What is the statute of limitations on debt in Massachusetts?
6 years (written contract)
How long a creditor or collector has to SUE you on the debt — from your last payment or default.
Governing statute (written contract): Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260 § 2. Verified: 2026-06-22. Oral and open-account debts may carry a different period.
⚠ Don't restart the clockMaking a payment, promising to pay, or even acknowledging an old debt in writing can RESET the statute of limitations to zero — turning 'time-barred' debt a collector cannot win on back into a fully suable debt. Before paying or signing anything on an old debt, confirm whether the clock has already run.
What this means
In Massachusetts, a creditor generally has 6 years to file suit on a written-contract debt (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260 § 2). The clock typically runs from your last payment or the date of default. After it runs, the debt is "time-barred" — a collector can still ask you to pay, but usually cannot win a lawsuit if you raise the statute of limitations as a defense.
How long can a creditor sue me for an old debt in Massachusetts?
About 6 years on a written contract (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260 § 2), from your last payment or default.
Can making a payment restart the clock?
Yes — a payment, a promise to pay, or a written acknowledgment can reset the statute of limitations and revive a time-barred debt. Confirm before you pay.
Don't risk your deadline
Missing the statute of limitations usually ends your case permanently. Talk to a debt attorney—most offer a free consultation.
Not legal advice. This page is informational only and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney. Statutes of limitations are subject to many exceptions — tolling, the discovery rule, minority (under-18) and incapacity rules, government notice-of-claim deadlines (often far shorter), and statutes of repose — any of which can shorten or lengthen the deadline in your specific case. The governing statute citation and the date it was verified are shown above so you can confirm the current text yourself. Never rely on this page to decide whether you can or cannot sue. Consult a licensed attorney in your state before your deadline.