Expired Debt: What Consumers Need to Know What Is Expired Debt?
Expired debt, also known as time-barred debt, is debt that has passed
the statute of limitations set by state law. Once this time period expires, a creditor or collection agency can no longer sue you in court to collect the debt.
Most states set the statute of limitations between 3 and 6 years, depending on the type of debt and the state where the consumer lives. The clock usually begins on the date of the last payment or account activity.
Can Expired Debt Still Affect My Credit? Yes. Even if a debt is legally expired, it may still appear on your credit report for up to seven years from the date of first delinquency, according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
This means:
What Collectors Can and Cannot Do Collectors Cannot:
Collectors Can:
Be Careful: Actions That Can Restart the Clock In many states, the statute of limitations can be reset if you:
How We Help With Expired Debt Our credit repair process includes:
Why Expired Debt Matters Expired debt is one of the most misunderstood and abused areas of credit reporting. Many consumers unknowingly pay debts they are no longer legally required to pay, or suffer credit damage due to non-compliant reporting.
Understanding your rights can protect your credit, your finances, and your peace of mind.
Get Help Reviewing Your Credit Report If you’re unsure whether an account is expired or being reported correctly, we can help. A professional review can uncover errors, outdated accounts, and violations that may be hurting your score.
👉 Get Your Credit Evaluation Today
Got it — you’re looking for expired debt timelines by state (aka statute of limitations, when a creditor can no longer sue to collect). Here’s a clean, practical breakdown
Important: These are general consumer debts (credit cards, written contracts). Medical, auto loans, and judgments can differ. Making a payment or acknowledging the debt can restart the clock in many states.
📅 Expired Debt (Statute of Limitations) by State State Years
Alabama 6 Years
Alaska 3
Arizona 6
Arkansas 5
California 4
Colorado6
Connecticut 6
Delaware 3
Florida 5
Georgia 6
Hawaii 6
Idaho 5
Illinois 5
Indiana 6
Iowa 5
Kansas 5
Kentucky 5
Louisiana 10
Maine 6
Maryland 3
Massachusetts 6
Michigan 6
Minnesota 6
Mississippi 3
Missouri 5
Montana 8
Nebraska 5
Nevada 6
New Hampshire 3
New Jersey 6
New Mexico 6
New York 3
North Carolina 3
North Dakota 6
Ohio 6
Oklahoma 5
Oregon 6
Pennsylvania 4
Rhode Island 10
South Carolina 3
South Dakota 6
Tennessee 6
Texas 4
Utah 6
Vermont 6
Virginia 5
Washington 6
West Virginia 5
Wisconsin 6
Wyoming 8
Expired debt, also known as time-barred debt, is debt that has passed
the statute of limitations set by state law. Once this time period expires, a creditor or collection agency can no longer sue you in court to collect the debt.
Most states set the statute of limitations between 3 and 6 years, depending on the type of debt and the state where the consumer lives. The clock usually begins on the date of the last payment or account activity.
Can Expired Debt Still Affect My Credit? Yes. Even if a debt is legally expired, it may still appear on your credit report for up to seven years from the date of first delinquency, according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
This means:
- A debt can be too old to sue on
- But still damage your credit score
- And still be illegally or inaccurately reported
What Collectors Can and Cannot Do Collectors Cannot:
- File a lawsuit on expired debt
- Threaten legal action on time-barred accounts
- Misrepresent your legal obligation to pay
Collectors Can:
- Attempt to collect payment (with proper disclosure)
- Send collection notices
- Report accurate information within legal time limits
Be Careful: Actions That Can Restart the Clock In many states, the statute of limitations can be reset if you:
- Make a payment (even a small one)
- Promise to pay
- Admit the debt is yours in writing
How We Help With Expired Debt Our credit repair process includes:
- Reviewing account history and last activity dates
- Identifying time-barred and expired debts
- Challenging improper collection practices
- Disputing inaccurate or illegal credit reporting
- Helping clients avoid actions that restart old debt
Why Expired Debt Matters Expired debt is one of the most misunderstood and abused areas of credit reporting. Many consumers unknowingly pay debts they are no longer legally required to pay, or suffer credit damage due to non-compliant reporting.
Understanding your rights can protect your credit, your finances, and your peace of mind.
Get Help Reviewing Your Credit Report If you’re unsure whether an account is expired or being reported correctly, we can help. A professional review can uncover errors, outdated accounts, and violations that may be hurting your score.
👉 Get Your Credit Evaluation Today
Got it — you’re looking for expired debt timelines by state (aka statute of limitations, when a creditor can no longer sue to collect). Here’s a clean, practical breakdown
Important: These are general consumer debts (credit cards, written contracts). Medical, auto loans, and judgments can differ. Making a payment or acknowledging the debt can restart the clock in many states.
📅 Expired Debt (Statute of Limitations) by State State Years
Alabama 6 Years
Alaska 3
Arizona 6
Arkansas 5
California 4
Colorado6
Connecticut 6
Delaware 3
Florida 5
Georgia 6
Hawaii 6
Idaho 5
Illinois 5
Indiana 6
Iowa 5
Kansas 5
Kentucky 5
Louisiana 10
Maine 6
Maryland 3
Massachusetts 6
Michigan 6
Minnesota 6
Mississippi 3
Missouri 5
Montana 8
Nebraska 5
Nevada 6
New Hampshire 3
New Jersey 6
New Mexico 6
New York 3
North Carolina 3
North Dakota 6
Ohio 6
Oklahoma 5
Oregon 6
Pennsylvania 4
Rhode Island 10
South Carolina 3
South Dakota 6
Tennessee 6
Texas 4
Utah 6
Vermont 6
Virginia 5
Washington 6
West Virginia 5
Wisconsin 6
Wyoming 8