Statute of Limitations on Debt in Maryland
How long a creditor or collector has to sue you over a debt in Maryland, and whether a payment restarts the clock.
Short answer: 3 years for a civil action on a contract, written or oral. 12 years for a contract under seal (a 'specialty'), but the 12-year period does not apply to hospital debt owed by a consumer. Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101; § 5-102
| Time limit to sue on a written contract | 3 years for a civil action on a contract, written or oral. 12 years for a contract under seal (a 'specialty'), but the 12-year period does not apply to hospital debt owed by a consumer. § 5-102: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcj§ion=5-102&enactments=false |
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| Time limit for credit cards and open accounts | 3 years, the general period for civil actions, including credit card and open-account debts. |
| Can a payment restart the clock? | For consumer debt, once the limitations period has run out, a payment, a written or oral acknowledgment, or any other activity on the debt does not revive or extend it, and a creditor or collector may not sue on the time-barred debt. A separate written payment agreement made before the period expired can carry its own limitations period. For sealed instruments (specialties), a payment of principal or interest suspends the 12-year period for 3 years (§ 5-102(b)). |
Where to get help in Maryland
- Maryland Office of Financial Regulation (licenses collection agencies; enforces the Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act)
- File a complaint or claim
More Maryland debt & collections
- Wage Garnishment in Maryland
- How to Respond to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Maryland
- What Creditors Can't Take in Maryland
- Medical Debt Protections in Maryland
- All Maryland debt & collections rules
FAQ
What is the statute of limitations on debt in Maryland?
3 years for a civil action on a contract, written or oral. 12 years for a contract under seal (a 'specialty'), but the 12-year period does not apply to hospital debt owed by a consumer.
How long can a creditor sue on a credit card debt in Maryland?
3 years, the general period for civil actions, including credit card and open-account debts.
Does making a payment restart the statute of limitations in Maryland?
For consumer debt, once the limitations period has run out, a payment, a written or oral acknowledgment, or any other activity on the debt does not revive or extend it, and a creditor or collector may not sue on the time-barred debt. A separate written payment agreement made before the period expired can carry its own limitations period.
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.