Washington debt statute of limitations

Washington limitation periods by type of debt

Credit-card debt is generally treated as a 6-year written contract / account receivable (§ 4.16.040); purely oral contracts are 3 years (§ 4.16.080).

What the Washington statute says

“The following actions shall be commenced within six years: (1) An action upon a contract in writing, or liability express or implied arising out of a written agreement,”
Wash. Rev. Code § 4.16.040(1)

“(2) An action upon an account receivable. For purposes of this section, an account receivable is any obligation for payment incurred in the ordinary course of the claimant's business or profession, whether arising from one or more transactions and whether or not earned by performance.”
Wash. Rev. Code § 4.16.040(2)

“(3) Except as provided in RCW 4.16.040(2), an action upon a contract or liability, express or implied, which is not in writing, and does not arise out of any written instrument;”
Wash. Rev. Code § 4.16.080(3)

Does paying restart the clock in Washington?

An acknowledgment or promise made after the period has expired does not restart, revive or extend it; before then, an acknowledgment must be a signed writing (Wash. Rev. Code § 4.16.280).

“No acknowledgment or promise shall be sufficient evidence of a new or continuing contract whereby to take the case out of the operation of this chapter, unless it is contained in some writing signed by the party to be charged thereby; except, an acknowledgment or promise made after the limitation period has expired shall not restart, revive, or extend the limitation period. This section shall not alter the effect of any payment of principal or interest.”
Wash. Rev. Code § 4.16.280

Washington’s own debt collection law

Washington's Collection Agency Act (RCW chapter 19.16) requires a state license to act as a collection agency or out-of-state collection agency.

“No person shall act, assume to act, or advertise as a collection agency or out-of-state collection agency as defined in this chapter, except as authorized by this chapter, without first having applied for and obtained a license from the director.”
Wash. Rev. Code § 19.16.110 (ch. 19.16, Collection Agencies)

If a creditor wins a judgment in Washington

The statute of limitations is a defense to the lawsuit. If the creditor sues within the deadline and wins — or wins by default because nobody answered — different Washington rules take over.

How long a judgment lasts

In Washington, a judgment creditor may use execution, garnishment, or other process for 10 years from entry or filing of the judgment, and may apply within 90 days before that period ends for an order granting an additional 10 years.

“may have an execution, garnishment, or other legal process issued for the collection or enforcement of the judgment at any time within 10 years from entry of the judgment or the filing of the judgment in this state.”
Rev. Code Wash. § 6.17.020(1), (3)

Wage garnishment

In Washington, when wages are garnished to collect a consumer debt, the debtor keeps each week the greater of 35 times the state minimum hourly wage or 80% of disposable earnings (other debts and private student loans have different exemptions).

“In the case of a garnishment based on a judgment or other order for the collection of consumer debt, for each week of such earnings, an amount shall be exempt from garnishment which is the greater of the following: (a) Thirty-five times the state minimum hourly wage; or (b) Eighty percent of the disposable earnings of the defendant.”
Rev. Code Wash. § 6.27.150(4)

Money in a bank account

In Washington, for consumer debt, up to $2,000 in bank accounts and similar holdings is exempt and automatically protected (the limit is $500 for most other debts and $2,500 for private student loans); dollar amounts are to be adjusted beginning July 1, 2027.

“For all consumer debt, $2,000 in value may consist of bank accounts, savings and loan accounts, stocks, bonds, or other securities. The maximum exemption under this subsection (1)(d)(iii)(A)(III) shall be automatically protected and may not exceed $2,000”
Rev. Code Wash. § 6.15.010(1)(d)(iii)(A)(III)

Small claims court

Washington small claims departments of district court hear money-only claims up to $10,000 when brought by a natural person, and up to $5,000 in all other cases.

“The small claims department shall have jurisdiction, but not exclusive, in cases for the recovery of money only if the amount claimed does not exceed: (a) Ten thousand dollars in cases brought by a natural person; or (b) Five thousand dollars in all other cases.”
Rev. Code Wash. § 12.40.010(1)

Time-barred debt in Washington

In Washington, a licensed collection agency may not sue or start arbitration on a claim it knows or should know is barred by the statute of limitations.

“(23) Bring an action or initiate an arbitration proceeding on a claim when the licensee knows, or reasonably should know, that such suit or arbitration is barred by the applicable statute of limitations.”
Wash. Rev. Code § 19.16.250(23)

What to do next

1. Find the date of your last payment or account activity — that is usually when the clock started.
2. If a collector contacted you in the last 30 days, dispute in writing first: the validation letter generator asks the collector to verify the debt without admitting it.
3. Do not pay or sign anything on an old debt until you know how Washington treats a payment (above).
4. If you are sued, respond by the deadline on the summons and raise the statute of limitations as a defense.

Common questions

How long can a debt collector sue me in Washington?

6 years for credit-card debt and 6 years on a written contract, under Wash. Rev. Code § 4.16.040. The period usually runs from your last payment or the date of default.

Does a payment restart the clock in Washington?

An acknowledgment or promise made after the period has expired does not restart, revive or extend it; before then, an acknowledgment must be a signed writing (Wash. Rev. Code § 4.16.280).

Does Washington have its own debt collection law?

Washington's Collection Agency Act (RCW chapter 19.16) requires a state license to act as a collection agency or out-of-state collection agency. (Wash. Rev. Code § 19.16.110 (ch. 19.16, Collection Agencies)).

How long does a court judgment last in Washington?

In Washington, a judgment creditor may use execution, garnishment, or other process for 10 years from entry or filing of the judgment, and may apply within 90 days before that period ends for an order granting an additional 10 years. (Rev. Code Wash. § 6.17.020(1), (3)).

How much of my pay can be garnished in Washington?

In Washington, when wages are garnished to collect a consumer debt, the debtor keeps each week the greater of 35 times the state minimum hourly wage or 80% of disposable earnings (other debts and private student loans have different exemptions). (Rev. Code Wash. § 6.27.150(4)).

What if I am sued on an old debt in Washington?

Respond by the deadline on the summons. An expired limitations period is a defense you generally have to raise yourself; a court that hears nothing from you can enter a default judgment.