Breach of Contract Statute of Limitations in Arizona
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
6 years
from Date the cause of action accrues (date of breach), under Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548.
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Arizona law sets a hard deadline of 6 years to file a breach of contract lawsuit. The controlling statute is Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548, and the clock generally starts on Date the cause of action accrues (date of breach). Below: exactly when that clock starts, the exceptions that can pause it, and the traps that shorten it.
Arizona Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Breach of Contract | 6 years | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548 |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542(1) |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548(A) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-542; § 12-611; § 12-612 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Dog Bite | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 11-1025 (strict liability dog bite); SOL: A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Defamation | 1 yr | A.R.S. § 12-541(1) |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-548 |
When the Clock Starts
In Arizona, the limitations period for breach of contract claims generally begins on Date the cause of action accrues (date of breach). Arizona does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.
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Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline
- Minors: the clock is generally paused while the injured person is under 18.
- Fraudulent concealment: if the defendant actively hid the wrongdoing, the deadline may be extended until it was or should have been uncovered.
- Defendant leaves the state: absence can pause the clock in many circumstances.
- Government-claim trap: A notice of claim must be filed within 180 days for any claim against a public entity or public employee under Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-821.01.
Written contract (debt or obligation in writing): 6 years (§ 12-548). Oral contract (debt not evidenced by writing): 3 years (§ 12-543). Minor tolling: § 12-502 tolls for minors and persons of unsound mind.
Source: Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548, official Arizona statute · verified 2026-07
What to Do Before the Deadline Runs
- Pin down your accrual date — the day the clock started — and calendar the deadline conservatively.
- Preserve evidence now: photos, records, witness contacts, bills. Evidence decays faster than deadlines.
- Send preservation/notice letters where required (especially for Arizona government defendants).
- If the deadline is inside 6 months, treat it as urgent — filing suit is the only reliable way to stop the clock.
How Arizona Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 6 years | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548 |
| California | 4 yrs | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 337 |
| Nevada | 6 yrs | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(1)(b) |
| Utah | 6 yrs | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-309 |
| New Mexico | 6 yrs | NMSA 1978, § 37-1-3 |
| Colorado | 3 yrs | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101(1)(a) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a breach of contract lawsuit in Arizona?
You have 6 years from Date the cause of action accrues (date of breach), under Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548.
Can I still sue after 6 years in Arizona?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
What if the victim was a minor?
Arizona generally pauses ("tolls") the deadline while the injured person is under 18, giving them time to file after reaching adulthood. Special limits can still apply, so check the statute.
Is the deadline different for claims against the government?
A notice of claim must be filed within 180 days for any claim against a public entity or public employee under Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-821.01.
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Sources
- Official Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548 — Arizona State Legislature
- Corroborating Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548 — Justia
- Corroborating Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548 — FindLaw
- Verified 2026-07 under our 4-step process — every line checked against the sources above. How we verify
This page is legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions that depend on your facts — confirm with a licensed Arizona attorney.