Statutes of Limitation
on Credit Card Debt
By State

What is a Statute of Limitations?

Creditors and debt collectors have a limited time in which to sue for nonpayment of credit card bills. That time limit is different in every state. In most states, the statute of limitations period on debts is between 3 and 10 years from the date of last activity on the account (usually the last payment). Debts that have lasted longer than the statutes allow are often called "time-barred debts."

Time-barred debt

Debt collectors can try to collect time-barred debts, but they can't use the courts to collect them. If a debt collector sues you to for a time-barred debt, you can have the suit dismissed by letting the court or judge know the debt is time-barred. Debt collectors, however, caution that the statute of limitations (SOL) does not prevent debt collectors from attempting to collect on debts. They just cannot successfully sue to collect the debts.

Be Careful Of Re-aging Debt

You should be aware of re-aging of old debts. The statute of limitations may reset if a you make a payment on a debt that has exceeded or is approaching the end of the statute of limitations. Acknowledging an old debt may also extend the time limit on potential debt collection lawsuits.