Statute of Limitations on Debt in Indiana (2026): The 6-Year Rule
Last updated 07/30/2026 by
Andrew Latham
Edited by
Andrew Latham
Summary:
The statute of limitations on debt in Indiana is six years for credit card debt and written contracts for the payment of money, measured from your last payment.
A longer limit applies only to written contracts that are not about money.
- Credit cards and accounts: Six years under Indiana Code 34-11-2-9.
- Written contracts for money: Six years under the same statute.
- Non-money written contracts: Ten years under Indiana Code 34-11-2-11.
Indiana’s ten-year figure gets misapplied to credit cards, but it was never meant for them.
For the debt most people carry, the deadline is six years.
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What is the statute of limitations on debt in Indiana
Indiana gives creditors and collectors six years to sue on credit card debt and written contracts for the payment of money, set by Indiana Code 34-11-2-9.
A ten-year limit exists under Indiana Code 34-11-2-11, but it applies to written contracts that are not for the payment of money, such as real estate agreements, not to consumer debt. Once six years pass from your last payment, credit card debt is time-barred and a collector cannot win a lawsuit to force payment.
The debt still exists after six years. You continue to owe it, but the legal power to sue over it is gone.
Indiana statute of limitations by debt type
The limit that applies depends on whether the written contract is for the payment of money.
| Debt type | Time limit | Indiana statute |
|---|---|---|
| Credit card / account | 6 years | Ind. Code 34-11-2-9 |
| Written contract for money | 6 years | Ind. Code 34-11-2-9 |
| Oral or unwritten account | 6 years | Ind. Code 34-11-2-7 |
| Written contract not for money | 10 years | Ind. Code 34-11-2-11 |
Why credit card debt is six years, not ten
Credit card debt in Indiana falls under the six-year limit because the core obligation is paying money, which places it under Indiana Code 34-11-2-9.
Collectors sometimes cite the ten-year limit in Indiana Code 34-11-2-11 to make old card debt look enforceable, but that statute covers written contracts other than those for the payment of money.
For a credit card, personal loan, or account balance, six years is the working deadline.
When the clock starts in Indiana
The clock starts on the date of your last payment or last account activity, not the day you opened the account.
If you made your final credit card payment in April 2021, the six-year window would generally close around April 2027.
Pro Tip: In Indiana, making a payment on an old debt can restart the six-year clock from zero under Indiana Code 34-11-3-1.
Before you respond to a collector, pull your credit report and confirm the date of last payment. A single partial payment can hand the collector a fresh six-year window to sue.
Time-barred debt and your Indiana credit report
The six-year lawsuit limit is separate from credit reporting. Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, most negative debts stay on your report for seven years from the first delinquency.
An Indiana credit card debt can be time-barred for suing after six years yet remain on your credit report for one more.
Key takeaways
- Indiana allows six years to sue on credit card debt and written contracts for money, under Indiana Code 34-11-2-9.
- The ten-year limit under 34-11-2-11 applies only to non-money written contracts, not consumer debt.
- The clock starts on your last payment or account activity.
- A payment can restart the six-year clock from zero.
- Time-barred debt can still appear on your credit report for up to seven years.
Frequently asked questions
What is the statute of limitations on credit card debt in Indiana?
Six years. Credit card debt falls under Indiana Code 34-11-2-9 as a written contract for the payment of money, running from your last payment. After six years the debt is time-barred and a collector cannot win a lawsuit over it.
Is credit card debt subject to Indiana’s ten-year limit?
No. The ten-year limit in Indiana Code 34-11-2-11 covers written contracts that are not for the payment of money. Credit card debt is a money obligation, so the six-year limit applies.
Can a debt collector still contact me after six years in Indiana?
Yes. The statute of limitations only bars lawsuits, not contact. A collector can still ask you to pay, but under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act they cannot sue or threaten to sue over a time-barred debt.
If old balances are piling up, comparing structured debt relief options can consolidate several collector accounts into one negotiated plan.
Related reading
- Statute of limitations on debt in Illinois: a ten-year written-contract limit and a five-year open-account limit.
- Statute of limitations on debt in Georgia: a six-year credit card limit set by case law.
- Statute of limitations on debt in Arizona: a six-year credit card limit under the Mertola ruling.
- Statute of limitations on debt in Missouri: a five-year card limit, ten years if backed by a written note.
- Statute of limitations on debt in Maryland: a three-year limit, twelve years for debts under seal.
Andrew is the Content Director for SuperMoney, a Certified Financial Planner®, and a Certified Personal Finance Counselor. He loves to geek out on financial data and translate it into actionable insights everyone can understand. His work is often cited by major publications and institutions, such as Forbes, U.S. News, Fox Business, SFGate, Realtor, Deloitte, and Business Insider.
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