Debt relief glossary
Statute of limitations on debt
The deadline after which a creditor can no longer sue to collect a debt — but the debt may still exist.
The statute of limitations on debt is the time period within which a creditor can file a lawsuit to collect an unpaid debt. Once the statute of limitations expires, the debt is called time-barred, and a court must dismiss a collection lawsuit. The limitation period varies by debt type and state: commonly 3–6 years for credit card debt, 4–6 years for written contracts, and up to 10 years for some state judgments. Importantly, a time-barred debt can still appear on your credit report for up to 7 years from the date of first delinquency (a separate timeline). Making even a small payment on a time-barred debt can restart the statute of limitations clock in many states — effectively reviving the debt.