logo_banner
Home menu separator About Us menu separator Services menu separator Rates menu separator Resource Center menu separator Careers menu separator Contact Us
Start Now Recover More!! Call: 713-666-2005 or 1-866-442-3930
  Statute Of Limitation     
 
Collection Agency Laws

The statute of limitations is the time allowed for the creditor to file a lawsuit against the debtor. This does not dismiss the debt and the debtors credit will still reflect this debt for up to 7 years and in some cases the public records can remain for 10 years.

Select your state below for detailed information on state debt recovery laws for interest rates, judgments, statute of limitations, bad check laws and general garnishment exemptions.
Alabama Iowa New Jersey Utah
Alaska Kansas New Mexico Vermont
Arizona Kentucky New York Virginia
Arkansas Louisiana North Carolina Washington
California Maine North Dakota West Virginia
Colorado Maryland Ohio Wisconsin
Connecticut Massachusetts Oklahoma Wyoming
Delaware Michigan Oregon
District Of Columbia Minnesota Pennsylvania
Florida Mississippi Puerto Rico
Georgia Missouri Rhode Island  
Hawaii Montana South Carolina  
Idaho Nebraska South Dakota  
Illinois Nevada Tennessee  
Indiana New Hampshire Texas  
  STATE: ALABAMA  
  INTEREST RATE  
 
  • Legal: 6%
  • Judgment: 12%
 
  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)  
  • Open Acct.: 3
  • Written Contract: 6
  • Domestic Judgment: 20
  • Foreign Judgment: 20
  BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)  
    Greater of $10 or Actual Bank Charges  
  GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS  
    75% of wages are exempt from garnishment  
Go To Top
  STATE: ALASKA  
  INTEREST RATE  
 
  • Legal: 10.5%
  • Judgment: 10.5% or Contractual
 
  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)  
  • Sales Of Goods .: 4
  • Written Contract: 6
  • Domestic Judgment: 10
  • Foreign Judgment: 10
  BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)  
   Damages in amount equal to $100 or triple the amount of the check whichever is greater.
But no more than $1000 over the amount of the check. 		 
  GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS  
   75% of employee's weekly net income or $402.50 whichever is more.  
Go To Top
  STATE: ARIZONA  
  INTEREST RATE  
 
  • Legal: 10%
  • Judgment: 10% or Contractual
 
  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)  
  • Open Act : 3
  • Written Contract: 6 in AZ, 4 outside AZ
  • Domestic Judgment: 5-additional 5 upon request (indefinitely)
  • Foreign Judgment: 4
  BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)  
   Twice the amount of check, costs of suit, reasonable attorney fees.  
  GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS  
    See federal law.  
Go To Top
  STATE: ARKANSAS  
  INTEREST RATE  
 
  • Legal: 6% or 5 points above the Fed. discount rate.
  • Judgment: Contract rate or 10% per annum whichever is greater.
 
  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)  
  • Open Act : 3
  • Written Contract: 5 (partial payment stops the statute from running)
  • Sales Of Goods : (UCC - 2) 4
  • Domestic Judgment: 10 - Renewable
  • Foreign Judgment: 10
  BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)  
   Twice amount of check - prior to double charge - can start out with $15 charge per NSF check after 30 days.  
  GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS  
   $500 head of family; $200 single. Includes personal property except clothing.
 
Go To Top
  STATE: CALIFORNIA  
  INTEREST RATE  
 
  • Legal: 10%
  • Judgment: 10% unless otherwise contracted.
 
  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)  
  • Open Act : Reduced to writing-4
  • Open Acct.: No writing-2
  • Written Contract: 4
  • Domestic Judgment: 10 (renewable at 10)
  • Foreign Judgment: 10 (commencing with judgment debtor's
commencement of CA. residence.)
  BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)  
   Amount due, treble damages - minimum $100 maximum $1500 per check.  
  GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS  
   See federal law. Exemptions for necessities of life.
 
Go To Top
  STATE: COLORADO  
  INTEREST RATE  
 
  • Legal: 8%
  • Judgment: 8% (or higher if specified in contract or note)
 
  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)  
  • Open Act : 3
  • Written Contract 6 (signed promissory note)
  • Written Contract Goods Services: 3
  • Domestic Judgment:

• District Court-20 (renewable every 20)
• County Court-6 (renewable every 6)

  • Foreign Judgment: 6 in CO.
  BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)  
   Amount due, treble damages - minimum $100 maximum $1500 per check.  
  GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS  
   See federal law. Exemptions for necessities of life.
 
Go To Top
  STATE: CONNECTICUT  
  INTEREST RATE  
 
  • Legal: 8%
  • Judgment: 10%
 
  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)  
  • Open Act : 6
  • Written Contract 6
  • Oral Contract: 3
  • Domestic Judgment: 20/25
  • Small Claims Judgment: 10 / 15
  • Foreign Judgment: 20
  BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)  
   Personal liability of signatory on corporate claims unless signed in corporate capacity.  
  GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS  
   25% you may garnish disposable earnings each week, or 40 x fed. min. hourly wage, which ever is less.
STATE: DELAWARE		  
Go To Top
  STATE: DELAWARE  
  INTEREST RATE  
 
  • Legal + Judgment: Federal Reserve Discount Rate Plus 5% Points
 
  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)  
  • Sale Of Goods : 4
  • Open Acct. : 4
  • Written Contract: 3
  • Domestic Judgment: No Provision
  • Foreign Judgment: No Provision
  BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)  
   Amount due, cost of suit, protest fees.  
  GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS  
   85% of disposable earnings or disposable earnings minus $150 weekly according to schedule.  
Go To Top
  STATE: DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA  
  INTEREST RATE  
 
  • Legal : 6%
  • Judgment : 70% of interest rate on taxes to IRS
 
  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)  
  • Open Acct. : 3
  • Written Contract: 3
  • Domestic Judgment: 20
  • Foreign Judgment: Foreign Statute
  BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)  
    Amount Due - Protest Fees.  
  GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS  
   See federal law. D.C. Government employees are not attachable.  
Go To Top
  STATE: FLORIDA  
  INTEREST RATE  
 
  • Legal : 10%
  • Judgment : 10% or up to 18% if contractual
 
  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)  
  • Open Acct. : 4
  • Written Contract : 5
  • Domestic Judgment : 7 Renewable
  • Foreign Judgment : 5 if not recorded instate
  BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)  
   After 30 day demand-treble amount in addition to amount owed, bank & court costs & reasonable attorney fees.  
  GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS  
 

 • See federal law except 100% head of household.

 • Liberal Homestead Exemption - 1st $1,000 of automobile.

 
Go To Top
  STATE: GEORGIA  
  INTEREST RATE  
 
  • Legal : 7%
  • Judgment : 12%
  • Commercial Act : 18%
 
  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)  
  • Open Acct. : 4
  • Written Contract : 6
  • Domestic Judgment : 7
  • Foreign Judgment : 5
  BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)  
   After 10 day written demand double damages up to $500 and service charge of $20 or 5%, whichever is greater.  
  GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS  
   See federal law. City, County & State employees may be garnished.  
Go To Top
  STATE: HAWAII  
  INTEREST RATE  
 
  • Legal : 10% (no written contract)
  • Judgment : 10% (no written contract)
 
  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)  
  • Sales Of Goods : 6
  • Open Acct. : 6
  • Written Contract: 6
  • Domestic Judgment: 10
  • Foreign Judgment: 6 for regis./10 after Regis.
  BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)  
   Damages equal to $100 or triple amount of check, not to exceed $500.  
  GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS  
   95% of 1st $100, 90% of 2nd $100, 80% net wages in excess of $200 per mo. or federal limits whichever is greater.  
Go To Top
  STATE: IDAHO  
  INTEREST RATE  
 
  • Legal : 12%
  • Judgment : 10.875% plus the base rate
 
  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)  
  • Open Acct. : 4
  • Oral Contract : 4
  • Written Contract: 5
  • Domestic Judgment: 5 renewable
  • Foreign Judgment: 6 renewable
  BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)  
   Triple amount of check up to $500 over the check amount.  
  GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS  
   See federal law.  
Go To Top
  STATE: ILLINOIS  
  INTEREST RATE  
 
  • Legal : 5%
  • Judgment : 9%
 
  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)  
  • Sales (UCC): 4
  • Open Acct.: 5
  • Written Contract: 10
  • Domestic Judgment: 20
  • Foreign Judgment: Same as foreign jurisdiction
  BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)  
   Triple check amount up to $500, attorney fees & court costs.  
  GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS  
   15% of gross wages or disposable earnings for workweek up to 45 x fed. min. hourly wage, whichever is greater.  
Go To Top
  STATE: INDIANA  
  INTEREST RATE  
 
  • Legal : 8%
  • Judgment : 8%
 
  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)  
  • Open Acct.: 6
  • Written Contract for payment of money :

(executed before 9/l/82): 10
(executed after 8/31/82): 6
  • Domestic Judgment:

10 on real estate
20 against the person

  • Foreign Judgment: 10
  BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)  
   Triple check amount up to $500 over check amount, + attorney fees & interest up to 18% per annum or triple check amount + attorney fees and interest at 8% per annum.  
  GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS  
   75% of disposable earnings for work week or the amount of 30 x fed. min. hourly wage, whichever is greater.  
Go To Top
  STATE: IOWA  
  INTEREST RATE  
 
  • Legal : 5%
  • Judgment : 10%
 
  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)  
  • Open Acct.: 5
  • Written Contract : 10
  • Domestic Judgment: 10-can be renewed in the 9th year
  • Foreign Judgment: 10-can be renewed in the 9th year
  BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)  
   Triple check up to $500 over check amount.  
  GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS  
   See federal law.  
Go To Top
  STATE: KANSAS  
  INTEREST RATE  
 
  • Legal : 10%
  • Judgment : 12%
 
  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)  
  • Open Acct.: 3
  • Written Contract : 5
  • Domestic Judgment: 5 renewable
  • Foreign Judgment: 5 renewable
  BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)  
   Three times check amount not exceeding the check amount by $500 or $100 whichever is greater plus attorney fees.  
  GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS  
   See Federal Law
Plus other personal property, benefit exemptions, and homestead . 		 
Go To Top
  STATE: KENTUCKY  
  INTEREST RATE  
 
  • Legal : 8%
  • Judgment : 12%
 
  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)  
  • Open Acct.: 5
  • Written Contract : 15
  • Oral Contract : 5
  • Domestic Judgment : 15
  • Foreign Judgment : 15
  BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)  
   N/A.  
  GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS  
   75% of disposable income or 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage (whichever is greater) .  
Go To Top
  STATE: LOUISIANA  
  INTEREST RATE  
 
  • Legal : 9.75%
  • Judgment : 9.75%
 
  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)  
  • Open Acct. : 3
  • Written Contract : 10
  • Promissory Notes : 5
  • Domestic Judgment : 10
  • Foreign Judgment : 10
  BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)  
   After 30 day written demand (certified or registered), twice check amount. Attorney fees & court costs.  
  GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS  
   75% disposable earnings per work week, but not less than 30 x fed. min. hourly wage .  
Go To Top
  STATE: MAINE  
  INTEREST RATE  
 
  • Legal : 8%
  • Judgment : 15% annual (less than $30,000) T-Bill rate over $30,000
 
  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)  
  • Open Acct. : 6
  • Written Contract : 6 + 20 (with attestment)
  • Domestic Judgment : 20
  • Foreign Judgment : 20
  BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)  
   Amount due, court costs, service costs & collection costs.  
  GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS  
   You may garnish 25% of disposable income or 40 times the federal minimum wages per week (whichever is less) After judgment only.  
Go To Top
  STATE: MARYLAND  
  INTEREST RATE  
 
  • Legal : 6%
  • Judgment : 10% or contractual
 
  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)  
  • Open Acct. : 3
  • Written Contract : 3
  • UCC : 4
  • Specialty : 12 (contract under seal)
  • Domestic Judgment : 12
  • Foreign Judgment : 12
  BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)  
   After 30 day written notice, amount due, $25 fee, twice check amount up to $1000. (At the discretion of the court.) Applies to COD sales only.  
  GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS  
   Greater of 75% or amount = to $145 x no. of wks. in which wages due were earned; except in Caroline, Worchester, Kent & Queen Anne's Counties, see federal law. Exemption is up to $3,000 in cash and/or property for non-wage property exemption.  
Go To Top
  STATE: MASSACHUSETTS  
  INTEREST RATE  
 
  • Legal : 6%
  • Judgment : 12%
  • Contract : 12%
 
  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)  
  • Open Acct. On Contract : 6
  • Contract : 6
  • Sales (UCC) Contract : 4
  • Domestic Judgment : 20 (presumed satisfied after 20 years)
  • Foreign Judgment : 20
  • Contracts Under Seal : 20
  BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)  
 

 • Amount due, costs of suit, protest fees.

 • Additional damages $100 - $500 can be assessed.

  
  GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS  
   $125 week .  
Go To Top
  STATE: MICHIGAN  
  INTEREST RATE  
 
  • Legal : 5%
  • Judgment : 7.162% changes semiannually
  • User Limit : 25%
 
  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)  
  • Open Acct. : 6
  • Written Contract : 6
  • Sales (UCC) Contract : 4
  • Domestic Judgment : 10 renewable
  • Foreign Judgment : 10
  BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)  
 

 • Twice the amount of check-not to exceed $500.

 • Retail Claims - Notice Requirements.