Oklahoma Debt Collection Laws: Time Limits, Garnishment and Your Rights
Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma
- Time limit to sue on a written contract
- 5 years for an action on a contract, agreement or promise in writing. 12 O.S. 95(A)(1)
- Wage garnishment limit
- 75% of earnings for personal services earned during the last 90 days is exempt, so at most 25% can be garnished for ordinary debts (the federal 30-times-minimum-wage floor also applies). 31 O.S. 1(A)(18); 31 O.S. 1.1; 12 O.S. 1171.1
- Money protected in a bank account
- No general bank account exemption in the Oklahoma exemption statute. Specific funds, such as Social Security and other public assistance, keep their exemptions, and the garnishment notice tells the debtor how to claim them. 31 O.S. 1; 12 O.S. 1174(C)
- Answering a debt lawsuit
- Serve an answer within 20 days after you are served with the summons and petition. A defendant may file a reservation of time, which extends the deadline by 20 days but waives certain defenses. 12 O.S. 2012(A)
Last verified: 2026-10-26
Time limits
| Time limit to sue on a written contract | 5 years for an action on a contract, agreement or promise in writing. Source: 12 O.S. 95(A)(1) |
|---|---|
| Time limit for credit cards and open accounts | 3 years for a contract, express or implied, that is not in writing (including oral agreements). Oklahoma has no separate statute for credit card or open accounts; which period applies depends on whether the agreement is a written contract. Source: 12 O.S. 95(A)(2) |
| Can a payment restart the clock? | Yes. In a contract case, if any part of the principal or interest is paid, or the debtor acknowledges the debt or promises to pay it, a new full limitations period runs from that payment, acknowledgment or promise. An acknowledgment or promise must be in writing and signed by the debtor. Source: 12 O.S. 101 |
| How long a judgment lasts | A judgment becomes unenforceable if, within 5 years after it is filed (and within each later 5-year period), the creditor does not issue and file an execution, file a notice of renewal of judgment, have a garnishment summons issued, or send a notice of income assignment. Doing any of these keeps it alive for another 5 years. Source: 12 O.S. 735 |
If you are sued
| Answering a debt lawsuit | Serve an answer within 20 days after you are served with the summons and petition. A defendant may file a reservation of time, which extends the deadline by 20 days but waives certain defenses. The plaintiff may elect a 35-day answer period, which will be stated in the summons. Source: 12 O.S. 2012(A) |
|---|
Garnishment and what creditors can't take
| Wage garnishment limit | 75% of earnings for personal services earned during the last 90 days is exempt, so at most 25% can be garnished for ordinary debts (the federal 30-times-minimum-wage floor also applies). A debtor who supports a family or other dependents may ask the court for a hearing to exempt more of their earnings because of undue hardship. |
|---|---|
| Money protected in a bank account | No general bank account exemption in the Oklahoma exemption statute. Specific funds, such as Social Security and other public assistance, keep their exemptions, and the garnishment notice tells the debtor how to claim them. Source: 31 O.S. 1; 12 O.S. 1174(C) |
| Homestead exemption | No dollar cap on a principal residence used only as a home: up to 1 acre inside a city or town, or up to 160 acres outside a city or town. If more than 25% of the home's square footage is used for business, the exemption is limited to $5,000. Source: 31 O.S. 1(A)(1); 31 O.S. 2 |
| Vehicle exemption | Up to $7,500 in value in one motor vehicle. Source: 31 O.S. 1(A)(13) |
| Claiming an exemption | In a post-judgment garnishment, the court clerk attaches a notice (on a form prescribed by the Oklahoma Bar Association) explaining possible exemptions. File the claim for exemption and request for hearing with the court clerk within 5 days after receiving the notice; later claims must be made by motion. A debtor supporting dependents may also apply for a hardship hearing on wages. The statute says the Administrative Office of the Courts posts the notice and claim forms on OSCN. Source: 12 O.S. 1174(C)-(D); 31 O.S. 1.1 |
| Bankruptcy exemptions | Oklahoma has opted out of the federal bankruptcy exemptions; residents must use Oklahoma exemptions. Source: 31 O.S. 1(B) |
Debt collectors and interest
| Medical debt protections | A creditor or collector suing on a medical debt must attach a redacted itemization of the charges and proof of compliance with hospital price transparency laws. Before a default judgment on a medical debt, the plaintiff must file evidence of the debt, including the original creditor and account number at charge-off, the amount due, an itemization of later additions, the date of last payment or transaction, and price-transparency compliance. Effective November 1, 2024. Source: 12 O.S. 193 |
|---|---|
| Interest rate limits | Post-judgment interest is the prime rate in the first Wall Street Journal of the calendar year (certified to the Administrative Director of the Courts each January) plus 2%. Source: 12 O.S. 727.1(I) |
Where to get help in Oklahoma
Debt & Collections FAQ
What is the statute of limitations on debt in Oklahoma?
5 years for an action on a contract, agreement or promise in writing.
How long can a creditor sue on a credit card debt in Oklahoma?
3 years for a contract, express or implied, that is not in writing (including oral agreements). Oklahoma has no separate statute for credit card or open accounts; which period applies depends on whether the agreement is a written contract.
Does making a payment restart the statute of limitations in Oklahoma?
Yes. In a contract case, if any part of the principal or interest is paid, or the debtor acknowledges the debt or promises to pay it, a new full limitations period runs from that payment, acknowledgment or promise. An acknowledgment or promise must be in writing and signed by the debtor.
How long does a court judgment last in Oklahoma?
A judgment becomes unenforceable if, within 5 years after it is filed (and within each later 5-year period), the creditor does not issue and file an execution, file a notice of renewal of judgment, have a garnishment summons issued, or send a notice of income assignment. Doing any of these keeps it alive for another 5 years.
How much of my wages can be garnished in Oklahoma?
75% of earnings for personal services earned during the last 90 days is exempt, so at most 25% can be garnished for ordinary debts (the federal 30-times-minimum-wage floor also applies). A debtor who supports a family or other dependents may ask the court for a hearing to exempt more of their earnings because of undue hardship.
How much money in a bank account is protected from creditors in Oklahoma?
No general bank account exemption in the Oklahoma exemption statute. Specific funds, such as Social Security and other public assistance, keep their exemptions, and the garnishment notice tells the debtor how to claim them.
What is the homestead exemption in Oklahoma?
No dollar cap on a principal residence used only as a home: up to 1 acre inside a city or town, or up to 160 acres outside a city or town. If more than 25% of the home's square footage is used for business, the exemption is limited to $5,000.
Can a creditor take my car in Oklahoma?
Up to $7,500 in value in one motor vehicle.
What protections apply to medical debt in Oklahoma?
A creditor or collector suing on a medical debt must attach a redacted itemization of the charges and proof of compliance with hospital price transparency laws. Before a default judgment on a medical debt, the plaintiff must file evidence of the debt, including the original creditor and account number at charge-off, the amount due, an itemization of later additions, the date of last payment or transaction, and price-transparency compliance. Effective November 1, 2024.
What is the maximum legal interest rate in Oklahoma?
Post-judgment interest is the prime rate in the first Wall Street Journal of the calendar year (certified to the Administrative Director of the Courts each January) plus 2%.
How do I respond to a debt collection lawsuit in Oklahoma?
Serve an answer within 20 days after you are served with the summons and petition. A defendant may file a reservation of time, which extends the deadline by 20 days but waives certain defenses. The plaintiff may elect a 35-day answer period, which will be stated in the summons.
How do I stop a garnishment or claim an exemption in Oklahoma?
In a post-judgment garnishment, the court clerk attaches a notice (on a form prescribed by the Oklahoma Bar Association) explaining possible exemptions. File the claim for exemption and request for hearing with the court clerk within 5 days after receiving the notice; later claims must be made by motion. A debtor supporting dependents may also apply for a hardship hearing on wages.
Which bankruptcy exemptions can I use in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma has opted out of the federal bankruptcy exemptions; residents must use Oklahoma exemptions.
Debt & Collections in other states
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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.