Breach of Contract Statute of Limitations in Arkansas
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-111 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
5 years
from Date the cause of action accrues (date of breach), under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-111.
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Arkansas law sets a hard deadline of 5 years to file a breach of contract lawsuit. The controlling statute is Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-111, 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.
Arkansas Deadlines for Related Claims
When the Clock Starts
In Arkansas, the limitations period for breach of contract claims generally begins on Date the cause of action accrues (date of breach). Arkansas 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: Claims against cities and counties must be filed within 1 year under Ark. Code Ann. § 21-9-301.
Written contracts (obligations in writing): 5 years (§ 16-56-111). Oral contracts (obligations not in writing): 3 years (§ 16-56-105). Partial payment or written acknowledgment of default restarts the SOL (§ 16-56-111(b)). Minor tolling: § 16-56-116.
Source: Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-111, official Arkansas 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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | 5 years | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-111 |
| Missouri | 10 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.110 |
| Tennessee | 6 yrs | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109 |
| Mississippi | 3 yrs | Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49 |
| Louisiana | 10 yrs | La. Civ. Code art. 3499 |
| Texas | 4 yrs | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §§ 16.004, 16.051 |
| Oklahoma | 5 yrs | 12 O.S. § 95(A)(1) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a breach of contract lawsuit in Arkansas?
You have 5 years from Date the cause of action accrues (date of breach), under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-111.
Can I still sue after 5 years in Arkansas?
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?
Arkansas 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?
Claims against cities and counties must be filed within 1 year under Ark. Code Ann. § 21-9-301.
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Sources
- Official Arkansas Code — Arkansas State Legislature Bureau of Legislative Research
- Corroborating Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-111 — Justia
- Corroborating Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-111 — 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 Arkansas attorney.