How long do you have to sue? Every state
Each state sets a deadline, the statute of limitations, for filing a lawsuit. Miss it and the case is usually lost. Here are the main deadlines in each state, each linked to the statute.
This site is growing. New records are added every day once they are checked against official sources. 29 states published so far.
| Written contract | Property damage | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2 years | 6 years for actions founded on promises in writing not under seal (Code of Ala. 6-2-34(4)) | 6 years for any trespass to real or personal property, and for detention or conversion of |
| Alaska | 2 years | 3 years for an action upon a contract or liability, express or implied, with exceptions (A | 2 years for taking, detaining or injuring personal property (AS 09.10.070(a)). 6 years for |
| Arizona | 2 years | 6 years on a debt founded on a written contract executed in Arizona (A.R.S. 12-548(A)(1)). | 2 years for trespass damaging the estate or property of another, or for taking or converti |
| Arkansas | 3 years | 5 years for actions to enforce written obligations, duties or rights, with an exception (A | 3 years for trespass on lands and for taking or injuring any goods or chattels (Ark. Code |
| California | 2 years | 4 years on a contract founded upon an instrument in writing (Code Civ. Proc. 337(a)). | 3 years for trespass upon or injury to real property, or for taking, detaining or injuring |
| Colorado | 2 years | 3 years for all contract actions, with exceptions in other sections (C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(a | 3 years for property damage from use or operation of a motor vehicle (C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)( |
| Connecticut | 2 years | 6 years for an action on any contract in writing, with exceptions (Conn. Gen. Stat. 52-576 | The same 52-584 limits apply to injury to real or personal property caused by negligence. |
| Delaware | 2 years | 3 years for an action based on a promise (10 Del. C. 8106(a)). | 2 years for injury to personal property (10 Del. C. 8107). 3 years for trespass (10 Del. C |
| Florida | 2 years | 5 years on a contract, obligation or liability founded on a written instrument (Fla. Stat. | 4 years for trespass on real property or for taking, detaining or injuring personal proper |
| Georgia | 2 years | 6 years after a simple written contract becomes due and payable (O.C.G.A. 9-3-24). | |
| Hawaii | 2 years | 6 years for recovery of any debt founded upon any contract, obligation or liability, with | 2 years for damage or injury to property (HRS 657-7). 6 years for taking or detaining any |
| Illinois | 2 years | ||
| Indiana | 2 years | 10 years on written contracts other than those for the payment of money (IC 34-11-2-11(a)) | 2 years for injury to personal property (IC 34-11-2-4). 6 years for injuries to other prop |
| Maryland | 3 years | 3 years under the general rule, unless another Code provision sets a different period (Cts | 3 years under the general rule for civil actions at law (Cts. and Jud. Proc. 5-101). |
| Massachusetts | 3 years | 6 years on contracts or liabilities, express or implied, other than those to recover for p | 3 years for actions of tort and replevin (G.L. c. 260, s. 2A). |
| Michigan | 3 years | 6 years for breach of contract not described elsewhere in the section (MCL 600.5807(9)). | |
| Missouri | 5 years | 10 years on any writing for the payment of money or property (RSMo 516.110(1)). Other cont | 5 years for trespass on real estate, or for taking, detaining or injuring goods (RSMo 516. |
| New Jersey | 2 years | 6 years on a contractual claim or liability, express or implied, not under seal (N.J.S.A. | 6 years for trespass to real property or tortious injury to real or personal property (N.J |
| New York | 3 years | 6 years on a contractual obligation or liability, express or implied (CPLR 213(2)). | 3 years to recover damages for an injury to property (CPLR 214(4)). |
| North Carolina | 3 years | 3 years on a contract, obligation or liability arising out of a contract, express or impli | 3 years for taking, detaining, converting or injuring goods or chattels (G.S. 1-52(4)). |
| Ohio | 2 years | 6 years on an agreement, contract or promise in writing (R.C. 2305.06). | 2 years for injuring personal property (R.C. 2305.10(A)). |
| Oregon | 2 years | 6 years on a contract or liability, express or implied, with listed exceptions (ORS 12.080 | 6 years for taking, detaining or injuring personal property (ORS 12.080(4)). |
| Pennsylvania | 2 years | 4 years on a contract, obligation or liability founded upon a writing (42 Pa.C.S. 5525(a)( | 2 years for taking, detaining or injuring personal property, and for waste or trespass on |
| South Carolina | 3 years | 3 years on a contract, obligation or liability, express or implied, except those in 15-3-5 | 3 years for trespass on or damage to real property, or taking or injuring goods (S.C. Code |
| Tennessee | 1 years | 6 years on contracts not otherwise expressly provided for (Tenn. Code 28-3-109(a)). | 3 years for injuries to personal or real property (Tenn. Code 28-3-105(1)). |
| Texas | 2 years | 2 years for trespass for injury to the estate or property of another, and for conversion o | |
| Virginia | 2 years | 5 years on a written and signed contract (Va. Code 8.01-246(A)(2)). | 5 years after the cause of action accrues (Va. Code 8.01-243(B)). |
| Washington | 3 years | 6 years on a contract in writing, or liability arising out of a written agreement (RCW 4.1 | 3 years for waste or trespass on real property, or for taking, detaining or injuring perso |
| Wisconsin | 3 years | 6 years on any contract, obligation or liability, express or implied (Wis. Stat. 893.43(1) |
Being confirmed
We publish a record only once its key fact is confirmed from an official source. In progress:
- District of Columbia
- Minnesota