Free SB 988 Contract Generator
for California Freelancers ($250+ Projects)
California law mandates a written contract for any freelance project worth $250 or more. Generate a fully SB 988-compliant agreement in 60 seconds — free, no account required.
Hiring, not freelancing?
Before you lock in a 1099 agreement, confirm this worker shouldn't legally be a W-2 employee.
Already sent a contract and still haven't been paid?
Generate a formal SB 988 demand letter — cites the 30-day rule & double damages — and send it today.
Three steps to a legally binding contract
Enter your project details
Fill in your name, your client's name, the scope of work, and the agreed project value (must be $250 or more for SB 988 to apply).
Set your payment terms
Choose a payment deadline. SB 988 defaults to 30 calendar days from invoice — but you can specify an earlier date in the contract.
Generate and download
Our AI produces a complete, clause-by-clause agreement. Copy it, download it, and send it to your client before starting work.
What every SB 988 contract must include
California's Freelance Worker Protection Act (SB 988) sets minimum legal requirements for written agreements between freelancers and clients. Missing even one required element can void your statutory protections. Our generator automatically includes all of the following:
Itemized services
A precise description of work scope, preventing scope creep disputes.
Compensation amount
The agreed total, specified in writing — oral agreements do not satisfy SB 988.
30-day payment deadline
The statutory default. Clients who miss this trigger double-damage liability automatically.
Double damages clause
If payment is late, you are entitled to recover the full unpaid amount as statutory damages — on top of the original invoice.
Anti-retaliation notice
SB 988 prohibits clients from retaliating against freelancers who enforce their rights.
$1,000 refusal penalty
Clients who refuse to provide a written contract face a separate $1,000 statutory penalty.
SB 988 (the Freelance Worker Protection Act) became effective January 1, 2025 in California. It requires that any hiring party — a business, individual, or non-profit — provide a written contract to a freelancer before work begins, for any engagement worth $250 or more (either individually or cumulatively within a 120-day period with the same freelancer).
The law applies regardless of where the freelancer is physically located. If your client is based in California, SB 988 governs your engagement. This matters especially for remote freelancers — a graphic designer in New York working for a Los Angeles agency is protected under SB 988.
The statute's most powerful provision is the double-damages clause: a client who misses the written payment deadline owes the freelancer statutory damages equal to the unpaid amount. In practical terms, a $5,000 invoice that goes unpaid becomes a $10,000 claim before attorney fees. The law also prohibits retaliation against freelancers who exercise their rights, and imposes a separate $1,000 penalty on clients who refuse to provide a written contract.
Enforcement is handled by the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE). Freelancers can file complaints directly, pursue claims in Small Claims Court (up to $12,500), or bring a civil action with attorney fee recovery. The statute of limitations is four years for written contracts.
SB 988 guides by profession and situation
Contract language, late payment rights, and dispute tools — tailored to your industry.
Common questions about SB 988 contracts
What should I do if a long-time client ghosted me and won't pay the final invoice in California?+
Even with a long-term client, you have legal rights under the California SB 988 (Freelance Worker Protection Act). If the project value is $250 or more over 12 months, the law requires payment within 30 days of completing the work. If they ghost you, you can take them to small claims court or file a complaint with the Labor Commissioner. To prevent this, never rely on past trust—always use our Free SB 988 Contract Generator to legally lock in your payment terms before the next milestone.
Is an email or verbal agreement legally binding for freelance work in California?+
While an email agreement can technically form a basic contract, California's SB 988 mandates that any freelance work worth $250 or more MUST have a written contract signed by both parties. If your client refuses to sign a formal contract and relies only on email, they are violating California law. Protect yourself instantly by pasting your email terms into our SB 988 Compliant Contract Builder to generate a legal, print-ready PDF agreement in under 2 minutes.
What is the legal standard for "Net 30" payment terms for California freelancers?+
In the freelance industry, clients often abuse "Net 30" to drag out payments. However, under California's Freelance Worker Protection Act, if no specific date is defined, payment is strictly due no later than 30 days after the completion of services. If a client triggers a late payment beyond this limit, they risk severe statutory penalties. Use our SB 988 Late Fee Calculator to see exactly how much double damages they might owe you for missing the deadline.
Should I include a late fee clause in my freelance contract, and is it enforceable in California?+
Yes, absolutely. Including a late fee is not just a professional boundary—it's backed by California law. Under SB 988, if a client fails to pay on time, a freelancer can sue for double damages, plus attorneys' fees and costs. Having a strict late fee clause in your written agreement acts as an ironclad deterrent. Our free tool automatically injects enforceable California-compliant late payment clauses into every contract you create.
How do I legally protect my work with a "Kill Fee" if a California client cancels the project mid-way?+
A "Kill Fee" (or cancellation fee) protects your booked time from being wasted. Under California's SB 988, your written contract must clearly itemize all services provided and how the rate is calculated. If a client cancels, they are legally obligated to pay for all work completed up to that date based on the contract terms. Our Contract AI Tool includes a specialized, customisable cancellation clause that ensures you get paid for your sweat and time, even if the client pulls the plug early.
Ready to protect your next project?
Scroll back up to generate your SB 988 contract now — or explore the late payment penalty calculator to see exactly what you're owed if a client pays late.