The debt statute of limitations is the legal time limit a party has to collect a debt through the court system. After that time a creditor or third party, such as a debt collection law firm, may not sue to enforce the credit agreement. Collecting using traditional methods such as calling or lettering is still allowed. The statute of limitations varies from state to state and by type of debt, and is typically between three and 10 years.

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ACA International Writes to Wall Street Journal to Set Record Straight

2 February 2012

How to Collect on Time-Barred Debt

1 February 2012

Asset Acceptance to Pay $2.5 Million in Settlement with FTC Over Time-Barred Debt

30 January 2012

Debt Collection Compliance and State Chain of Title Requirements

25 January 2012

Setting the Record Straight: Bad Local Press for Collection Agencies

2 November 2011

Would You Sacrifice Out-of-Stat Debt for Open Cell Phone Privileges?

21 September 2011

FDCPA Round Robin: Voices in the Collections Industry Weigh in on Proposed FDCPA Changes

23 August 2011

Tennessee Representative Wants to Amend the FDCPA (and not necessarily in the industry's favor)

20 July 2011

Point-Counterpoint: Looking at What the CFPB Should Do With the Collections Industry

19 July 2011

Debt Collection 2.0: Opening Remarks; "Take my wife, please!"

28 April 2011

State Votes to Lengthen Credit Card Collections Statute of Limitations

24 March 2011

Atradius Collections' International Debt Collections Handbook Reveals Country Differences in Statute of Limitations

1 March 2011

Consumers Union Issues Scathing Report on ARM Industry

3 February 2011

State to Require Collectors to Give More Disclosure on Time-Barred Debt

17 December 2010

Receivables Expiring by Statute of Limitations Cost Businesses Millions

1 December 2010

A Movement is Growing in the ARM Industry, and its Seeds are Discontent

11 November 2010

Man Charged with Running Debt Collection Agency from Prison

26 August 2010

Guest Blog: Let's Drive a Stake through the Heart(lessness) of Old Debt

17 August 2010

An Estimated $1 Billion Worth of Court Awarded Judgments Go Uncollected Each Year Nationwide

22 July 2010

FTC Commissioner Presents Debt Collection Report to ARM Industry

13 July 2010