Practical Prompts: How to Use ChatGPT to Write Real Legal Letters

Now that you know how to use ChatGPT to write a legal letter, let’s talk about the actual prompts that work best.

You don’t need to be a lawyer or an AI whisperer. You just need a clear structure and five minutes of focus.

1. Before You Start

When you open ChatGPT:

✅ Use the GPT-4 model (available in the $20/month plan).

✅ If possible, use a Custom GPT you’ve set up for your case — it remembers your correspondence, tone, and key facts.

✅ Always paste or attach your previous correspondence (so it can keep context).

2. Core Prompt Template

Here’s the base message you’ll use each time:

Prompt:

“Please reply to the attached letter.

My position is [briefly describe your position].

What I want to achieve is [state your outcome].

Please note [include any significant facts or background that the AI needs to know].”

Then attach:

• 📄 The letter you’re replying to

• 🧾 Your last letter (so ChatGPT keeps tone and formatting consistent)

3. Example 1 – Spousal Maintenance Reply

Prompt:

“Please reply to the attached letter.

My position is that I have already made full financial disclosure and I do not have capacity to pay interim spousal maintenance.

What I want to achieve is to communicate that I’m willing to mediate and resolve matters efficiently, but that the proposed $800/week claim is unrealistic.

Please note: the other party has not provided their Form 13 Financial Statement, and my income and debt data were disclosed on 18 April 2025.”

💬 Once ChatGPT drafts the response, you can say:

“That’s great, but please include a reference to the need for reciprocal disclosure under Rule 6.06.”

Then copy it to Word, refine tone, and paste back into ChatGPT:

“SWOT analysis please.”

→ Adjust, then

“Best five things and worst five things please.”

→ Follow up with

“Please draft suggested improvements to three paragraphs.”

4. Example 2 – Disclosure or Evidence Request

Prompt:

“Please draft a letter requesting the other side’s outstanding disclosure.

My position is that I’ve provided all material on my end but still haven’t received their super statements or valuation data.

What I want to achieve is to set a clear seven-day deadline and flag that non-compliance will be noted under Rule 12.15.

Please note: their last correspondence was on 23 May 2025 and no documents have been produced since.”

💬 After the draft appears, respond conversationally:

“That’s good, but don’t forget that disclosure was first requested on 10 April — please mention that for context.”

5. Example 3 – Freedom of Information or Human Rights Complaint

Prompt:

“Please draft a formal letter to the ACT Human Rights Commission following up on my complaint of 27 October 2025.

My position is that I haven’t received a response within the 30-day statutory timeframe.

What I want to achieve is to prompt compliance or at least obtain a written update on progress.

Please note: the original complaint concerns administrative listing practices in the ACT Magistrates Court under the Family Violence Act 2016 (ACT).”

💬 After reading the draft, ask ChatGPT to check balance:

“Please make the tone firm but respectful and emphasise procedural fairness rather than criticism.”

6. Coaching Tip: Use Chat Like You’d Coach a Teenager

Always keep the feedback human and conversational.

“That’s good, but can you tighten the last paragraph?”

“Add that my aim is to resolve this without court proceedings.”

“Include a reminder that I’ve offered mediation twice.”

You’ll be surprised how much this improves results — ChatGPT thrives on clear, calm coaching.

7. Why This Process Works

Each step gives you:

• Precision: You know exactly what you want and what to emphasise.

• Speed: You can turn letters around within 30–60 minutes.

• Polish: Every draft improves with feedback and Word edits.

• Confidence: You reply fast and factually — no waiting, no fluster.

8. Example Workflow Summary

Step	Action	Command
1	Paste or attach letters	“Please reply…”
2	Review draft	Add corrections conversationally
3	Paste into Word	Format, edit tone
4	Paste into new chat	“SWOT analysis please”
5	Paste again	“Best five and worst five things please”
6	Follow up	“Please draft suggested improvements to three paragraphs”

Within an hour, you’ll have a professional, tight, and confident legal letter — written by you, refined by AI.