Breach of Contract Statute of Limitations in Indiana
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Ind. Code § 34-11-2-11 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
10 years
from Date of breach, under Ind. Code § 34-11-2-11.
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Indiana law sets a hard deadline of 10 years to file a breach of contract lawsuit. The controlling statute is Ind. Code § 34-11-2-11, and the clock generally starts on Date of breach. Below: exactly when that clock starts, the exceptions that can pause it, and the traps that shorten it.
Indiana Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Breach of Contract | 10 years | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-11 |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4(a) |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-9 |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | Ind. Code § 34-18-7-1 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Indiana Code § 34-23-1-1 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4(a)(1) |
| Dog Bite | 2 yrs | Ind. Code § 15-20-1-3 |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4 |
| Defamation | 2 yrs | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4 |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-9 |
When the Clock Starts
In Indiana, the limitations period for breach of contract claims generally begins on Date of breach. Indiana 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.
Oral/unwritten contracts: 6 years under IC 34-11-2-7. The 10-year period applies to written contracts entered into after September 1, 1982; pre-1982 written contracts have a 20-year SOL.
Source: Ind. Code § 34-11-2-11, official Indiana 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 Indiana 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 Indiana Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 10 years | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-11 |
| Illinois | 10 yrs | 735 ILCS 5/13-206 |
| Kentucky | 10 yrs | KRS 413.160 |
| Ohio | 6 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06 |
| Michigan | 6 yrs | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5807(9) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a breach of contract lawsuit in Indiana?
You have 10 years from Date of breach, under Ind. Code § 34-11-2-11.
Can I still sue after 10 years in Indiana?
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?
Indiana 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.
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Sources
- Official IC 34-11-2 — Limitation of Actions on Contracts (Indiana General Assembly)
- Corroborating IC 34-11-2-11 — Written Contract Actions (Justia)
- Corroborating Indiana Statute of Limitations by Claim Type (IndyJustice)
- 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 Indiana attorney.