment deliberately.

3. Ask for a date, not “an update”

A date creates a checkable commitment. If cash flow is the problem, decide whether you are willing to offer a written payment plan and what happens if an installment is missed.

4. Keep a simple contact log

Record when you sent each message, who replied, and every promised payment date. Save the agreement, scope changes, delivery acceptance, invoice, and reminders together.

5. Make the next message firmer, not louder

Restate that the balance remains outstanding. Ask for payment or a specific dispute. Avoid legal phrases copied from another jurisdiction and consequences your contract does not support.

6. Decide what is commercially sensible

A paused engagement, negotiated payment plan, collection service, small-claims process, or lawyer may be appropriate depending on the amount, evidence, relationship, contract, and local rules. Qualified advice matters when the stakes justify it.