North Carolina Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection
The statute of limitations is a time limit that the credit has
to file a lawsuit against the consumer for failure to pay the debt.
The time limit is calculated starting from the time the consumer
broke the agreement to pay the debt. This limit varies by state,
but once the lawsuit is filed (if it is on time), the statute of
limitation is met. Many people confuse this statute with how long a
judgment lasts. Once a judgment is entered, states vary on how long
the judgment operates. Typically they last quite long (10+ years).
Thus, many consumers are confused when they find they are having
their wages garnished upon on a debt that may be more than a dozen
years old. The reason for that is likely because there was a
judgment entered and the statute of limitations stopped being an
issue when the lawsuit was first filed.
Express or implied contract, not under seal: 3 years.
Contract and sale of personal property under seal: 10 years.
Open account: 3 years, NOTE: Each payment renews the SoL on all
items purchased within the 3 years prior that payment. If no
payment is made, the SoL runs from date of each individual charge.
Contracts: From date of breach or default, unless waived or
performance under the contract is continued.
Judgments: 10 years
Partial payment BEFORE the SoL expires renews the SoL from date
of payment.
Payment AFTER Statute of Limitations expires renews ONLY if, at
time of payment, circumstances infer the debtor recognized
obligation to pay. Partial payment on open account restarts Statute
of Limitations on purchases made within 3 years of payment date, if
acknowledgment can be inferred, starts the statute anew as to the
full obligation acknowledged, even if all of the charges were not
made within the last three years. NC Continued...
Partial payment by one debtor does not renew the statute of
limitations as against any a co-debtor unless that co-debtor agreed
to, authorized or ratified the partial payment.
Partial payments do NOT have any affect the ten-year limitation
on enforcing or renewing judgments.
Bankruptcy, Death or Disability: Filing of a bankruptcy tolls
the statute of limitations for the enforcement of contracts and
judgments.
Make sure you know your rights and do not hesitate to call
SmithMarco, P.C. at 888-822-1777 with any questions, or contact us here.