Glossary
What should I do when an invoice is overdue?
An overdue invoice is one that has passed its payment due date without being settled — and the right response depends on how many days have elapsed and what contact has already been attempted.
The first three to seven days past due are the highest-probability recovery window. A simple reminder — email or a brief call — resolves most cases at this stage. The customer usually knows the invoice is there; they either missed the due date or have a quick internal process issue to clear. A short, non-confrontational message with a payment link is enough.
After 30 days without payment or response, the approach changes. Now you need a direct conversation to find out whether there is a genuine dispute, a cashflow problem the customer needs a payment plan to resolve, or simply a relationship that has gone cold. Each requires a different next step. A fourth reminder email at day 45 is almost never the answer.
After 90 days with no resolution, the realistic options narrow to a formal demand letter, referral to an attorney, or acceptance that the balance will be written off. Waiting beyond that rarely improves the outcome and sometimes forfeits legal options in states with shorter statutes of limitations.
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