Michigan Statute of Limitations on Debt: What You Need to Know
Michigan's statute of limitations gives creditors six years to sue for most debts. You must still respond to lawsuits even for time-barred debt to avoid default judgments. Never acknowledge old debt or make partial payments, as these actions reset the statute.
Answer Your LawsuitDebt collectors use aggressive tactics to recover money from you. They file lawsuits, make frequent calls, and send threatening letters.
You have rights under Michigan law. Understanding these protections helps you fight back against invalid collection attempts.
Respond to Your Michigan Debt Lawsuit in Minutes
Creditors are counting on you to ignore the summons. Fight back with a proper answer before the deadline expires and protect yourself from a default judgment.
File Your Answer NowBefore you respond to any debt lawsuit, check if the case is time-barred. A time-barred lawsuit means the statute of limitations has expired. Creditors have no legal right to sue you for time-barred debt.
Our partner Solo can help you respond to debt collectors fast.
Michigan Statute of Limitations on Debt
Some creditors knowingly pursue old, time-barred debts. You can use the expired statute of limitations as your defense.
Michigan sets the statute of limitations at six years for most debts.
| Michigan Statute of Limitations on Debt | |
| Debt Type | Deadline in Years |
| Rent | 6 |
| Written Contract | 6 |
| Oral Contract | 6 |
| Debt on Account | 6 |
| Judgments | 10 (recorded), 6 (unrecorded) |
The six-year statute covers these contract types:
- Oral contracts
- Written contracts
- Open-ended credit accounts
- Promissory notes
Creditors cannot take legal action after six years pass. They can still call you or report to credit bureaus. They cannot seek a court judgment against you.
Michigan Sales Contracts Have Different Rules
Sales contracts carry a four-year statute of limitations in Michigan. These contracts involve purchasing a product with borrowed money. The purchased product serves as collateral for the loan.
Creditors have only four years after default to file suit.
How the Statute of Limitations Restarts
Three scenarios can restart the statute of limitations in Michigan.
Creditor Wins a Judgment Against You
The statute of limitations doesn’t apply after a creditor wins a judgment. A judgment carries a ten-year statute of limitations.
Michigan law allows creditors to garnish wages almost indefinitely. They renew judgments every decade to keep liens alive.
Always file a response when you receive a lawsuit summons. Filing prevents default judgments even if the statute has expired. Courts enter default judgments when you fail to respond or appear.
You Make a Partial Payment
Making any partial payment resets the statute of limitations. Partial payments don’t affect existing judgments with ten-year limits.
Never make partial payments unless you plan to pay in full.
You Acknowledge Owning the Debt
Creditors may contact you after the statute expires. They try to trick you into acknowledging the debt.
Acknowledging debt ownership immediately resets the statute of limitations. Never verbally acknowledge debt to collectors.
Request written documentation when creditors contact you. Send a cease and desist letter for time-barred debts.
When Does the Statute of Limitations Begin?
The statute starts when you last serviced the debt. It does not begin when you first took the debt.
Example: You stopped paying your credit card in 2020. Creditors have until 2026 to sue you. You make a partial payment in 2024. The statute resets, giving creditors six more years.
Get written agreements for any out-of-court settlement. The creditor must sign a letter confirming debt forgiveness. Without documentation, creditors can claim your payment was partial. They can sue for the remaining balance.
What to Do When Sued After the Statute Expires
You must still file an answer even for time-barred debt. Use the expired statute of limitations as an affirmative defense.
Our partner Solo makes filing an answer simple. Answer a few questions about your case. The software prepares your response quickly.
You can print and file the answer yourself. Or have an attorney review and file it for a small fee.
Never ignore a lawsuit summons. Creditors obtain default judgments when you ignore summons. They renew collection efforts even after the statute expires. Judgments renew until you pay in full.
Protect Your Rights Against Debt Collectors
Understanding Michigan’s statute of limitations protects you from invalid lawsuits. Know your rights before responding to any collection attempt.
File responses to all lawsuit summons within the deadline. Use expired statutes as your defense. Get professional help when filing court responses.
You have options for fighting back against aggressive collectors. Take action before creditors obtain judgments against you.