Debt Collection –

Statute of Limitations

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    Statute of Limitations on Debt: How Long Can You Be Sued?

    Every debt has a legal clock called the Statute of Limitations (SOL) — the time limit a creditor or collector has to sue you for payment.
    Once the SOL expires, the debt is considered time-barred. You still owe it, but they can’t use the courts to collect.

    Why the SOL Matters

    • Protects you from lawsuits after a certain number of years.

    • Varies by state and debt type — credit cards, medical bills, and written contracts often have different timelines.

    • Restart risk — Making a payment or acknowledging the debt in writing can restart the SOL in many states.

    How the SOL Works

    • The clock usually starts on the date of your last payment or last activity.

    • If you are sued after the SOL expires, you can raise it as an affirmative defense — but you must respond to the lawsuit.

    • Some states require collectors to notify you if a debt is time-barred before they try to collect.

    Typical State-by-State SOL Periods

    (Years from date of last payment; actual limits may change — check current state law or speak with an attorney.)

    Statute of Limitations by State (Years)

    State Credit Card Debt (Open-Ended) Medical Debt (Written Contract) Written Contract Promissory Note
    Alabama 3 6 6 6
    Alaska 3 6 6 3
    Arizona 6 6 6 6
    Arkansas 3 5 5 5
    California 4 4 4 4
    Colorado 3 6 6 6
    Connecticut 6 6 6 6
    Delaware 4 3 3 3
    D.C. 3 3 3 3
    Florida 4 5 5 5
    Georgia 4 6 6 6
    Hawaii 6 6 6 6
    Idaho 5 5 5 5
    Illinois 5 10 10 10
    Indiana 6 6 6 6
    Iowa 5 10 10 10
    Kansas 3 5 5 5
    Kentucky 5 10 15 15
    Louisiana 3 10 10 10
    Maine 6 6 6 20*
    Maryland 3 3 3 6
    Massachusetts 6 6 6 6
    Michigan 6 6 6 6
    Minnesota 6 6 6 6
    Mississippi 3 3 3 3
    Missouri 5 10 10 10
    Montana 5 8 8 8
    Nebraska 4 5 5 5
    Nevada 4 6 6 6
    New Hampshire 3 3 3 3
    New Jersey 6 6 6 6
    New Mexico 4 6 6 6
    New York 6 6 6 6
    North Carolina 3 3 3 5
    North Dakota 6 6 6 6
    Ohio 6 8 8 15
    Oklahoma 3 5 5 5
    Oregon 6 6 6 6
    Pennsylvania 4 4 4 4
    Rhode Island 10 10 10 10
    South Carolina 3 3 3 3
    South Dakota 6 6 6 6
    Tennessee 6 6 6 6
    Texas 4 4 4 4
    Utah 4 6 6 6
    Vermont 6 6 6 5
    Virginia 3 5 5 6
    Washington 3 6 6 6
    West Virginia 5 10 10 10
    Wisconsin 6 6 6 10
    Wyoming 8 10 10 10

    *Note: Maine’s promissory note SOL is 20 years for secured debts.

    Additional Information:

    1. Medical Debt Treated as Written Contracts
      In nearly every state, medical bills are treated as written contracts.

    2. Time-Barred Doesn’t Mean Erased
      Once the statute expires, a collector cannot sue—but the debt still exists and may appear on your credit report.

    3. Reset Risk
      Even one payment, acknowledgment, or new agreement can restart the clock in most states.

    Key Takeaways

    • The SOL is a shield against lawsuits, not against collection attempts.

    • Time-barred debt can still appear on your credit report for up to 7 years.

    • Don’t restart the clock — be careful about making small payments or admitting the debt without legal advice. See more information about aging debt on our website.

    Next Steps

    • Know your state’s rules before talking to a collector.

    • Get everything in writing — especially if you think the debt is time-barred.

    • Download our full State Statute of Limitations Chart (PDF) for quick reference.

    • If you’re contacted about old debt, talk to a consumer rights attorney.

    Resources for Statute of Limitations

    • World Population Review — “Statute of Limitations on Debt by State 2025”: 50+DC, four categories (Written, Oral, Promissory Note, Open-Ended/Credit Card).  World Population Review

    • Credit.com — “Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection by State” (2025): overview table focused on written contracts & open-ended accounts (credit cards). Helpful cross-check. Credit.com

    • For context on time-barred debt disclosures (what collectors can/can’t do), see CFPB Regulation F