Credit Card Debt Statute of Limitations in Missouri
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(1) ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
5 years
from the date of default or last activity — the last payment or charge on the account, under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(1).
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If you're researching credit card debt collection in Missouri, the single most important number is 5 years. That's how long Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(1) gives you to sue over unpaid credit card debt, counted from the date of default or last activity — the last payment or charge on the account. File even one day late and the court will almost certainly dismiss the case, no matter how strong it is.
Missouri Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Debt | 5 years | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(1) |
| Car Accident | 5 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | RSMo § 516.105 |
| Wrongful Death | 3 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 537.080; § 537.090; § 537.100 |
| Personal Injury | 5 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4) |
| Dog Bite | 5 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 273.036 |
| Slip and Fall | 5 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4) |
| Defamation | 2 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.140 |
| Breach of Contract | 10 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.110 |
| Medical Debt | 5 yrs | RSMo § 516.120 |
When the Clock Starts
In Missouri, the limitations period for credit card debt collection generally begins on the date of default or last activity — the last payment or charge on the account. Missouri 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
- 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.
Credit-card debt is treated as an open account / implied contract under § 516.120 (5 yrs), not a 10-year written contract under § 516.110 (which requires a writing promising payment of a sum certain); Missouri courts routinely apply the 5-year period to revolving credit-card accounts, though creditors sometimes argue for 10 years when a signed cardholder agreement exists. Revival trap: a partial payment or a written, signed acknowledgment of the debt restarts the clock (§ 516.320).
Source: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(1), official Missouri 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 Missouri 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 Missouri Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 5 years | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(1) |
| Iowa | 5 yrs | Iowa Code § 614.1(4) |
| Illinois | 5 yrs | 735 ILCS 5/13-205 |
| Kentucky | 5 yrs | KRS § 413.120 |
| Tennessee | 6 yrs | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109(a)(3) |
| Arkansas | 5 yrs | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-111(a) |
| Oklahoma | 5 yrs | 12 O.S. § 95(A)(1) |
| Kansas | 3 yrs | K.S.A. § 60-512(1) |
| Nebraska | 4 yrs | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-206 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to sue over unpaid credit card debt in Missouri?
You have 5 years from the date of default or last activity — the last payment or charge on the account, under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(1).
Can I still sue after 5 years in Missouri?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
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Sources
- Official Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120 — Missouri Revisor of Statutes
- Corroborating Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120 (Justia)
- Corroborating Statute of Limitations in All 50 States (Nolo)
- 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 Missouri attorney.