If you’re being chased by an old creditor, it’s important to know the statute of limitations in your state
If you’re struggling to repay an old debt from Washington State, you may be wondering if the statute of limits has expired. Read on to find out if your responsibility to repay the debt is over.
- BBB Accredited A+ Rating
- $7,500 Minimum Tax Debt
- Money Back Guarantee
- You only pay if taxes are reduced
- Licensed in all 50 states
We all have skeletons in our closets that we hope will never see the light of day. Whether it’s an old flame or an unpaid debt, these past mistakes can come back to haunt us. If you’re being sued over a debt in Washington state, here’s what you need to know.
This will determine whether or not they can sue you. Keep in mind that if you made a payment after defaulting, you may have reset the clock. Let’s take a closer look at Washington’s statute of limitations laws and see what you can do to stop the creditor from coming after you.
What You Need to Know about the Statute of Limitations
It is important to be aware of the statute of limitations when it comes to debt. This is the amount of time that a creditor has to file a lawsuit in order to collect what is owed. If they do not take legal action within this timeframe, they are no longer able to receive a court-ordered judgment for the debt. However, this does not mean that creditors will stop contacting you about repayment; they may still call or send letters requesting payment.
The statute of limitations on debts can vary depending on the type of debt and the state in which it originated. Even if you have moved to a new state, it is important to find out the statute of limitations laws for the state where the debt originated. This will ensure that you are aware of your rights and obligations regarding the debt.
The Different Categories of Debts in Washington
There are seven types of debt in Washington state, each with a different time period during which a creditor can file a collection lawsuit. This time period is known as the statute of limitations.
The statute of limitations is the time frame in which a creditor can file a lawsuit for unpaid debt. If you think the statute of limitations on your debt has expired, you’re going to want to file a response.
There are many different types of debts that you may come across, and each one has a different time frame for when a creditor can file a collection lawsuit.
Written Contracts (6 years)
There are many different types of debt, but one of the most common is a written contract. This can encompass a wide range of agreements, such as medical debt. These signed agreements lay out the nature of the debt and how much is owed, as well as when the debt first began. The creditor has six years from that date to file a collection lawsuit if you don’t make payment.
Unwritten, Implied Contracts, Oral Agreements (3 years)
A contract does not need to be physically signed to be valid. Verbal or implied agreements are just as binding as written contracts, but the statute of limitations for debt collection is only three years. This means that creditors have three years from the date of your last payment to file a lawsuit.
Auto Loan (4 years)
Different types of debt have different statutes of limitations. For example, in the state of Washington, creditors only have four years from the date of default to sue for an auto loan debt.
State Tax Debt (4 years)
The statute of limitations for tax debt in Washington state is four years. This means that if you owe back taxes, the creditor has four years from the date of default to file a collection lawsuit.
Credit Cards (6 years)
The state of Washington has a six-year statute of limitations on credit card debt. This means that creditors have six years to file a collection lawsuit against debtors in case of an outstanding balance on the card.
Open Accounts (6 years)
An open account is a type of debt that refers to money that you owe to someone else. This could be for services that they have provided, or it could be a line of credit that you have with them. Often, an open account is referring to an outstanding payment to a vendor or contractor. The statute of limitations in this category is six years for the creditor to file a collection lawsuit against the debtor.
Recovery of Property and Judgments (10 years)
The statute of limitations for creditors to take legal action against debtors in the state of Washington is 10 years from the date the judgment is entered. This applies to bonds or recognizances, and also to any property seized as a result of the debt.
What You Need to Do With A Time-Barred Debt
If you’re facing a lawsuit from a debt collector, the first thing you need to do is figure out if the debt is time-barred. This means that the period of time defined by the statute of limitations has expired. If the creditor files the lawsuit outside of this timeframe, it won’t be legally enforceable.
Despite what you may think, a time-barred debt is not forgiven. You are still liable for the amount agreed upon in your contract with the creditor. All this means is that a court cannot get involved to enforce payment. The creditor can, and most likely will, continue to try and contact you about the debt.
If you are being sued by a creditor for a debt that you believe is too old to be collected, it is important to let the court know that Washington’s statute of limitations has expired. You can do this by filing an official answer.
Tolling Affects the Statutes of Limitations?
When trying to decide if your debt is time-barred, it is important to understand the concept of tolling. This pauses the clock during the prescriptive period. Tolling occurs when you request more time to pay your debt, or if you start making payments again after a default.
If you fall behind on credit card payments, the creditor has six years to file a collection lawsuit. However, if you start making small payments again, the timer stops. If you stop making payments once more, the six-year clock starts over from the beginning.
If you’re constantly harassed by debt collectors for debts that are years old, it can be extremely frustrating. However, with the right information, you can quickly assess the status of your debt in Washington and take steps to fight your collection lawsuit. With this guide, you can put an end to the harassment and get on with your life.
Clearone Advantage, Credit Associates, Credit 9, Americor Funding, Tripoint Lending, Lendvia, Simple Path Financial, New Start Capital, Point Break Financial, Sagemore Financial, Money Ladder, Advantage Preferred Financial, LoanQuo, Apply.Credit9, Mobilend
