Debt and Collections Law by State
Federal law (the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the federal garnishment limit) sets minimum protections, but time limits to sue, garnishment rules, and what property creditors can take are set by each state. Here are the rules state by state, each linked to the statute or official source.
Choose your state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Compare the states
- Statute of Limitations on Debt by State
- Wage Garnishment Limits by State
- Homestead Exemption from Creditors by State
Tools, guides and templates
- Common questions, answered for every state
- Wage garnishment calculator
- Zombie debt
- Your rights with debt collectors (FDCPA)
- Collections on your credit report
- Debt validation letter
- Credit report dispute letter
- Goodwill letter
- Pay for delete letter
Plain-English guides
- Collections on Your Credit Report: Time Limits and Disputes
- Your Rights Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
- What Is Wage Garnishment?
- Zombie Debt: What to Do About Old, Time-Barred Debt
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if a debt collector sues me?
Do not ignore it. Read the court papers for the deadline to respond, and file an answer with the court by that date. If you don't, the creditor can usually get a default judgment. Free legal aid and court self-help centers can help.
Does the statute of limitations erase a debt?
No. It limits how long a creditor can sue. The debt may still exist and may still appear on a credit report for a time, and in some states a payment can restart the clock.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.