It varies rather a lot. Right here in Utah, you’ll be able to rely on 6 years being about commonplace.
The statute of limitations means the period of time a creditor has to file a lawsuit towards you for some type of debt. For instance, you had a medical process finished 10 years in the past, and so they simply barely acquired round to submitting a lawsuit towards you in state courtroom. That lawsuit might be thrown out if you happen to assert the protection that the statute of limitations has run.
Mainly, the debt is simply too previous, and so they missed their probability.
Right here in Utah, the statutes of limitation for debt assortment seem like this:
8 years
judgment — 8 years from date of judgment (until they renew it, then the 8 years begins once more)
6 years
bank cards — 6 years from date on signed contract or 4 years from final cost acquired
automobile mortgage — (it’s a signed contract)
gymnasium membership — (it it’s a written settlement, in any other case solely 4)
medical debt — (6 years or 4 years, relying on whether or not or not there’s a written contract)
4 years
retailer accounts (like an RC Willey account)
for work carried out (and not using a contract)
open account for providers or supplies — (no contract right here both)
verbal contract — (Not in writing. That’s why is says “verbal.”)
3 years
fraud — 3 years from date of discovery (when the defrauded particular person learns that he’s been defrauded)
2 years
wrongful loss of life
1 12 months
libel, slander, false imprisonment, or seduction — 1 12 months (and to be trustworthy, I’ve by no means had a seduction case earlier than, dang it!)
Listed here are the precise statutes:
1 12 months
An motion could also be introduced inside one 12 months:
…
(4) for libel, slander, false imprisonment, or seduction;
2 years
An motion could also be introduced inside two years:
…
(2) for restoration of damages for a loss of life attributable to the wrongful act or neglect of one other;
3 years
An motion could also be introduced inside three years:
…
(2) for taking, detaining, or injuring private property, together with actions for particular get welly; besides that in instances the place the topic of the motion is a home animal normally included within the time period “livestock,” which on the time of its loss has a recorded mark or model, if the animal strayed or was stolen from the true proprietor with out the proprietor’s fault, the trigger doesn’t accrue till the proprietor has precise information of details that will put an inexpensive particular person upon inquiry as to the possession of the animal by the defendant;
(3) for reduction on the bottom of fraud or mistake; besides that the explanation for motion doesn’t accrue till the invention by the aggrieved social gathering of the details constituting the fraud or mistake;
4 years
An motion could also be introduced inside 4 years:
(1) after the final cost is made or the final cost is acquired:
(a) upon a contract, obligation, or legal responsibility not based upon an instrument in writing;
(b) on an open retailer account for any items, wares, or merchandise; or
(c) on an open account for work, labor or providers rendered, or supplies furnished;
6 years
(1) An motion could also be introduced inside six years:
(a) for the mesne income of actual property;
(b) topic to Subsection (2), upon any contract, obligation, or legal responsibility based upon an instrument in writing, besides these talked about in Part 78B-2-311; or
(c) to get well hearth suppression prices or different damages attributable to wildland hearth.
(2) For a credit score settlement, as outlined in Part 25-5-4, the six-year interval described in Subsection (1) begins the later of the day on which:
(a) the debt arose;
(b) the debtor makes a written acknowledgment of the debt or a promise to pay the debt; or
(c) the debtor or a 3rd social gathering makes a cost on the debt.