Getting paid
Collecting unpaid invoices in New Jersey
When money is tight, customers pay slower. Most unpaid invoices get paid with a steady, polite sequence of reminders. The few that don't can go to court without a lawyer for claims up to $20,000.
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The sequence that gets most invoices paid
About 7 days late: a friendly reminder
Resend the invoice and how to pay. Many late payments are just forgotten.
About 30 days: a firm reminder
Ask for payment by a specific date, or a call to agree on one.
Offer a payment plan
A signed plan for the balance often beats a court case. Put it in writing.
About 60 days: a final notice
Say plainly that you'll file a claim if it isn't paid by a date at least 10 days out. Only say what you'll actually do.
File in court
For amounts up to $20,000, small businesses can file without a lawyer.
Which court, and what it costs
| Court | Amount | Filing fee |
|---|---|---|
| Small Claims Section | $5,000 or less | $35 for one defendant, plus $5 for each extra; $7 per defendant for mail service |
| Special Civil Part | Up to $20,000 | $50 up to $5,000, $75 above; $5 each extra defendant; $7 per defendant for mail service |
From the NJ Courts' Small Claims and Special Civil Part guides (dated July 2022). Confirm current fees with the clerk.
File in the county where a defendant lives or does business. A claim on a contract generally has to be filed within 6 years of when it arose (N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1); sales of goods can have a shorter limit.
Consumer customers are different
Federal debt collection rules mostly cover third-party collectors, not a business collecting its own invoices, and business-to-business debts are outside them. Some state laws do reach original creditors, so for consumer customers keep letters factual and talk to an attorney before anything beyond reminders. (CFPB)
Where we come in
We file your claim at the Special Civil Part window and serve the papers with an affidavit of service. Our bookkeeping keeps receivables current so fewer invoices get this far. We don't give legal advice. Court filing · Process serving · Collecting late payments
Printable kit
Unpaid Invoice Collection Kit
A collections tracker, friendly, firm and final letters, a payment plan template, the NJ court filing checklist and a call log.
General information, checked November 2026. Not legal advice. MCC Solutions is not a law firm.
Questions
How much does it cost to sue for an unpaid invoice in NJ?
In Small Claims ($5,000 or less), $35 for one defendant plus $7 for mail service. In the Special Civil Part (up to $20,000), $50 or $75 depending on the amount, plus service. Confirm current fees with the clerk.
Do I need a lawyer to file?
Not in Small Claims or the Special Civil Part. A business can file its own claim there, though an attorney helps with contested cases and collecting a judgment.
How long do I have to sue for an unpaid invoice?
Generally 6 years from when a contract claim arose in New Jersey. Sales of goods can have a shorter limit, so ask an attorney if it's close.
Can I charge late fees?
Only if your contract or invoice terms allowed them. Check what the customer agreed to before adding any.
Tallyfinch
Books you keep on your own computer
Tallyfinch does invoices, bills, bank import, reconciliation and the main reports, in a file you own. $99 once, then $5 a month for updates; the app keeps working if you stop the plan. It does not do payroll or sales tax filing. The free download records up to 60 entries.
See Tallyfinch Download it free Compare the three apps