The Statute of Limitations & Debt Collection
The statute of limitations is the time period set by law in which someone can sue you. In the debt collection context, a creditor or bill collector cannot sue you for payment of a debt after the applicable statute of limitations period has run. It's important to understand what the statute of limitations is in your state and for various types of debts, how you might unwittingly restart the time period to sue, and what you can do if a collector or creditor tries to sue you after the statute has run.
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Time-Barred Debts: When Collectors Cannot Sue You for Unpaid Debts
After a period of time, creditors lose the right to sue you forunpaid debts.
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Debt Scavengers and Zombie Debt
Learn how to avoid the horror story of debt collection harassment over old "zombie" debt.
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Credit Card Agreements: The Fine Print Might Provide More Time to Sue You
If a credit card agreement designates another state in its choice of law provision, it might have more time to sue you for delinquent debt.
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Small Claims Statutes of Limitations
Know the time limits for filing a lawsuit (statutes of limitations) in your state.
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The statute of limitations ran out on my credit debt. Can the collection agency still contact me?
If the statute of limitations has run out, the collector cannot sue you but can contact you about payment.
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I settled with a creditor on an old debt. Does the statute of limitations prevent it from suing me?
If you agree to make payments on an old debt, you may revive or extend the statute of limitations.
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