Minnesota's Statute of Limitations on Debt

Minnesota, like all states, limits how long a creditor or collection agency can come after you for a debt you owe. For most debts, the time limit -- also called the statute of limitations -- is six years. The statute begins to run the day you either don't pay or stop paying money you owe.

A statute of limitations is a legal rule that prohibits a person or business from suing another party after a specific amount of time has passed. Statutes of limitation differ from one state to the next and depend on the type of debt involved. For example, the statute of limitations for credit card debt may be different from the statute of limitations for a mortgage.

Credit card agreements are typically treated as contracts. As a result, your credit card company cannot sue you for an unpaid balance once six or more years have passed since you violated the agreement by not paying the bill. This is because the statute of limitations for contracts in Minnesota is six years. However, you may "toll," or stop, the statute from running if you acknowledge you owe the debt in writing or make a payment toward the debt. If the statute is tolled, your creditor may be able to sue you outside the six year window.

If you are past due or have defaulted on your student loan, the statute of limitations that applies depends on the type of loan you have. There is no statute of limitations for federal student loans; the government can pursue you for repayment forever. In contrast, private student loans are subject to such statutes. Since student loans are treated as contracts, your lender has six years from the date you breached the loan contract to come after you for the debt in Minnesota.

Minnesota does not have a statute of limitations on the collection of past-due child support. The child support enforcement agency will keep the child support case open until the arrearage is paid in full. It may subject you to collection tactics such as income withholding, wage garnishments, seizure of bank accounts and tax refunds and suspension of your driver's license. If your child's other parent gets a judgment against you for the arrearage, the judgment lasts for 10 years and can be renewed for another 10 years if the debt remains unpaid.