Toronto lawyer for unpaid invoices, unpaid loans, and business debt recovery. Demand letters, negotiation, and Small Claims Court litigation — to get the money you are owed.
· Reviewed by Jonathan Kleiman, J.D.
Jonathan Kleiman is an unpaid invoice lawyer in Toronto who helps businesses and individuals recover money owed to them. Whether you are chasing an unpaid invoice, an unpaid personal loan, a contractor who never finished the job, or a client who disappeared after receiving your services — Jonathan gets results through demand letters, negotiation, and Small Claims Court litigation.
Most people wait too long to act on unpaid debts. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to collect. Ontario's limitation period is two years — after that, you lose the right to sue entirely.
Every engagement begins with a free 30-minute consultation. Jonathan assesses your situation, evaluates the strength of your claim, and recommends the most cost-effective path to getting your money back.
An unpaid invoice is one of the most common reasons Toronto businesses and freelancers contact a lawyer. You delivered the goods or completed the work — and the other party refuses to pay, delays indefinitely, or disputes the amount owed.
Contractors, consultants, designers, developers, accountants, and other service providers who completed work and never received payment.
Suppliers, wholesalers, and manufacturers who delivered products and the buyer refuses to pay or disputes the invoice.
The client paid part of the invoice and refuses to pay the balance — often citing deficiencies, scope disputes, or buyer's remorse.
Freelancers and independent contractors who completed the project and the client refuses to pay — a problem that affects thousands of Toronto workers every year.
Personal loans between friends, family members, and business associates are extremely common — and extremely difficult to collect when the borrower stops paying. An unpaid loans lawyer in Toronto pursues recovery through the courts when informal efforts have failed.
Have a contract dispute or a business disagreement that goes beyond unpaid money? Jonathan handles business law matters across the GTA. Being sued for an unpaid invoice? Read about defending a Small Claims Court claim.
Ontario's Small Claims Court handles claims up to $50,000. It is designed to be faster, less formal, and more affordable than the Superior Court — making it the right venue for most unpaid invoice and loan disputes.
Jonathan sends a formal demand letter to the debtor. A lawyer's demand letter resolves many disputes without a court filing — the debtor realizes you are serious.
If the demand letter is ignored, Jonathan files a Plaintiff's Claim in the Small Claims Court and serves the defendant with the court documents.
The court schedules a mandatory settlement conference where a judge reviews the case and encourages settlement. Many claims resolve at this stage.
If the matter does not settle, Jonathan presents your case at trial. After judgment, he pursues enforcement — garnishment, seizure, or examination of the debtor.
Most unpaid invoice and unpaid loan matters in Small Claims Court are handled on a flat-fee basis. You'll know the cost before the work begins.
The strength of your claim depends on the evidence you can present. The more documentation you have, the stronger your position — but even claims based on verbal agreements can succeed with the right supporting evidence.
A demand letter from a Toronto lawyer is often the fastest and most cost-effective way to recover unpaid money. It puts the debtor on notice that you intend to pursue legal action — and gives them a final opportunity to pay before a court claim is filed.
Jonathan's demand letters are direct, professional, and effective. They set out the amount owed, the legal basis for the claim, and a deadline for payment. Many debtors pay after receiving a demand letter because the cost of defending a lawsuit far exceeds the amount in dispute. For more on what makes demand letters effective, read our guide on writing a demand letter in Ontario.
Free 30-minute consultation. No fee, no obligation.
Toronto business owners often face the same problem: clients who received products or services and refuse to pay. A business debt recovery lawyer pursues these claims aggressively — because unpaid receivables directly affect your cash flow, your operations, and your ability to pay your own obligations.
Jonathan represents Toronto businesses of all sizes in debt recovery matters — from sole proprietors chasing a single unpaid invoice to companies with multiple outstanding receivables.
If your business is owed money, the time to act is now. Learn more about business transaction services or contract lawyer services that complement debt recovery work.
Contractors, freelancers, and independent professionals are disproportionately affected by non-payment. You completed the work in good faith, delivered on time, and the client refuses to pay — or invents reasons to withhold payment after the fact.
Jonathan represents contractors and freelancers in Toronto who are owed money for:
If you are a freelancer or contractor who is owed money, you have the same legal rights as any business. Jonathan pursues your claim through the courts with the same urgency he brings to every matter.
Ontario's Limitations Act, 2002 imposes a two-year limitation period on most debt recovery claims. The clock starts when you discover (or ought to have discovered) that the debt will not be paid voluntarily.
After two years, you lose the right to sue — regardless of how strong your claim is. But even within the limitation period, delay creates problems:
The longer you wait to pursue an unpaid debt, the harder it becomes to collect. A demand letter today is worth more than a judgment next year.
Jonathan earned his B.A. (with distinction) at McGill University and his J.D. at Queen's University. He has been a member of the Law Society of Ontario since 2011.
When someone owes you money, you need a lawyer who will pursue the matter aggressively — not one who sends a letter and waits. Jonathan follows through at every stage until the debt is resolved.
If someone owes you money and refuses to pay — whether it is an unpaid invoice, an unpaid loan, or a broken promise — the time to act is now. Every day you wait makes recovery harder.
Call 416-554-1639 or book a free consultation.
The questions Toronto businesses and individuals ask most often about recovering unpaid invoices, unpaid loans, and money owed through Small Claims Court.
Yes. If someone owes you money for goods or services and the amount is $50,000 or less, you can sue in Ontario Small Claims Court.
Jonathan files the claim, serves the defendant, and represents you through the entire process — from the settlement conference to trial if necessary.
Yes. Verbal agreements are legally enforceable in Ontario if there was a clear agreement to lend and repay money.
You will need evidence to prove the loan existed — such as text messages, emails, bank transfers, or witness testimony. Jonathan assesses the strength of your evidence and advises on the best path to recovery.
Most unpaid invoice and loan recovery matters are handled on a flat-fee or capped-fee basis. Jonathan quotes the fee before work begins so there are no surprises.
For straightforward matters, the cost of legal representation is a fraction of the amount being recovered.
The Ontario Small Claims Court handles claims up to $50,000. Claims above that threshold must be filed in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
Jonathan handles debt recovery in both courts.
Strong evidence includes the original contract or invoice, emails and text messages confirming the debt, bank transfer records, a signed promissory note, and any written acknowledgment of the debt.
Even without a written agreement, circumstantial evidence such as correspondence and transaction records can support your claim.
Under Ontario's Limitations Act, the general limitation period is two years from the date you discovered (or should have discovered) that the debt was not going to be paid.
After two years, you lose the right to sue. Jonathan advises clients to act quickly — the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to collect.
If the court orders payment and the debtor refuses to comply, Jonathan can pursue enforcement remedies including garnishment of wages or bank accounts, a writ of seizure and sale against personal property, and examination of the debtor under oath to identify assets.
A judgment is only as good as your ability to enforce it — Jonathan pursues enforcement aggressively.
Unpaid invoices, unpaid loans, broken promises — Jonathan Kleiman pursues every dollar through demand letters, negotiation, and Small Claims Court. Free 30-minute consultation.