Freelance or Gig Work Payment
If you completed freelance work, contract work, or gig work and the client refuses to pay — or pays significantly less than agreed — small claims court is a practical way to collect what you're owed.
Typical claim amount
$500 – $10,000
Statute of limitations category
Written contract (varies by state)
See your state's small claims rules
Pick your state above to see its claim limit, deadlines, and rules — or browse all state guides.
How much to ask for
Claim the agreed price for the work you completed and delivered, minus any partial payments you've received. If your contract or invoice included late fees or interest for overdue payment, you can usually add those. For work the client accepted but didn't fully pay for, the agreed amount is your anchor. Keep the figure tied to your agreement and invoices, not to time you feel you 'deserve.'
How to pursue this claim, step by step
- 1
Pull together the agreement, proposal, or messages that set the scope and price.
- 2
Gather proof you did and delivered the work — files, screenshots, photos, and any client approval.
- 3
Total what's owed: the agreed price minus partial payments, plus any contractual late fees or interest.
- 4
Send a written demand with your invoice, proof of delivery, and any approval messages, and a clear payment deadline.
- 5
Confirm you're within your state's deadline to sue (which can differ for written versus verbal deals), then file naming the client correctly.
- 6
At the hearing, walk the judge through the trail: the deal, the work, the delivery, and the nonpayment.
Common examples
Client ghosted after you delivered the work
Client keeps requesting changes to avoid final payment
Partial payment received but balance is overdue
Client disputes the quality to avoid paying
Verbal agreement on price but client now claims a different amount
Platform payment was reversed or disputed fraudulently
Evidence you should gather
The stronger your evidence, the better your chances. Start collecting these items before you file:
Contract, proposal, or written agreement
Emails or messages confirming the scope and price
Proof of work delivered (files, screenshots, photos)
Invoices sent
Payment history (partial payments received)
Client's approval or acceptance of work (if documented)
Communication about the dispute
Ready to take action?
A demand letter often resolves disputes before court. Our free guide shows you how to write one in minutes.
Read the demand letter guideDemand letter tip
Include your invoice, proof of delivery, and any written approval of the work. If you have emails where the client said 'looks great' or approved a milestone, include those. State the total owed and a 14-day payment deadline.
Read the demand letter guide →Court preparation tip
Show the judge a clear trail: (1) agreement on scope and price, (2) proof you did the work, (3) proof you delivered it, (4) proof the client didn't pay. Emails and messages confirming each step make a very strong case.
What trips people up
Working without a written scope or price, making the agreement harder to prove.
No proof the work was actually delivered or accepted.
Forgetting to subtract partial payments from the amount claimed.
Suing an individual when the client is a business entity, or vice versa.
Missing your state's deadline, which can be shorter for verbal agreements.
Filing deadlines by state
Your statute of limitations depends on your state. Here are some examples for this type of case:
| State | Deadline | Max claim |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 6 years | $6,000 |
| Alaska | 3 years | $10,000 |
| Arizona | 6 years | $5,000 |
| Arkansas | 5 years | $5,000 |
| California | 4 years | $12,500 |
| Colorado | 3 years | $7,500 |
| Connecticut | 6 years | $5,000 |
| Delaware | 3 years | $25,000 |
| District of Columbia | 3 years | $10,000 |
| Florida | 5 years | $8,000 |
| Georgia | 6 years | $15,000 |
| Hawaii | 6 years | $5,000 |
| Idaho | 5 years | $5,000 |
| Illinois | 10 years | $10,000 |
| Indiana | 10 years | $10,000 |
| Iowa | 10 years | $6,500 |
| Kansas | 5 years | $10,000 |
| Kentucky | 15 years | $2,500 |
| Louisiana | 10 years | $5,000 |
| Maine | 6 years | $10,000 |
| Maryland | 3 years | $5,000 |
| Massachusetts | 6 years | $7,000 |
| Michigan | 6 years | $7,000 |
| Minnesota | 6 years | $20,000 |
| Mississippi | 3 years | $3,500 |
| Missouri | 10 years | $5,000 |
| Montana | 8 years | $7,000 |
| Nebraska | 5 years | $7,500 |
| Nevada | 6 years | $10,000 |
| New Hampshire | 3 years | $10,000 |
| New Jersey | 6 years | $5,000 |
| New Mexico | 6 years | $10,000 |
| New York | 6 years | $10,000 |
| North Carolina | 3 years | $10,000 |
| North Dakota | 6 years | $15,000 |
| Ohio | 8 years | $6,000 |
| Oklahoma | 5 years | $10,000 |
| Oregon | 6 years | $10,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 4 years | $12,000 |
| Rhode Island | 10 years | $5,000 |
| South Carolina | 3 years | $7,500 |
| South Dakota | 6 years | $12,000 |
| Tennessee | 6 years | $25,000 |
| Texas | 4 years | $20,000 |
| Utah | 6 years | $20,000 |
| Vermont | 6 years | $10,000 |
| Virginia | 5 years | $5,000 |
| Washington | 6 years | $10,000 |
| West Virginia | 10 years | $20,000 |
| Wisconsin | 6 years | $10,000 |
| Wyoming | 10 years | $6,000 |
Frequently asked questions
I only had a verbal agreement with the client — can I still sue?
Often yes. Verbal agreements can be enforceable, though they're harder to prove. Emails, messages, your invoice, and proof you delivered the work can establish the deal and the amount.
The client says the work was bad to avoid paying. What now?
Bring evidence the work met the agreed scope, including any approval or acceptance messages. The client generally has to back up a quality dispute, not just assert it.
Can I add late fees or interest?
Usually yes, if your contract or invoice provided for them. Some states also allow statutory interest on overdue amounts; check your state's rule.
Do I sue the person or their company?
Whoever the agreement was with. If you contracted with a business, name the business entity correctly; if with an individual, name the person. Confirm before filing.
What's my strongest evidence?
A clear trail: the agreed scope and price, proof you did the work, proof you delivered it, and proof you weren't paid. Emails and messages confirming each step are powerful.
Other case types
Security Deposit Not Returned
Your landlord won't return your security deposit
Unpaid Invoice or Loan
Someone owes you money and won't pay
Car Accident Damage
Someone damaged your car and won't pay for repairs
Contractor or Repair Disputes
A contractor did poor work or didn't finish the job
Defective Product or Service
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Breach of Contract
Someone broke a written or verbal agreement
Unpaid Rent (Landlord vs Tenant)
Your tenant owes rent and won't pay
Property Damage by Neighbor
Your neighbor damaged your property
Auto Repair Disputes
Mechanic overcharged, did bad work, or caused damage
Moving Company Damage
Movers broke or lost your belongings
Wedding Vendor Disputes
Wedding photographer, DJ, venue, or vendor didn't deliver
Bad Check or Bounced Payment
Someone paid you with a check that bounced
Pet-Related Disputes
Dog bite, vet malpractice, or pet purchase gone wrong
Roommate Disputes
Roommate owes rent, utilities, or damaged shared property
Online Purchase or Marketplace Disputes
Item never delivered, counterfeit, or not as described
Dry Cleaner or Laundry Damage
Dry cleaner ruined or lost your clothing
Travel and Airline Disputes
Airline, hotel, or travel company ruined your trip
Insurance Claim Disputes
Insurance company denied or underpaid your claim
Gym or Membership Cancellation
Gym or club keeps charging after cancellation
Towing and Vehicle Impound Disputes
Your car was illegally towed or you were overcharged
Home Appliance or Electronics Warranty
Manufacturer or retailer won't honor a warranty
Utility Billing Disputes
Overcharged by a utility company or service provider
Dental or Medical Billing Disputes
Overcharged for medical or dental services
Tenant Suing Landlord for Repairs
Landlord won't fix habitability issues in your rental
Last updated 2026-06-28.
General information to help you understand the process — not legal advice. Rules and dollar limits vary by state and change over time, so always confirm the current requirements with your court. See our Editorial Standards.
Ready to take action?
A demand letter is often the first step. Many freelance or gig work payment disputes are resolved without ever going to court.
Read the demand letter guide