Missouri Debt Collection Laws: Time Limits, Garnishment and Your Rights
Missouri debt rules: statute of limitations, wage garnishment limits, protected bank and home exemptions, judgments, collector rules and how to answer a debt lawsuit.
Quick answers for Missouri
- Time limit to sue on a written contract
- 10 years for an action on a writing that promises to pay money. 5 years for other contract actions, including oral agreements. RSMo 516.110(1); RSMo 516.120(1)
- Wage garnishment limit
- No more than the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum wage. For a Missouri resident who is head of a family, the limit is 10%. RSMo 525.030.2, .5
- Money protected in a bank account
- No specific bank account exemption. Bank funds can be protected only through general exemptions: the 'any other property' exemption ($600 through December 31, 2026; RSMo 513.430.1(3); RSMo 513.440
Last verified: 2026-10-26
Time limits
| Time limit to sue on a written contract | 10 years for an action on a writing that promises to pay money. 5 years for other contract actions, including oral agreements. 516.120: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=516.120. Which period applies depends on whether the written document itself contains the promise to pay. Source: RSMo 516.110(1); RSMo 516.120(1) |
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| Time limit for credit cards and open accounts | 5 years for contracts, obligations or liabilities, express or implied, other than writings for the payment of money. Whether a credit card account is a 'writing for the payment of money' (10 years) depends on the documents and court decisions. Source: RSMo 516.120(1) |
| Can a payment restart the clock? | For contract debts, an acknowledgment or promise extends or revives the time to sue only if it is in a writing signed by the person who owes the debt. Source: RSMo 516.320 |
| How long a judgment lasts | A judgment is conclusively presumed paid 10 years after it was entered, unless it was revived (with personal service on the debtor) or a payment was made and entered on the court record, in which case the 10 years run from the revival or last recorded payment. Judgments for unpaid rent may be revived by publication instead of personal service (516.350.5). Source: RSMo 516.350 |
Garnishment and what creditors can't take
| Wage garnishment limit | No more than the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum wage. For a Missouri resident who is head of a family, the limit is 10%. Limits do not apply to support orders, Chapter 13 bankruptcy orders, or tax debts. An employer may not fire a worker over a garnishment for one debt. Source: RSMo 525.030.2, .5 |
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| Money protected in a bank account | No specific bank account exemption. Bank funds can be protected only through general exemptions: the 'any other property' exemption ($600 through December 31, 2026; $1,700 from January 1, 2027), and for a head of a family, up to $1,250 plus $350 per qualifying dependent child in any property, including debts and wages. Current 513.430 (effective Aug. 28, 2022): https://revisor.mo.gov/main/PageSelect.aspx?section=513.430&bid=51255; version effective Jan. 1, 2027 (2026 H.B. 1870 / S.B. 835 & 1111): https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=513.430. Social Security, unemployment and public assistance benefits are exempt (513.430.1(10)). Source: RSMo 513.430.1(3); RSMo 513.440 |
| Homestead exemption | $15,000 in a dwelling and land used as a homestead, through December 31, 2026. Starting January 1, 2027, the homestead exemption rises to $40,000. Co-owners share one exemption. Recently changed. Current $15,000 version (effective Aug. 28, 2003): https://revisor.mo.gov/main/PageSelect.aspx?section=513.475&bid=27731 |
| Vehicle exemption | Motor vehicles up to $3,000 in total value through December 31, 2026. Starting January 1, 2027: up to $5,000, plus up to $10,000 of any unused household-goods exemption may be applied to a vehicle. Recently changed. Current version: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/PageSelect.aspx?section=513.430&bid=51255. The household-goods exemption also rises from $3,000 to $15,000 on Jan. 1, 2027. |
| Claiming an exemption | Within 3 days after levying, the sheriff or other officer must tell the debtor about the levy and the exemptions available. The debtor claims an exemption by filing a verified request with the levying officer within 20 days after notice of the levy. If the officer does not act within 5 days, or a party disagrees with the decision, any party may ask the court to review it; the court must hold a hearing within 30 days. Source: RSMo 513.445 |
| Bankruptcy exemptions | Missouri is an opt-out state: debtors in bankruptcy must use Missouri exemptions and non-bankruptcy federal exemptions, not the federal bankruptcy exemption list. Source: RSMo 513.427 |
Debt collectors and interest
| Interest rate limits | Judgments in non-tort cases bear 9% a year, or the contract rate if the contract rate is higher than 9%. The general agreed-interest cap is 10% a year, or a quarterly 'market rate' when that is higher; other laws allow different rates for many consumer loans. 408.030: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=408.030 Source: RSMo 408.040.2; RSMo 408.030 |
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Debt & Collections FAQ
What is the statute of limitations on debt in Missouri?
10 years for an action on a writing that promises to pay money. 5 years for other contract actions, including oral agreements.
How long can a creditor sue on a credit card debt in Missouri?
5 years for contracts, obligations or liabilities, express or implied, other than writings for the payment of money. Whether a credit card account is a 'writing for the payment of money' (10 years) depends on the documents and court decisions.
Does making a payment restart the statute of limitations in Missouri?
For contract debts, an acknowledgment or promise extends or revives the time to sue only if it is in a writing signed by the person who owes the debt.
How long does a court judgment last in Missouri?
A judgment is conclusively presumed paid 10 years after it was entered, unless it was revived (with personal service on the debtor) or a payment was made and entered on the court record, in which case the 10 years run from the revival or last recorded payment.
How much of my wages can be garnished in Missouri?
No more than the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum wage. For a Missouri resident who is head of a family, the limit is 10%. Limits do not apply to support orders, Chapter 13 bankruptcy orders, or tax debts. An employer may not fire a worker over a garnishment for one debt.
How much money in a bank account is protected from creditors in Missouri?
No specific bank account exemption. Bank funds can be protected only through general exemptions: the 'any other property' exemption ($600 through December 31, 2026; $1,700 from January 1, 2027), and for a head of a family, up to $1,250 plus $350 per qualifying dependent child in any property, including debts and wages.
What is the homestead exemption in Missouri?
$15,000 in a dwelling and land used as a homestead, through December 31, 2026. Starting January 1, 2027, the homestead exemption rises to $40,000. Co-owners share one exemption.
Can a creditor take my car in Missouri?
Motor vehicles up to $3,000 in total value through December 31, 2026. Starting January 1, 2027: up to $5,000, plus up to $10,000 of any unused household-goods exemption may be applied to a vehicle.
What is the maximum legal interest rate in Missouri?
Judgments in non-tort cases bear 9% a year, or the contract rate if the contract rate is higher than 9%. The general agreed-interest cap is 10% a year, or a quarterly 'market rate' when that is higher; other laws allow different rates for many consumer loans.
How do I stop a garnishment or claim an exemption in Missouri?
Within 3 days after levying, the sheriff or other officer must tell the debtor about the levy and the exemptions available. The debtor claims an exemption by filing a verified request with the levying officer within 20 days after notice of the levy. If the officer does not act within 5 days, or a party disagrees with the decision, any party may ask the court to review it; the court must hold a hearing within 30 days.
Which bankruptcy exemptions can I use in Missouri?
Missouri is an opt-out state: debtors in bankruptcy must use Missouri exemptions and non-bankruptcy federal exemptions, not the federal bankruptcy exemption list.
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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.