Breach of Contract Statute of Limitations in Kentucky
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: KRS 413.160 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
10 years
from Date of breach, under KRS 413.160.
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The deadline to file a breach of contract lawsuit in Kentucky is 10 years, set by KRS 413.160. It starts running on Date of breach. This page covers the exceptions, the government-claim trap, and the steps to take before time runs out.
Kentucky Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Breach of Contract | 10 years | KRS 413.160 |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | Ky. Rev. Stat. § 304.39-230(6) |
| Credit Card Debt | 5 yrs | KRS § 413.120 |
| Medical Malpractice | 1 yr | KRS 413.140(1)(e), (2) |
| Wrongful Death | 1 yr | KRS § 411.130; KRS § 413.180 |
| Personal Injury | 1 yr | Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413.140(1)(a) |
| Dog Bite | 1 yr | KRS § 258.235(4) |
| Slip and Fall | 1 yr | Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 413.140(1)(a) |
| Defamation | 1 yr | KRS § 413.140(1)(d) |
| Medical Debt | 10 yrs | KRS § 413.160 |
When the Clock Starts
In Kentucky, the limitations period for breach of contract claims generally begins on Date of breach. Kentucky 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 contracts: 5 years under KRS 413.120. The 10-year written contract SOL was established by a 2014 amendment (applies to contracts executed after July 15, 2014); pre-2014 written contracts may have a longer period. Minority tolling under KRS 413.170.
Source: KRS 413.160, official Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 10 years | KRS 413.160 |
| Illinois | 10 yrs | 735 ILCS 5/13-206 |
| Indiana | 10 yrs | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-11 |
| Ohio | 6 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06 |
| West Virginia | 10 yrs | W. Va. Code § 55-2-6 |
| Virginia | 5 yrs | Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-246 |
| Tennessee | 6 yrs | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109 |
| Missouri | 10 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.110 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a breach of contract lawsuit in Kentucky?
You have 10 years from Date of breach, under KRS 413.160.
Can I still sue after 10 years in Kentucky?
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?
Kentucky 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 KRS Chapter 413 — Limitation of Actions (Kentucky Legislature)
- Corroborating KRS 413.160 — Written Contract Limitation (Justia)
- Corroborating Kentucky Rev. Stat. § 413.160 — 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 Kentucky attorney.