Statute of Limitations on Debt in Texas
How long a creditor or collector has to sue you over a debt in Texas, and whether a payment restarts the clock.
Short answer: 4 years. A suit on a debt must be brought within four years after the claim accrues; the residual period for claims with no other stated period is also four years. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 16.004(a)(3), 16.051
| Time limit to sue on a written contract | 4 years. A suit on a debt must be brought within four years after the claim accrues; the residual period for claims with no other stated period is also four years. |
|---|---|
| Time limit for credit cards and open accounts | 4 years, the same as other debts, whether the agreement is written or oral. |
| Can a payment restart the clock? | An acknowledgment of a debt that appears time-barred counts only if it is in writing and signed by the debtor. For consumer debt owned by a debt buyer, once the 4-year period has run the debt buyer may not sue or arbitrate, and the claim is not revived by a payment, an oral or written reaffirmation, or any other activity on the debt. Acknowledgment rule: https://tcss.legis.texas.gov/resources/CP/htm/CP.16.htm |
Where to get help in Texas
More Texas debt & collections
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FAQ
What is the statute of limitations on debt in Texas?
4 years. A suit on a debt must be brought within four years after the claim accrues; the residual period for claims with no other stated period is also four years.
How long can a creditor sue on a credit card debt in Texas?
4 years, the same as other debts, whether the agreement is written or oral.
Does making a payment restart the statute of limitations in Texas?
An acknowledgment of a debt that appears time-barred counts only if it is in writing and signed by the debtor. For consumer debt owned by a debt buyer, once the 4-year period has run the debt buyer may not sue or arbitrate, and the claim is not revived by a payment, an oral or written reaffirmation, or any other activity on the debt.
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.