Statute of Limitations on Debt in Missouri
In Missouri, a lawsuit on a written contract must generally be brought within 10 years. These periods come from Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 516.110, 516.120.
A limitation period limits how long someone has to file a lawsuit. It does not erase the debt, and it is not the same as the seven-year credit-reporting window.
Missouri limitation periods at a glance
| Type of obligation | Time limit to sue |
|---|---|
| Written contractSigned agreements and most loan documents | 10 years |
| Oral / unwritten contractVerbal agreements with no signed document | 5 years |
| Open / revolving accountThe category most credit-card debt falls under | 5 years |
| Promissory noteA written promise to pay a fixed sum | 10 years |
Source: Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 516.110, 516.120. Read the statute directly: official text. Where a row reads “not separately specified,” the Missouri code does not enumerate that category separately and the general contract period applies. We leave it blank rather than publish a number the statute does not state.
What makes Missouri different
Missouri's § 516.110 gives ten years to an action on a writing for the payment of money or property, while § 516.120 gives five years to other contract actions and open accounts. The ten-year track is reserved specifically for writings promising payment of money — a narrower description than the general written-contract language most states use, which makes the exact nature of the document unusually important in Missouri.
Careful: a payment can restart the clock
Missouri allows a payment or written acknowledgement to restart the limitation period, and § 516.320 addresses the effect of a written promise on reviving a barred claim.
This is why a small “good faith” payment on a very old account can work against you. In many states a payment, or a written acknowledgement that the debt is yours, can start the limitation period over from that date. Before paying anything on an old account, confirm how old the debt actually is and which rule applies in Missouri.
The statute of limitations is not the credit-reporting period
These two clocks get confused constantly, and the confusion is expensive in both directions. They are separate rules, set by different law, running for different lengths of time.
Statute of limitations — Missouri law
Set by Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 516.110, 516.120. It limits how long a creditor or collector has to file a lawsuit over the debt. When it expires the debt is called time-barred. The debt still exists; what changes is the ability to enforce it in court.
Credit reporting — federal law
Set by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681c. It generally allows most negative accounts to be reported for up to seven years, measured from the original delinquency. It applies the same way in all fifty states.
So in Missouri a debt can be legally unsuable and still sit on your credit report, and a debt can be reportable long after the lawsuit window has closed. If a collection account is being reported with a delinquency date that looks newer than it should, that is a separate and disputable reporting problem — see our directory of collection agencies for who may be reporting it.
Missouri debt statute of limitations: common questions
What is the statute of limitations on debt in Missouri?
In Missouri the limitation period for a written contract is 10 years and for an oral contract 5 years, under Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 516.110, 516.120. The limitation period controls how long a creditor or collector has to file a lawsuit — it is not a deadline for the debt to disappear.
Does the statute of limitations mean the debt comes off my credit report in 10 years?
No, and this is the single most common misunderstanding on this topic. The statute of limitations is a limit on filing a lawsuit. Credit reporting is governed separately by the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681c), which generally allows most negative accounts to be reported for up to seven years. The two periods are different lengths and start from different events, so in Missouri a debt can be past the limitation period and still appear on your credit report, and a debt can still be reportable long after nobody can sue over it.
Can making a payment restart the clock in Missouri?
Missouri allows a payment or written acknowledgement to restart the limitation period, and § 516.320 addresses the effect of a written promise on reviving a barred claim. Because the consequences are significant, it is worth understanding the rule before making a payment, signing anything, or acknowledging an old account in writing.
Can a collector still contact me about a time-barred debt in Missouri?
Generally yes. A debt that is past the limitation period is usually called "time-barred," and in most circumstances a collector may still ask you to pay it — it is the lawsuit that the statute restricts. What a collector may not do is mislead you about the debt's status or threaten a lawsuit it cannot legally bring. The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act applies, and Missouri consumers also have the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau complaint process available.
What should I do if I am sued over an old debt in Missouri?
Do not ignore it. A limitation defence is generally not automatic — in most courts it must be raised, and failing to respond can result in a default judgment even on a debt that was time-barred. If you are served with a lawsuit, respond within the deadline on the papers and consider speaking with a licensed Missouri attorney. Nothing on this page is legal advice.
How do I know which limitation period applies to my Missouri debt?
It depends on how the obligation is documented. Missouri treats a signed written contract (10 years) differently from an unwritten one (5 years), and open or revolving accounts are addressed at 5 years. The start date also matters: the period generally runs from the point the claim accrued, which is commonly tied to the last activity on the account. The exact category of a specific debt is a legal question.
Compare other states
Written-contract periods among the states we have verified against their own statutes range from 3 to 10 years. Which state’s law applies can depend on where you live, where you signed, and what the agreement says.
Important. This page summarises publicly available Missouri statutory law for general information. It is not legal advice, and it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Limitation periods are amended by legislatures, interpreted by courts, and can turn on facts specific to one account — including which state’s law applies. Crowned Credit is a credit-repair organisation, not a law firm, and does not provide legal representation. For advice about a specific debt or lawsuit, consult a licensed attorney in Missouri.
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