Know the time limits for filing a lawsuit (statutes of limitations) in your state.
We provide this chart as a rough guide. Check your state’s actual statutes of limitations for the time limit for your specific claim, which may be different than what you read here. For example, time limits for filing a lawsuit to recover on a bad debt are often shorter than the time limits for filing a lawsuit for breaches of other types of contracts. And while in some states the statute of limitations for foreclosing on a mortgage is the same as for written contracts, in other states there is a separate law and time period.
Looking at the actual law will also help you determine when the statute of limitations begins to run, the events that delay or “toll” the limitations period, and any other time periods that can cut off the ability to sue. Also, keep in mind that court rulings can determine the way that the statutes apply—and even make them unenforceable.
The rules and procedure in this area are complex. The time period might be different for an action against the government. You might have to file a particular kind of claim before suing. You might have grounds for a different or an additional claim—with a different statute of limitations—than what you thought. Because of all the complexity, an experienced lawyer is your best bet for enforcing or protecting your rights.
Statutes of Limitations for the 50 States (and the District of Columbia)
| Gen. Laws § 9-1-12 et seq. | 10 | 10 | 3 | 10 | |
| South Carolina | S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-510 et seq. | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| South Dakota | S.D. Codified Laws Ann. § 15-2-1 et seq. | 6 | 6 | 3 | 6 |
| Tennessee | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-101 et seq. | 6 | 6 | 1 | 3 |
| Texas | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.001 et seq., Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Ann. § 2.725 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Utah | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-101 et seq. | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Vermont | Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 12, § 461 et seq. | 6 | 6 | 3 | 6 (real property); 3 (personal property) |
| Virginia | Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-228 et seq. | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Washington | Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 4.16.005 et seq. | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| West Virginia | W. Va. Code § 55-2-1 et seq. | 10 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| Wisconsin | Wis. Stat. Ann. § 893.01 et seq. | 6 | 6 | 3 | 6 |
| Wyoming | Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-102 et seq. | 10 | 8 | 4 | 4 |