Virginia Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection

The statute of limitations is an established rule that sets a time limit within which a creditor is able to sue you for payment of a debt. The amount of time that a creditor has to sue you is different for each state and if the time that is allowed by your state has passed, a creditor is unable to sue you for the debt. Before a consumer agrees to pay off their debt, they should check what the statute of limitations is for their state to ensure that the debt is still due and payable. In Virginia:

• Domestic judgments or those obtained in a Virginia court: 10 years
  • May be extended for up to 20 years
• Foreign judgments or any judgment of a court where the debt did not originally occur: 10 years
  • May not be renewed or extended
• Open accounts: 3 years
• Written contract (non-Uniform Commercial Code): 5 years

If you want to get any more information or if you have questions about the Statute of Limitations in Virginia, contact The Consumer Advocacy Center at 312-782-5808.