What this checks
Creator payment disputes rarely turn on the number of days. They turn on a missing written agreement, or a term with no start date. This check looks for both, and tells you which statutory rules are likely in play.
The laws it applies
| Law | In force | Applies from | If no payment date is stated |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York — Freelance Isn’t Free Act (statewide) | 20 May 2024 | $800 | 30 days after completion |
| California — Freelance Worker Protection Act (SB 988) | 1 Jan 2025 | $250 | 30 days after completion |
| Illinois — Freelance Worker Protection Act | 1 Jul 2024 | $500 | 30 days after completion |
All three require the agreement in writing. New York counts a single contract or the total with the same party over the preceding 120 days; Illinois measures $500 of value within a 120-day period; California requires the hiring party to keep a signed copy for at least four years. Los Angeles, Seattle and Minneapolis have their own ordinances not modelled here.
What good terms look like
- In writing, before work starts. In three states this is the law; everywhere else it is what makes everything below enforceable.
- A deposit. 50% on signature is the working convention.
- A named trigger. "Net 30 from invoice date, invoiced on delivery" — not "Net 30 from publication".
- A late fee. 1.5% per month, mostly so finance has a reason to prioritise you.
- A kill fee. What you keep if the campaign is cancelled after you have started.
Background: what Net 30 actually means and where the clock starts.
Questions creators ask
Does a brand have to give me a written contract?
In several US jurisdictions, yes. New York requires one at $800 (single contract or aggregated over the preceding 120 days), California at $250, and Illinois at $500 of value within a 120-day period. Elsewhere it is not always mandatory, but without it the rest of your terms are hard to enforce.
What if my contract does not say when I get paid?
Under the New York, California and Illinois freelance statutes the default is payment within 30 days of completing the work. That default only helps if the agreement is in writing and the statute applies to your situation.
Is Net 60 legal?
Generally yes — these laws require payment by the date the contract states, so a clearly agreed Net 60 is usually enforceable as written. The statutory 30-day rule is the fallback when no date is named, not a cap.
What can I do about a late payment?
Start with a written reminder citing the contract term and your invoice date. The freelance statutes in New York, California and Illinois provide remedies for non-payment, including in some cases damages and attorneys' fees. Which applies depends on the jurisdiction, so take specific advice.
Does this tool store my answers?
No. Everything runs in your browser, nothing is sent to a server, and there is no signup.