The 50-state file

Debt deadlines & limits by state

How long a debt collector has to sue you over a credit-card debt — and what can restart that clock after it runs out. Pick your state for the full file: your deadline to answer a lawsuit, the paycheck rules, bank-account shields, and what changes when the bank itself is calling — each with the law cited. Figures checked October 18, 2026.

State	Years to sue	The law	What restarts the clock after it runs out
Alabama	3–6 yrs	Ala. Code §6-2-34(4)-(5); §6-2-37(1)	both
Alaska	3 yrs	Alaska Stat. §09.10.053	both
Arizona	6 yrs	A.R.S. §12-548	written
Arkansas	3–5 yrs	Ark. Code §16-56-111(a); §16-56-105	both
California	4 yrs	Cal. Civ. Proc. Code §337	written
Colorado	6 yrs	Colo. Rev. Stat. §13-80-103.5(1)(a)	both
Connecticut	6 yrs	Conn. Gen. Stat. §52-576(a)	both
Delaware	3 yrs	10 Del. C. §8106(a)	both
District of Columbia	3 yrs	D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(7); D.C. Code § 28-3814(o)	none
Florida	4–5 yrs	Fla. Stat. §95.11(2)(b); §95.11(3)(k) (renumbered (3)(j) in the 2024 statutes)	written
Georgia	4–6 yrs	O.C.G.A. §9-3-24; §9-3-25	written
Hawaii	6 yrs	HRS §657-1	both
Idaho	4–5 yrs	Idaho Code §§5-216, 5-217	both
Illinois	5–10 yrs	735 ILCS 5/13-206; 735 ILCS 5/13-205	written
Indiana	6 yrs	Ind. Code §34-11-2-9; §34-11-2-7	both
Iowa	5–10 yrs	Iowa Code §614.1(4)–(5)	written
Kansas	3–5 yrs	K.S.A. 60-511(1); K.S.A. 60-512(1)	both
Kentucky	5–10 yrs	KRS 413.160; KRS 413.120(1)	both
Louisiana	3–10 yrs	La. Civ. Code art. 3494(4); art. 3499	both
Maine	6 yrs	14 M.R.S. §752	none
Maryland	3 yrs	Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-101	none
Massachusetts	6 yrs	M.G.L. ch. 260, §2	both
Michigan	6 yrs	MCL 600.5807(9)	both
Minnesota	6 yrs	Minn. Stat. §541.05, subd. 1(1)	both
Mississippi	3 yrs	Miss. Code §§15-1-29, 15-1-49	both
Missouri	5–10 yrs	Mo. Rev. Stat. §§516.110, 516.120	both
Montana	5–8 yrs	MCA §27-2-202	both
Nebraska	4–5 yrs	Neb. Rev. Stat. §§25-205, 25-206	both
Nevada	4–6 yrs	NRS 11.190(1)(b), (2)(a)-(b)	none
New Hampshire	3 yrs	RSA 508:4	both
New Jersey	6 yrs	N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1	both
New Mexico	4–6 yrs	NMSA 1978 §§ 37-1-3, 37-1-4	both
New York	3 yrs	CPLR §214-i	none
North Carolina	3 yrs	N.C.G.S. § 1-52(1)	both
North Dakota	6 yrs	N.D. Cent. Code § 28-01-16(1)	both
Ohio	6 yrs	Ohio Rev. Code §§ 2305.06, 2305.07(C)	both
Oklahoma	3–5 yrs	Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95(A)(1)-(2)	both
Oregon	6 yrs	ORS 12.080(1)	written
Pennsylvania	4 yrs	42 Pa.C.S. § 5525(a)	both
Rhode Island	10 yrs	R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13(a)	both
South Carolina	3 yrs	S.C. Code § 15-3-530(1)	both
South Dakota	6 yrs	SDCL § 15-2-13	both
Tennessee	6 yrs	Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109(a)(3)	written
Texas	4 yrs	Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.004	written
Utah	4–6 yrs	Utah Code §§ 78B-2-309, 78B-2-307	both
Vermont	6 yrs	12 V.S.A. § 511	both
Virginia	3–5 yrs	Va. Code § 8.01-246(A)(2), (A)(4)	written
Washington	6 yrs	RCW 4.16.040(1)-(2); RCW 4.16.080(3)	written
West Virginia	5–10 yrs	W. Va. Code § 55-2-6	written
Wisconsin	6 yrs	Wis. Stat. § 893.43(1)	none
Wyoming	8–10 yrs	Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(i)-(ii)	both

The clock usually starts at the first missed payment that was never made up — not at your last statement. Two states' clocks can apply to one debt: yours, and the one your card agreement picked. The free checker works out both.

Included in the $39 DebtDecoded Kit

The letter builder — answer a few questions and it writes your letters: the one that makes them prove the debt is yours, and the one that orders them to stop calling. Wording follows the federal rulebook (Regulation F). Ready to print and mail
The old-debt trap worksheet — checks your dates against your state's restart rule before you pay or sign anything, so one small payment can't quietly restart the clock on an old debt (the trap lawyers call 'revival')
The call log — counts their calls against the legal line: more than 7 calls in 7 days about one debt counts as harassment (12 CFR 1006.14(b)(2))
The 'what they can't take' pack — what a court judgment can and cannot take in your state, including the rule that shields two months of federal benefits sitting in your bank account (31 CFR Part 212)
The offer-math worksheet — what a 'deal' really costs once fees and the tax on the written-off part are counted (that tax shows up on Form 1099-C)
The complaint walkthrough and the honest directory — who to call instead when a free or better route fits you

One payment. Every stage of the road, and the deadline tables for all 50 states — every number with its law cited. No account, no subscription — and the free checker above stays free whether you buy or not.

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