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Statutes of Limitations For Contracts and Agreements

What is the statute of limitations for any signed contract or oral agreement?

Contracts and Agreements Statute of Limitations

In order for a debt collector or private person to sue you or attempt to claim money on a past debt which you signed a contract for or possibly gave an oral agreement where you first attained the loan must fall within a certain time-line allowed by law. This is known as the statute of limitations and is that time which is allotted by law of the state where the contract originated within which you can be held liable for the debt.

Most states in the US are regulated by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) for collection agencies and debt buyers and must abide by the rules of the FDCPA or face violations.

Debt Collectors and The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

Have you been a victim of a debt collector who uses sneaky tactics that you believe are a direct violation of the FDCPA? Did the debt collector lie to you about your debt? Did the debt collection agency tell you they would have you arrested if you didn't pay your debt? If so, they may be in direct violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act!

Post Your Legal Question For Free to a Qualified Attorney

Below is a listing of the states and their statute of limitations as they pertain to written contracts and oral agreements within that state. While this list is updated regularly, often-times laws in every state get modified, repealed, amended or changed by legislation. Please find a contract a lawyer who is qualified to represent you in your legal business matter.

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR CONTRACTS
STATE	STATUTE RULES
Alabama	Written Contract: 6 Years Sealed Instrument: 10 Years Open Accounts: 3 Years Domestic Judgment: 20 Years Foreign Judgment: 20 Years Disclaimer: Alabama contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Alaska	Written Contract: 3 Years 10 Years on Sealed Instrument Sale of Goods: 4 Years Open Accounts: 5 Years Domestic Judgment: 10 Years Foreign Judgment: 10 Years Disclaimer: Alaska contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Arizona	Written Contract: 6 Years Open Accounts: 3 Years Domestic Judgment: 5 Years (additional 5 upon request) Foreign Judgment: 4 Years Disclaimer: Arizona contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Arkansas	Written Contract: 5 Years (partial payment stops the statute from running) Oral Agreement: 3 Years Sale of Goods: 4 Years Open Accounts: 3 Years Domestic Judgment: 10 Years - Renewable Foreign Judgment: 10 Years Disclaimer: Arkansas contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
California	Written Contract: 4 Years Oral Agreement: 2 Years Open Accounts: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: 10 Years - Renewable Foreign Judgment: 10 Years Disclaimer: California contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Colorado	Written Contract: 6 Years Written Contract Goods Services: 3 Oral Agreement: 2 Years Open Accounts: 3 Years Domestic Judgment: 6 Years - Renewable Foreign Judgment: 6 Years Disclaimer: Colorado contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Connecticut	Written Contract: 6 Years Oral Agreement: 3 Years Open Accounts: 6 Years Domestic Judgment: 20\|25 Years Small Claims Judgment: 10/15 Foreign Judgment: 20 Years Disclaimer: Connecticut contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Delaware	Written Contract: 3 Years Oral Agreement: 2 Years Open Accounts: 4 Years Sale of Goods: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: None Foreign Judgment: None Disclaimer: Delaware contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Florida	Written Contract: 5 Years Open Accounts: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: 7 Years - Renewable Foreign Judgment: 5 Years Disclaimer: Florida contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Georgia	Written Contract: 6 Years Oral Agreement: 4 Years Open Accounts: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: 7 Years Foreign Judgment: 5 Years Disclaimer: Georgia contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Hawaii	Written Contract: 6 Years Open Accounts: 6 Years Sale of Goods: 6 Years Domestic Judgment: 10 Years Foreign Judgment: 6 Years Disclaimer: Hawaii contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Idaho	Written Contract: 5 Years Oral Agreement: 4 Years Open Accounts: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: 5 Years - Renewable Foreign Judgment: 6 Years - Renewable Disclaimer: Idaho contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Illinois	Written Contract: 10 Years Oral Agreement: 5 Years Open Accounts: 5 Years Sale of Goods: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: 20 Years Foreign Judgment: Same as originating jurisdiction Disclaimer: Illinois contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Indiana	Written Contract: 10 Years Oral Agreement: 6 Years Open Accounts: 6 Years Sale of Goods: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: 20 Years Foreign Judgment: 10 Years Disclaimer: Indiana contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Iowa	Written Contract: 10 Years Oral Agreement: 5 Years Open Accounts: 5 Years Domestic Judgment: 10 Years - Renewable on the 9th year Foreign Judgment: 10 Years - Renewable on the 9th year Disclaimer: Iowa contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Kansas	Written Contract: 5 Years Oral Agreement: 2 Years Open Accounts: 3 Years Domestic Judgment: 5 Years - Renewable Foreign Judgment: 5 Years - Renwable Disclaimer: Kansas contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Kentucky	Written Contract: 15 Years Open Accounts: 5 Years Oral Agreement: 5 Years Domestic Judgment: 15 Years Foreign Judgment: 15 Years Disclaimer: Kentucky contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Louisiana	Written Contract: 10 Years Open Accounts: 3 Years Promissory Notes: 5 Years Domestic Judgment: 10 Years Foreign Judgment: 10 Years Disclaimer: Louisiana contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Maine	Written Contract: 6 Years Written Contract With Attestment - 20 Years Open Accounts: 6 Years Domestic Judgment: 20 Years Foreign Judgment: 20 Years Disclaimer: Maine contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Maryland	Written Contract: 3 Years Open Accounts: 3 Years Sale of Goods: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: 12 Years Foreign Judgment: 12 Years Disclaimer: Maryland contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Massachusetts	Written Contract: 20 Years Open Accounts: 6 Years Sale of Goods: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: 20 Years Foreign Judgment: 20 Years Disclaimer: Massachusetts contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Michigan	Written Contract: 6 Years Open Accounts: 6 Years Sale of Goods: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: 10 Years - Renewable Foreign Judgment: 10 Years Disclaimer: Michigan contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Minnesota	Written Contract: 6 Years Open Accounts: 6 Years Sale of Goods: 4 Years Transportation Services: 3 Years Domestic Judgment: 10 Years Foreign Judgment: 10 Years Disclaimer: Minnesota contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Mississippi	Written Contract: 3 Years Open Accounts: 3 Years Sale of Goods: 6 Years Domestic Judgment: 7 Years Foreign Judgment: 7 Years Disclaimer: Mississippi contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Missouri	Written Contract: 10 Years Oral Agreement: 5 Years Open Accounts: 5 Years Sale of Goods: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: 10 Years - Renewable every 3 years Foreign Judgment: 10 Years - Renewable every 3 years Disclaimer: Missouri contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Montana	Written Contract: 8 Years Oral Agreement: 5 Years Open Accounts: 5 Years Domestic Judgment: 6 Years - Renewable Foreign Judgment: 6 Years - Renewable Disclaimer: Montana contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Nebraska	Written Contract: 5 Years Oral Agreement: 4 Years Open Accounts: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: 5 Years - Renewable every 5 years Foreign Judgment: 5 Years Disclaimer: Nebraska contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Nevada	Written Contract: 6 Years Signed Lease: 4 Years Oral Agreement: 4 Years Open Accounts: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: 6 Years Foreign Judgment: 6 Years Disclaimer: Nevada contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
New Hampshire	Written Contract: 3 Years Sealed Instrument: 20 Years Open Accounts: 3 Years Sale of Goods: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: 20 Years Foreign Judgment: 20 Years Disclaimer: New Hampshire contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
New Jersey	Written Contract: 6 Years Open Accounts: 6 Years Sale of Goods: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: 20 Years Foreign Judgment: 20 Years Disclaimer: New Jersey contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
New Mexico	Written Contract: 6 Years Oral Agreement: 4 Years Open Accounts: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: 14 Years Foreign Judgment: 14 Years Disclaimer: New Mexico contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
New York	Written Contract: 6 Years Open Accounts: 6 Years Domestic Judgment: 20 Years - 10 year renewable lien Foreign Judgment: 20 Years - 10 year renewable lien Disclaimer: New York contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
North Carolina	Written Contract: 3 Years Sealed Instrument: 10 Years Oral Agreement: 3 Years Open Accounts: 3 Years Sale of Goods: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: 10 Years Foreign Judgment: 10 Years Disclaimer: North Carolina contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
North Dakota	Written Contract: 6 Years Open Accounts: 6 Years Sale of Goods: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: 10 Years - Renewable Foreign Judgment: 10 Years - Renewable Disclaimer: North Dakota contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Ohio	Written Contract: 15 Years Oral Agreement: 6 Years Open Accounts: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: 21 Years - Renewable every 5 years Foreign Judgment: 21 Years - Renewable every 5 years Disclaimer: Ohio contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Oklahoma	Written Contract: 5 Years Oral Agreement: 3 Years Open Accounts: 3 Years Domestic Judgment: 5 Years - Renewable Foreign Judgment: 3 Years Disclaimer: Oklahoma contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Oregon	Written Contract: 6 Years Open Accounts: 6 Years Sale of Goods: 6 Years Domestic Judgment: 10 Years - Renewable at 10 years Foreign Judgment: 10 Years Disclaimer: Oregon contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Pennsylvania	Written Contract: 4 Years Oral Agreement: 4 Years Open Accounts: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: 5 Years Foreign Judgment: 4 Years Disclaimer: Pennsylvania contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Rhode Island	Written Contract: 10 Years Oral Agreement: 10 Years Open Accounts: 10 Years Domestic Judgment: 20 Years Foreign Judgment: 20 Years Disclaimer: Rhode Island contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
South Carolina	Written Contract: 3 Years Oral Agreement: 3 Years Open Accounts: 3 Years Domestic Judgment: 10 Years Foreign Judgment: 10 Years Disclaimer: South Carolina contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
South Dakota	Written Contract: 6 Years Open Accounts: 6 Years Sale of Goods: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: 20 Years Foreign Judgment: 10 Years Disclaimer: South Dakota contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Tennessee	Written Contract: 6 Years Open Accounts: 6 Years Domestic Judgment: 10 Years Foreign Judgment: 10 Years Disclaimer: Tennessee contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Texas	Written Contract: 4 Years Open Accounts: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: 10 Years - Renewable Foreign Judgment: 10 Years - Renewable Disclaimer: Texas contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Utah	Written Contract: 6 Years Oral Agreement: 4 Years Open Accounts: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: 8 Years Foreign Judgment: 8 Years Disclaimer: Utah contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Vermont	Written Contract: 6 Years Open Accounts: 6 Years Domestic Judgment: 8 Years Foreign Judgment: 8 Years Disclaimer: Vermont contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Virginia	Written Contract: 5 Years Open Accounts: 3 Years Sale of Goods: 4 Years Domestic Judgment: 20 Years Foreign Judgment: 10 Years Disclaimer: Virginia contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Washington	Written Contract: 6 Years Oral Agreement: 3 Years Open Accounts: 5 Years Domestic Judgment: 10 Years Foreign Judgment: 10 Years Disclaimer: Washington contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
West Virginia	Written Contract: 10 Years Oral Agreement: 5 Years Open Accounts: 5 Years Domestic Judgment: 10 Years Foreign Judgment: 10 Years Disclaimer: West Virginia contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Wisconsin	Written Contract: 6 Years Open Accounts: 6 Years Domestic Judgment: 20 Years Foreign Judgment: 20 Years Disclaimer: Wisconsin contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.
Wyoming	Written Contract: 10 Years Oral Agreement: 8 Years Open Accounts: 8 Years Domestic Judgment: 5 Years Foreign Judgment: 5 Years Disclaimer: Wyoming contract laws can change over time, and you need to consult with an attorney before you use this information.

Disclaimer: Statute of Limitation debt laws in every state get modified, repealed, amended, and/or changed by the legislature of that states jurisdiction. The authors and webmaster of StatuteofLimitation.info have made every effort to post the most current laws. Please use this site as a general reference and for comparison purposes. Do not substitute any information from this site for advice you would get from a qualified legal professional

US State Statute of Limitations

Statutes of Limitations For Contracts and Agreements

Contracts and Agreements Statute of Limitations

Debt Collectors and The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

Post Your Legal Question For Free to a Qualified Attorney

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR CONTRACTS

US State Statute of Limitations