Do I have to write a 'letter of intent' before suing?

Question

I am trying to begin the process to sue my ex-landlord for allowing someone else move into my mobile home 3 days after I went to jail. I was only in for 7 days and when I got out they stole ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING. I need to know if I have to personally write the landlady a 'letter of intent' before I file at the courts. and does there have to be proof of service? Any advice with all this would be appreciated. This is in Arizona.

Answer 1

I don't know, but I'd do it anyway. If you tell they you might sue, they might want to settle and that will cost you less.

Answer 2

Last time I checked it was required for small claims court.

Answer 3

its not required, but i would defintiely suggest doin it!!

that way, she cant go into court and say that you didnt make an attempt to settle the case out of court......

cause, ya know, a lot of ppl do that... they play stupid like they had no clue of a problem before the papers were served to them.

Answer 4

There is no such legal requirement. Perhaps someone is advising you that it will look better when you do sue if you have first asked nicely to be compensated for your losses -- which might well be good advice.

Answer 5

In some states, in some situations, you send a "demand letter", requesting payment before you sue.

But generally, this applies to contracts or money owed on an account.

I don't think it would be required here, but it's a good idea to do it anyway, just in case you can settle the thing without suing.

If you do send them a letter, usually you would just say so in your formal complaint when you write one up for court.  A complaint states all the facts of the dispute and includes efforts you made to resolve it, like sending a letter.