Civil Statutes of Limitations

Know the time limits for filing a lawsuit (statutes of limitations) in your state.

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• We provide this chart as a rough guide. Check your state's actual statute of limitations for the time limit for your specific claim, because it might be different than what you read here. Also, you might have a claim that isn't listed below or grounds for a different or an additional claim—with a different statute of limitations—than what you thought. For instance, time limits for filing a lawsuit to recover a bad debt are often shorter than the time limits for filing a lawsuit for breaches of other types of contracts. And not all states include mortgages in the statute of limitations for written contracts. Your state might have a separate law and filing period for a mortgage breach or any number of distinct lawsuits.
• You'll need to understand how a statute of limitations works. Looking at the actual law will help you determine when the statute of limitations begins to run, the events that delay or "toll" the limitations period, and any other periods that can cut off the ability to sue. Also, keep in mind that court rulings can determine the way that the statutes apply—and even make them unenforceable.
• Special rules apply to government entities. The filing period might be different for an action against the government. Specifically, it's likely that you'll have to file an administrative action and obtain permission to sue before filing a civil suit. Failing to take these steps within the statute of limitations period will result in you losing your ability to litigate the case.

The rules and procedures in this area are complex, and the consequences for failing to follow them are harsh—you'll lose the right to pursue your action. When in doubt, seek legal counsel. An experienced lawyer should be able to explain the relevant legal issues, including tricky points like whether a limitations period has been affected by special rules related to COVID-19.

Statutes of Limitations for All 50 States (and the District of Columbia)

Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 312 et seq.