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Unpaid Wages & Sample Demand Letter
by: Southeast Louisiana Legal Services
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Q.	I've lost my job. When should I get my last paycheck?

A.	Whether you were fired, laid off, or resigned, your employer must pay you all amounts due, either by the next regular payday, or no later than 15 days after your last day at work, whichever is first. You are due all wages, earned vacation pay, and any other amounts your employer has agreed to pay you or you are entitled to by your employer's policies. You can find this law in Louisiana Revised Statutes, Title 23, at 23:631. These laws are in most libraries.

Q.	My boss agrees he owes me most of the money I want, but he says he doesn't owe me part of it. Does he have to pay me what he agrees he owes me?

A.	Yes. Any part that he agrees you are owed, must be paid when due.

Q.	Can my employer take money out of my last paycheck?

A.	Your employer should make the usual deductions - for example, for taxes. Some employers take out more money from a last paycheck, saying money is owed for breaking or taking something, or for another reason. This may or may not be legal. You should speak with a lawyer if you do not agree with it.

Q.	My employer has not paid me on time. What can I do about it?

A.	You can ask your employer for your money in writing. You may want to talk with a lawyer first. Keep a copy of your letter. If you have to go to court to get your money, you may need to show the letter to the judge. If your employer will not pay, try to get a lawyer to ask for the money for you. If you have to go to court to get your money, and win, the judge should make your employer pay your lawyer's fees. The judge should also make your employer pay you extra money as a penalty. You can usually sue your employer in the Justice of Peace, City or State District Court where you live. If you can't find a lawyer, you can often do it on your own. Many courts have forms that are easy to use. Here is a sample letter, but it may not be right for your case. You can use the form printed here or you can click here to use the computer to help you fill in the information for your letter. To use the form you must have a first and last name for your ex-employer. If you get a "popup blocker" message or have other trouble with the link, you may need to hold down the Control or "CTRL" key while clicking on the link. Click here for tips about using the website with the online documents. Tell us what you think! Click here for a survey about online forms. SAMPLE DEMAND LETTER FOR UNPAID WAGES Your name Your Street Address Your City, State, and ZIP Code Your Employer’s Name Your Employer’s Street Address City, State, ZIP Code [The Date] Dear [EMPLOYER'S NAME]: My job ended on [put here the day of your firing, lay-off or resignation]. More than 15 days have passed since then and you still owe me money for my work. You owe me at least [put here the amount you believe you are owed]. I ask for immediate payment of the amount due. If you do not pay this in full, you may become liable for payment of all costs and attorney's fees if I have to hire a lawyer and file a lawsuit to get what you owe me. You may also be liable for payment of additional money as a penalty, as well as legal interest. If you believe you do not owe me the full amount I have stated, but only a part of it, the law requires you to pay me immediately the amount you agree you owe me. You should also tell me the reason why you are not paying the full amount. Please send the amount due me to my current address: [put your address here] Sincerely, ________________________ [Your signature and printed name]


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	Last Reviewed On: 12/01/11

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Information, Not Legal Advice.

Esto es solamente información, no es consejo legal.

This web site has been prepared for general information purposes only. The information on this web site is not legal advice. Legal advice depends on the specific facts of each situation. Some information in this web site may not be correct for where you are. The information in this web site is not guaranteed to be up-to-date. The information in this web site cannot replace the advice of competent legal counsel licensed in your state.

Este sitio del Internet fue preparado para dar solamente información. La información en este sitio no es consejo legal. Consejo legal depende de los datos específicos y las circunstancias de cada situación. Es posible que alguna información en este sitio no comporte con el área o la jurisdicción donde usted vive. Es posible que la información en este sitio no esté corriente. La información en este sitio no puede sustituir el consejo de un abogado competente y licenciado en su estado.

Lawyer Advertising. In some jurisdictions this web site may be considered lawyer advertising. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.

Propaganda de Abogados. En algunas jurisdicciones, este sitio puede ser considerado propaganda de abogados. Contratar con un abogado es una decisión importante que no debe depender solamente sobre anuncios.

Any listing of an attorney does not constitute a recommendation of the attorney. Before hiring any attorney, you should investigate the attorney's reputation and qualifications.

Información sobre un abogado no es una recomendación del abogado. Antes de contratar con un abogado, usted debe investigar la reputación y las capacidades del abogado.

Links. This web site contains links to other resources on the Internet. Those links are provided as citations and aids to help you identify and locate other Internet resources that may be of interest, and are not intended to state or imply that we sponsor or are affiliated or associated with the persons or entities who created such site, nor are the links intended to state or imply that we are legally authorized to use any trade name, registered trademark, logo, legal or official seal, or copyrighted symbol that may be reflected in the links.

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Fechas topes son muy importantes en la mayoría del los asuntos legales. Usted puede perder derechos importantes si usted no contrata con un abogado inmediatamente quien le pueda dar consejo legal. Muchas personas no miran el correo electrónico cada día, y algunos abogados no responden a correo electrónico que no es solicitado de las personas que no son clientes.

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Unpaid Wages

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