Free tools / Debt Statute of Limitations Checker
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How long can I be sued for a debt?

Pick your state to see how long a creditor has to sue on credit-card and written-contract debt — each linked to the verified statute.

A debt statute-of-limitations lookup for all 50 states, each backed by a verified statute citation. Pick your state to see how long a creditor has to SUE on credit-card/open-account debt and on a written contract. Past the deadline, the debt is “time-barred.” This isn’t legal advice — the linked statute controls, and paying or acknowledging a debt can restart the clock.

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Common questions

Does the statute of limitations erase my debt?

No. It bars a creditor from winning a lawsuit to collect — it doesn’t cancel the debt or, by itself, remove it from your credit report. In most states you must raise the expired limitation as a defense; a court won’t apply it automatically.

What restarts the clock?

In many states, making a payment, promising to pay, or acknowledging the debt in writing can reset the limitations period — giving the collector a fresh window to sue. Check your state’s rule before paying on an old debt.

Which number applies to my credit card?

It depends on your state. Some treat credit-card debt as an “open account,” others as a written contract, and a few name it in the statute. This tool shows the credit-card/open-account figure and, separately, the written-contract figure per state.

Can a collector still sue after it expires?

They can file, and some do. If the debt is time-barred, the expired statute of limitations is a complete defense — but you have to respond to the suit and raise it. Ignoring it is how a time-barred debt becomes a judgment.

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This tool is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice, and doesn’t create an attorney-client relationship. Statutes change and have exceptions; the linked primary source controls. For advice on your situation, consult a licensed professional in your state.

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