ADHD Entrepreneur: What to Do When a Client Doesn't Pay

You've done the work. Delivered the service. Sent the invoice.

And now? Radio silence. Or worse, a string of "I'll pay you next week" messages that turn into next month, then disappear like they dropped off the face of the earth! I’m sharing this with you today, because I have been there and I know it sucks, but it doesn’t have to happen to you again!

If you’re also an entrepreneur with ADHD, this scenario probably triggers a special kind of hell. The anxiety. The people-pleasing voice that says "maybe they're just going through something." The RSD screaming "they hate your work and that's why they won't pay."

So WTF are you supposed to do??!! Let's talk about how to handle non-paying clients in a way that protects both your business AND your mental health.

Prevention Is Your Bestie

The absolute best way to deal with non-paying clients? Set up systems so it rarely happens in the first place. I know if you’re here, as soon as you read that you’re probably rolled your eyes at my with a “well no shit!” but stick with! Another thing about running a business with ADHD is that thing we know we should do, but we don’t and if that is that things for you, this is your sign to push through and make some changes to decrease the chances of this happening!

Get Payment Before You Deliver

I know this isn't the norm in every industry. I know it might feel awkward. But if it's possible in your business, get paid before you deliver the service or product.

Full payment upfront. A substantial deposit. Whatever makes sense for your work.

This protects you. And honestly? It filters out people who weren't going to pay anyway.

Automate Payment Collection

If your business model works with it, collect payment details upfront and charge the card yourself rather than waiting for clients to remember to pay you.

This isn't foolproof (cards decline, people dispute charges), but it removes the "I forgot" excuse and the mental load of chasing people down.

Put It In Writing

Your contract needs clear language about payment terms. When payment is due. What happens if it's late. What happens if it doesn't come at all.

This isn't about being aggressive. It's about setting clear expectations so nobody is surprised later.

And when the RSD kicks in and you want to waive the late fee or keep working with someone who hasn't paid? You can point to your contract and say "this is just my policy."

Hold a Card on File

For service providers who deal with no-shows or last-minute cancellations, having a card on file can save you so much stress.

Charge for missed appointments. Charge for late cancellations. Your time has value. Make this policy very clear when your clients are booking, and in any reminder emails.

When Prevention Doesn't Work: The Follow-Up Process

Okay, so you've set up all the systems and someone still hasn't paid. Now what?

Have a Follow-Up Plan

Here's what I recommend:

First follow-up: Friendly reminder. "Hey, just wanted to check in about the invoice I sent on [date]. If you don’t see if, have a look in your spam/junk folder because they don’t always make it into your inbox. Let me know if you have any questions!" I like the first one to be more of a ‘I know you wouldn’t not pay, so you must not have seen it’ vibe.

Second follow-up: I’d go with about a week after the first one. A bit more direct. "I noticed the invoice from [date] is still outstanding. Can you confirm when you'll be able to take care of this?"

Third follow-up: Timing of this one depends on when the late payment fees/consequences of your contract or term kick in. IClear consequences. "This invoice is now [X days] overdue. Per our contract, [late fee/next steps]. Please take care of the payment today or let me know how you'd like to proceed."

After three attempts with no response or payment? It's decision time.

The Different Scenarios (And How to Handle Each)

The "I'll Pay You Next Month" Loop

They keep promising. Next week. Next month. After this project wraps up.

Set a firm deadline. "I understand things are tight right now. I need payment by [specific date] or ….(consequence from contract or one that can impact them based on the services you provide)"

And then actually do the thing(s) if they don't pay. This is a boundary issue, not a money issue, and it’s important to stick to your boundaries because your time in valuable.

Complete Ghosting

They've disappeared. No response to emails, calls, messages.

After your three (or maybe four) follow-ups, you have to decide: is this amount worth pursuing further, or is it time to let it go? Sometimes letting go is the best path for your mental health, but this obviously depends on the amount. If you do let go, I find it helps to believe that karma will take care of it for you. 😊

Disputes About the Work

They're not paying because they claim the work wasn't what they expected or wasn't delivered properly.

This is where your contract and clear communication records matter. If you delivered what was agreed upon, stand firm.

If there's genuine confusion about scope or deliverables, consider whether a partial refund or revised agreement makes sense. But don't let people manipulate you into working for free!!

Small Amounts vs Large Amounts: When to Pursue

Here's the hard truth: not every unpaid invoice is worth pursuing beyond those initial follow-ups.

For Small Amounts

If someone owes you $200 and they're not responding after three attempts, you probably need to write it off.

The mental energy of continuing to chase them, the RSD spiral, the time spent drafting increasingly aggressive emails? That can have a big cost to you.

You could try one "fake escalation" where someone you trust contacts them pretending to be from collections or your business manager. Sometimes that pressure works. But if it doesn't? Let it go.

For Large Amounts

If someone owes you thousands of dollars, it might be worth exploring legal options.

But before you do, calculate the actual cost. Lawyer fees. Court filing fees. Your time. The mental health toll of a prolonged dispute.

Sometimes even large amounts aren't worth the fight. Only you can decide where that line is for your business.

The ADHD + RSD Factor

Why does dealing with unpaid invoices feel so damn hard with ADHD?

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria

When someone doesn't pay, your brain doesn't just think "they're having cash flow issues."

Your brain thinks: They hated your work. You're a fraud. You're not good enough to charge money for this. Everyone is going to find out you're a scam.

This is RSD. And it makes confronting non-paying clients feel like walking into a firing squad.

Conflict Avoidance

ADHD brains often struggle with confrontation. We'd rather eat the loss than send a firm follow-up email. Not to mention that admin tasks like invoicing and follow up are generally also things we avoid.

We tell ourselves stories: "Maybe they're going through something. I don't want to be pushy. What if they leave a bad review?"

But here's the thing: letting people not pay you isn't kindness. It's people-pleasing. And it can destroy your business in short order!

Decision Paralysis

Should you send another email? Call them? Get a lawyer? Write it off? The decision tree is overwhelming.

This is why having a clear follow-up plan in advance is so important. It removes the decision-making when you're already stressed.

What About Sliding Scale or Payment Plans?

Sometimes people genuinely can't afford your full price. And sometimes those are folks that you really want to work with. You might wonder if you should offer a discount or payment plan.

Here's what I want you to hear: it's YOUR business. You get to decide.

If you want to reserve a few spots for sliding scale clients, great. If you want to offer payment plans for people you trust, do it.

But you are not obligated to make your services affordable for everyone (read that again)! You're allowed to have prices that work for your business. You're allowed to say no!

And if you do offer payment plans? Get it in writing. Automate the payments. Protect yourself.

Action Steps to Protect Your Business

Here's what to do right now:

Review your payment systems - Can you collect payment upfront? Automate charges? Require deposits?

Update your contract - Add clear language about payment terms, late fees, and what happens with non-payment. It’s best to include the worst case scenario on your contract, like a high late payment fee or other consequences that seem steep, because if push comes to shove you can decide what makes the most sense if you face this again down the road.

Create a follow-up template - Write out your three follow-up emails now, so you're not composing them in a panic later.

Set your write-off threshold - Decide now: what amount is small enough to let go after three attempts?

Address current non-payment - If someone owes you money right now, send that follow-up today.

Your Work Has Value

The RSD will tell you that asking for payment makes you greedy. That following up makes you pushy. That enforcing your contract makes you mean.

That's all bullshit!!

You did the work. You delivered value. You deserve to be paid.

Setting boundaries around payment isn't about being aggressive. It's about respecting yourself and your business enough to say: my time matters. My expertise matters. My work has value.

And if that means some people don't work with you? Good. Those aren't your people anyway.

Need Help Setting Up These Systems?

If you're reading this thinking "I know I need better payment systems but I have no idea where to start," you're not alone.

This is often part of the support within my financial coaching programs with my self-employed clients. But we also do so much more! We set up systems that protect your cash flow, create boundaries that stick, and handle the ADHD + RSD piece of running a business, and of course set up systems for the business and personal finances that make your life easier!

Want to talk about it? Book a free consultation and let's figure out what better money systems would look like for YOUR business.

Not ready to talk yet? My free ADHD Money Starter Kit includes resources for tracking business income and expenses.

Remember: protecting your business doesn't make you difficult. It makes you sustainable.