Question

Is there a statute of limitations on collecting a debt?

Answer 1

A debt collector can try to collect the debt for as long as they want but there is a statue of limitations of 7 years in which the debt collector is unable to sue you for the debt.

After the 7 years has passed the debt collector is unable to take you to court to sue and force you to pay back the debt.

That is unless you make contact with the debt collector and try to make payment arrangements with the debt collection agency then the clocks starts once again and they can pursue the debt again.

If you're unable to pay the debt collector any money or know you can't pay the debt off the best thing to do is to not answer the phone or respond to any debt collection letters and let the 7 years pass.

After 7 years the debt collector is unable to sue you for your debt owed to them.

Answer 2

Debts do have a statute of limitation which is in most places 7 years.

That means that after 7 years the debt collector can no longer sue you or take you to court for the debt.

They might still try to collect the debt by calling you, sending you debt collector letters etc but you cannot be forced to pay the debt after 7 years.