Statute of Limitations (SOL) on Debt by State
The statute of limitations (SOL) is the time limit for the creditor or debt buyer to file a lawsuit against the debtor. This period starts when the debtor makes the last payment or becomes delinquent. Even though the SOL has “run” (expired) on a debt will not prevent a lawsuit from being filed (via a Summons And Complaint), but the you can have the suit dismissed on this basis. It is imperative that you answer any lawsuit filed against you. If you need assistance in answering a debt buyer or creditor lawsuit then contact our law firm here.
The Statute Of Limitations only covers lawsuits, and SOL expiration does not affect other types of collection action or reporting of the account to credit bureaus. The creditor or collection agency may continue with letters and telephone calls forever until you write them a cease and desist letter. However, they will generally put much less effort into collecting “Out-Of-Statute” debts, and may give up easily. Out-Of-Statute debts can still be reported to credit bureaus for the time limits specified in the Fair Credit Reporting Act which is right now 7 years plus 6 months for many debts.
Judgments have a separate Statute Of Limitations, which you can find here.
|
State |
Oral Agreements (in yrs) |
Written |
Promissory Notes (in yrs) |
Credit Cards (in yrs) |
|
Alabama |
6 |
6 |
6 |
3 |
|
Alaska |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Arizona |
3 |
6 |
5 |
3 |
|
Arkansas |
3 |
5 |
6 |
3 |
|
California |
2 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Colorado |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Connecticut |
3 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Delaware |
3 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
|
D.C. |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Florida |
4 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
|
Georgia |
4 |
6 |
6 |
4 |
|
Hawaii |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Idaho |
4 |
5 |
10 |
4 |
|
Illinois |
5 |
10 |
6 |
5 |
|
Indiana |
6 |
10 |
10 |
6 |
|
Iowa |
5 |
10 |
5 |
5 |
|
Kansas |
3 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
|
Kentucky |
5 |
15 |
15 |
5 |
|
Louisiana |
10 |
10 |
10 |
3 |
|
Maine |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Maryland |
3 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
|
Massachusetts |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Michigan |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Minnesota |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Mississippi |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Missouri |
5 |
10 |
10 |
5 |
|
Montana |
5 |
8 |
8 |
5 |
|
Nebraska |
4 |
5 |
6 |
4 |
|
Nevada |
4 |
6 |
3 |
4 |
|
New Hampshire |
3 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
|
New Jersey |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
New Mexico |
4 |
6 |
6 |
4 |
|
New York |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
North Carolina |
3 |
3 |
5 |
3 |
|
North Dakota |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Ohio |
6 |
15 |
15 |
? |
|
Oklahoma |
3 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
|
Oregon |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Pennsylvania |
4 |
6 |
4 |
6 |
|
Rhode Island |
15 |
15 |
10 |
10 |
|
South Carolina |
10 |
10 |
3 |
3 |
|
South Dakota |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Tennessee |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Texas |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Utah |
4 |
6 |
6 |
4 |
|
Vermont |
6 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
|
Virginia |
3 |
5 |
6 |
3 |
|
Washington |
3 |
6 |
6 |
3 |
|
West Virginia |
5 |
10 |
6 |
5 |
|
Wisconsin |
6 |
6 |
10 |
6 |
|
Wyoming |
8 |
10 |
10 |
8 |
The information above is believed to be accurate
at the time of the creation of this page, and is for reference
only. Nothing here should be construed as or relied upon as legal advice. If you are concerned
about possible lawsuits, you may wish to confirm this with your
state’s Civil Code and/or a qualified Credit Repair Attorney. If you find any discrepancies or errors here, please let us know at: c@henleycreditlaw.com.
Tags: Credit Card Statute of Limitations, Statute of Limitations
