how to request a cease and desist to an attorney

by Katheryn Lueilwitz Jr. 7 min read

Step 1: Speak with an experienced cease and desist lawyer. You should carefully review the letter and attempt to understand the author’s reasons for sending it before you consult an experienced C&D lawyer in Texas. Step 2: Gather information.

Explain whether your rights have, indeed, been violated, and what options you have for taking legal action. Tell you whether a cease-and-desist letter is the most effective and appropriate course of action. Write and send the letter on your behalf, making sure everything is properly documented.

Full Answer

Do I need an attorney for a cease and desist letter?

By using our service, all you have to do is: 1. Search for Defamation Demand Letters on on DoNotPay. 2. Tell us about your situation, including whether the statements were libel or slander, listing the statements that were made, explaining why they are false or misleading, and what consequences you have suffered as a result. 3.

What is a harassment cease and desist letter?

Cease and desist injunctions are usually granted by a court of law. Essentially what precedes the cease-and-desist order is a cease and desist letter. The cease and desist letters serve as a request to an individual, party, or organization to stop an infringing action. The preliminary cease and desist letter is ideally seconded by the order when the recipient fails to abide by the letter.

What is the meaning of cease and desist?

Jun 23, 2020 · The first step that you can take to address these issues is to send a cease and desist letter. This letter puts the person in violation on notice that they are engaging in illegal use of a property. It advises them to stop, or further action will occur. Other names for a cease and desist letter include: Cease and desist notice Cease and desist form

How do I get a cease and desist order?

Pay a flat rate of $349 for an attorney to draft your demand letter using his/her law firm letterhead and send it via certified mail with return service requested. For more information visit our online demand letter service page. Send a demand letter Do you need an attorney to send a …

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Can you write your own cease and desist letter?

How to Serve a Cease-and-Desist Letter. No specified method of delivery is required for a cease-and-desist letter. Because it is not a legal document, you can write and send the letter yourself without the help of a legal professional, or you can hire an attorney to write and serve the letter for you.

How do I issue a cease and desist?

The elements of a cease and desist letter are rather simple:Include your name and address.Include the recipient's name and address.Demand the recipient to stop the harassment.Send it via certified mail, return receipt requested.

Who can legally send a cease and desist letter?

Anyone can send a cease and desist letter. An attorney does not have to be involved. However, an attorney can advise complainants on whether their rights have been violated and if they have legal and meritorious rights to send a cease and desist letter. The attorney also knows the correct language to use.

How effective is a cease and desist letter?

While a cease and desist letter doesn't have a legal effect in and of itself, it's often a good way to begin the process of stopping someone from engaging in an activity that is harming you in some way. Such documents are easy to write and, unless you hire an attorney to write them, usually quite cost-effective.

How much does it cost to send a cease and desist letter?

$750 to $5,000The final bill will also vary widely depending on where you live and the firm you hire. The cost of a cease and desist letter depends on many factors, but a single cease and desist letter can easily cost anywhere from $750 to $5,000. The services of a lawyer can indeed be very pricey.Sep 21, 2020

Can a cease and desist letter be considered harassment?

A cease and desist harassment letter is a written document that demands the recipient stop a certain behavior immediately. This behavior is constituted as harassment in some way.

What if someone ignores a cease and desist?

Failing to comply with a cease and desist order means that the violator could pay civil fines or damages. In some cases, particularly those involving harassment, continuing harassing activities could result in jail time.

Is a cease and desist letter legally binding?

Even though a cease-and-desist letter is a non-binding letter and does not have a legal effect, it is primarily sent to the wrongdoer so that it may later be used as evidence in litigation against the wrongdoer if the alleged misconduct is not stopped.

What is a cease and desist letter slander?

A cease and desist letter to the offender to stop making defamatory statements, libel or slander against you or face legal action from you. It addresses the malicious, unsubstantiated and untrue defamatory statements made about the sender that has damaged their reputation.

What defines harassment?

Harassment is when someone behaves in a way which makes you feel distressed, humiliated or threatened. It could be someone you know, like a neighbour or people from you local area or it could be a stranger - for example, someone on the bus. Examples of harassment include: unwanted phone calls, letters, emails or visits.

Canada Cease and Desist Ordinances

The Canadian ordinances have clear-cut guidelines on the filing and enforcing of cease and desist orders. Generally, there are four common goal types of cease and desist letters and court orders in Canada: Debt collection, Trademark, General, and Copyright Infringement.

UK Laws

In the UK, cease and desist orders aren’t unusual. Like Canada, the United Kingdom regards the cease and desist order as a consequential approach for non-compliance to the cease and desist letter. However, most individuals seek the court’s injunction to warn the opposing party of pending legal action.

USA Cease and Desist Orders

The United States of America legislation regards cease and desist templates as a legal measure to stop a subject, business, or organization from harassing or infringing on an individual. The American jurisdiction accommodates two types of cease and desist documents; drafted letters and court-issued orders.

Australia Laws

The Australian federal code is adept when it comes to the protection of its citizens. The Australian ordinances regard the cease and desist documents as a precaution to stop any activity lest a legal proceeding follows. Essentially, cease and desist letters are the first attempt at settling disputes between two parties outside a court of law.

What happens if you send a cease and desist letter?

Issuing a cease and desist notice under the wrong circumstances can cause legal troubles for the sender. If there are threats involved in the letter, it can amount to extortion, blackmail or other crimes. In addition, if the violation turns out to be false, the party receiving the letter can sue for a judgement.

What should a cease and desist letter include?

There are a few items every cease and desist letter should include. First, explain your rights. Second, detail how your rights are being violated. Finally, you must include a command to stop the actions you are being harmed by.

What is a cease and desist notice?

Use a cease and desist notice if you want to issue a formal warning to someone to stop doing what they're doing. This includes using your property, harassing you, or illegally using your trademarks. Usually, but not always, a cease and desist is the first formal step following an informal notification.

What is the difference between a cease and desist order and a cease and desist letter?

A cease and desist order is different from a cease and desist letter. The main difference is in terms of legality. Letters have almost no legal standing. Orders do. A cease and desist order is granted by a court. It serves as a temporary injunction.

What is the first step to take to address these issues?

Engaging in illegal or suspicious activity that involves someone's work. The first step that you can take to address these issues is to send a cease and desist letter.

What is the purpose of cease and desist?

However, it fulfills an important function in the legal process. It establishes that you have told the offender about their violation. They now cannot claim they didn't know they were in violation.

Why do we need a cease and desist?

It also often stops the offending behavior without the need to take it any further.

What is a cease and desist letter?

Cease and desist letters are a written warning sent to the party causing harm that notifies that if they do not stop the mentioned actions, further action and potential legal ramifications will be taken. These letters are not a legally binding order against another party.

Why is it important to send a cease and desist letter?

It is useful to send a cease and desist letter, in these circumstances, to request the opposing party to stop falsified written and oral statements. It is important to include why the statements are false and a correction to the statements in the letter.

What happens if you give a debt collector a cease and desist letter?

By providing the debt collector with a cease and desist letter, the harassing phone calls and abrupt visits to your home can be halted. Once a debt collector receives your letter, they can, legally, only contact you once more. This final contact can only be to explain that they are ceasing communication.

Can you send a cease and desist letter to another party?

Legally, any person can send a cease and desist letter to another party. This is partly due to the letter not being a legal order to stop the actions. Although, if you are foreseeing a lawsuit in the future, it is good practice to meet with an attorney for guidance.

Can a cease and desist letter be taken lightly?

Personal attacks should not be taken lightly. In certain circumstances, sending the offender a cease and desist letter can provoke them further. However, in a majority of situations, when receiving a cease and desist letter, the offender will understand that you are serious and mean business.

Can a cease and desist letter be used as a first measure of action?

In some instances, a cease and desist letter may not be an appropriate first measure of action.

What Is a Cease and Desist Letter?

By definition, a cease and desist letter is an official document that is formally drafted. This letter contacts an organization or individual in order to request an end to a specific infringing action, as well as future restraint of the same.

What Is a Cease and Desist Letter Used for?

Here are four vital examples when cease and desist letters are most frequent, along with their specific types of features:

Key Takeaways

What is a cease and desist order? It’s a legal judgment that sets an injunction on an offender’s actions.

How to Write a Cease and Desist Letter

After checking what options you have, and you conclude that a cease and desist note will be effective to stop the unfavorable activity, you have to compose a letter. When this decision is made, it is highly suggested to have those things in mind when you write it.

Sending a Cease and Desist Letter

There are many ways you can send a cease and desist; popular methods are in person, through the mail, by email, or through an attorney. Regardless of how you choose to send your letter, you should keep a record of delivery.

Conclusion

It’s important to understand the difference between a cease and desist letter and order, especially regarding legal validity. The first one is not enforceable and mirrors the point of view of an individual; the letter is a great tool to warn an offender of the legal consequences that can take place if they don’t stop.

What is a cease and desist letter?

A cease and desist letter is a written notice requesting an individual or business engaging in unlawful, unwanted, or harmful conduct to stop and refrain from such behavior now and in the future. This letter is typically used to ask someone to immediately end their... read more.

What does "without a cease and desist letter" mean?

Without a cease and desist letter, the individual or business has not been put on notice to stop any behavior. Without having the individual or business on notice, the unlawful behavior will likely continue which could cause harm to you or your company depending on... read more.

Can you comply with a cease and desist letter?

People tend to avoid litigation at all costs and typically comply when they receive a cease and desist letter. However, sometimes they fail to comply. When someone fails to comply with a cease and desist letter, there are a few options still available to have your... read more. Contact Us.

Can an opposing party disregard your correspondence?

The opposing party will completely disregard your correspondence if you send it. They are aware that there is little, if anything, you can do to cease or desist their infringing behavior. However, the value of a lawyer writing this correspondence offers you the leverage and the teeth that other websites cannot.

Can a thoughtfully tailored letter open the path to resolution?

In many instances, a thoughtfully tailored letter can open the path to resolution. Competitors offer you form letters for download and distribution. However, these obvious nonspecific correspondence do not carry the same value and inherent power that a narrowly tailored correspondence sent from a lawyer offers you.

What Is a Cease and Desist Letter?

A cease and desist letter is a formal request that you send a debt collector to stop contacting you about a debt. This contact includes collection calls and demand letters.If you make this request over the phone, it won’t be official or binding.

FDCPA Protections for Borrowers

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that was passed to address abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices. It’s enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and provides consumers with specific rights against debt collectors.

When Should You Use This Template To Communicate with Collection Agencies?

A cease and desist letter can help you with a debt collector in several ways. First, even if you owe the debt, you may not wish to deal with the debt collector directly. As mentioned, this may leave the debt collector with no other recourse but to sue you in court.

How To Use a Cease and Desist Letter

When you write a cease and desist letter include only the information (account numbers, account balances, etc.) that the debt collector has already provided in its communications. Don’t use the debt’s original account number unless the debt collector has included it in its correspondence with you.

Template 1: General Demand To Stop All Contact

Use the following template to request that a debt collector stop all communication. This is for all cases except if you’ve been incorrectly identified as the debtor or there’s a case of mistaken identity (called an incorrect contactee). In that case, use Template 2.

Template 2: Request To Stop Contact Due to an Incorrect or Mistaken Identity

Use this template for misidentification cases wherein the debt collector has sent the collection letter to you, an incorrect contactee, rather than the proper party.

After You Send a Cease and Desist Letter

After sending a cease and desist letter, it’s important to monitor this debt on your credit report. Nothing more should happen if the statute of limitations for the debt has passed since the creditor can’t sue in court. But if the statute of limitations has not run, the debt collector may sue you.

What is a cease and desist letter?

As we have discussed in harassment cases, a cease and desist letter is used to formally demand the harasser stops their behavior. However, if after sending the letter the offender continues his or her behavior, additional remedies remain at your disposal.

When is a cease and desist letter appropriate?

Other Times When a Cease and Desist Letter Is Appropriate. Cases of traditional bullying and stalking are not the only times in which a cease and desist is appropriate. In fact, cease and desist letters can be used to stop debt collection, defamation, and intellectual property violations. Let’s discuss those obnoxious and frequent communications ...

Why do people use a cease and desist letter?

This can be attributed to a variety of reasons, including the myriad of ways in which one can intimidate, offend, antagonize, or otherwise annoy another without even being in the same state.

How much can you collect if you violate the FDCPA?

Therefore, no matter how many times the debt collector has violated the FDCPA, you still may only collect up to $1,000 (in addition to any other damages mentioned above). However, there is a downside to sending a cease and desist letter to a creditor.

How much can a consumer recover from a creditor under the FDCPA?

Separate and in addition to these damages, the FDCPA allows the consumer to recover damages “up to $1,000 ” from the creditor—these types of damages are referred to as “statutory damages.”. The court can award statutory damages if the consumer provides substantial evidence that the debt collector violated the FDCPA.

What does "stop and desist" mean?

By sending a cease and desist to the offending party you are claiming the validity of your intellectual property, and requesting immediate secession of their use of it. Upon receipt, an accused infringer may recognize its infringement, or reply with an opposing opinion as to why they are not liable for any wrongdoing.

What is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) controls such actions, and was enacted with two main purposes in mind. First , it provides guidelines for ways in which a company, or individual, may attempt to collect certain debts. More specifically, the FDCPA specifically bans "abusive and deceptive conduct.”.

Why do we use a cease and desist letter?

Further, Cease and Desist letters are often used in later court cases to show that the Defendant was put on notice about their offending behavior, so the more detailed the letter, the better.

What happens if the recipient of a letter fails to comply with these demands?

If the recipient of the letter fails to comply with these demands, the sender should be prepared to take further legal action to stop the behavior that is harming or interfering with the sender's rights and abilities to conduct business.

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