Breach of Contract Statute of Limitations in Wyoming
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
10 years
from Date of breach, under Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105.
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The deadline to file a breach of contract lawsuit in Wyoming is 10 years, set by Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105. 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.
Wyoming Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Breach of Contract | 10 years | Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105 |
| Car Accident | 4 yrs | Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C) |
| Credit Card Debt | 8 yrs | Wyo. Stat. 1-3-105(a)(ii) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-107 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Wyo. Stat. § 1-38-102 |
| Personal Injury | 4 yrs | Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C) |
| Dog Bite | 4 yrs | Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C) |
| Slip and Fall | 4 yrs | Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C) |
| Defamation | 1 yr | Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-3-105(a)(v)(A) |
| Medical Debt | 10 yrs | Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(i) |
When the Clock Starts
In Wyoming, the limitations period for breach of contract claims generally begins on Date of breach. Wyoming recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: Wyoming courts have recognized the discovery rule in breach of contract cases; SOL may run from when plaintiff knew or reasonably should have known of the breach rather than strictly from date of breach.
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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: Written notice within 2 years required for claims against governmental entities under Wyo. Stat. § 1-39-113 (Wyoming Government Claims Act).
10-year period for written contracts under § 1-3-105(a)(i) ('upon a specialty or any contract, agreement or promise in writing'). Oral (unwritten) contracts: 8-year period under § 1-3-105(a)(ii) ('upon a contract not in writing, either express or implied'). Minor tolling: § 1-3-114 allows minor to sue within 1 year after reaching majority.
Source: Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105, official Wyoming 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 Wyoming 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 Wyoming Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | 10 years | Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105 |
| Montana | 8 yrs | Mont. Code Ann. § 27-2-202(1) |
| South Dakota | 6 yrs | SDCL § 15-2-13 |
| Nebraska | 5 yrs | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-205 |
| Colorado | 3 yrs | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101(1)(a) |
| Utah | 6 yrs | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-309 |
| Idaho | 5 yrs | Idaho Code § 5-216 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a breach of contract lawsuit in Wyoming?
You have 10 years from Date of breach, under Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105.
Can I still sue after 10 years in Wyoming?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (the discovery rule, tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
Does the discovery rule apply to breach of contract claims in Wyoming?
Yes. Wyoming courts have recognized the discovery rule in breach of contract cases; SOL may run from when plaintiff knew or reasonably should have known of the breach rather than strictly from date of breach.
What if the victim was a minor?
Wyoming 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?
Written notice within 2 years required for claims against governmental entities under Wyo. Stat. § 1-39-113 (Wyoming Government Claims Act).
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Sources
- Official Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105 – Actions Other Than Recovery of Real Property (Wyoming Legislature)
- Corroborating Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105 – Justia
- Corroborating Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105 – 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 Wyoming attorney.