Credit Card Debt Statute of Limitations in Tennessee
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109(a)(3) ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
6 years
from the date of default — typically the last payment or last activity on the account, under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109(a)(3).
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The deadline to sue over unpaid credit card debt in Tennessee is 6 years, set by Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109(a)(3). It starts running on the date of default — typically the last payment or last activity on the account. This page covers the exceptions, the government-claim trap, and the steps to take before time runs out.
Tennessee Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Debt | 6 years | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109(a)(3) |
| Car Accident | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104 |
| Medical Malpractice | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-26-116 |
| Wrongful Death | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104 |
| Personal Injury | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1) |
| Dog Bite | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-8-413; SOL: § 28-3-104 |
| Slip and Fall | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1) |
| Defamation | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1)(A) |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109 |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109 |
When the Clock Starts
In Tennessee, the limitations period for credit card debt collection generally begins on the date of default — typically the last payment or last activity on the account. Tennessee 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.
Tennessee's official code is Lexis-only, so the durable free Justia page is used as the official source (per task rule for TN). Credit-card debt is treated as a contract 'not otherwise expressly provided for' (open account) under 28-3-109(a)(3), giving 6 years. Revival trap: a partial payment or a signed written acknowledgment/new promise restarts the clock — Tennessee permits revival. Source fix: replaced solosuit.com and upsolve.org (not approved publishers) with FindLaw and the Nolo 50-state chart.
Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109(a)(3), official Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 6 years | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109(a)(3) |
| Kentucky | 5 yrs | KRS § 413.120 |
| Virginia | 3 yrs | Va. Code § 8.01-246(4) |
| North Carolina | 3 yrs | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52(1) |
| Georgia | 6 yrs | O.C.G.A. § 9-3-24 |
| Alabama | 3 yrs | Ala. Code § 6-2-37(1) |
| Mississippi | 3 yrs | Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-29 |
| Arkansas | 5 yrs | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-111(a) |
| Missouri | 5 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(1) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to sue over unpaid credit card debt in Tennessee?
You have 6 years from the date of default — typically the last payment or last activity on the account, under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109(a)(3).
Can I still sue after 6 years in Tennessee?
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 Justia (durable, used as official — TN code is Lexis-only) — Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109
- Corroborating FindLaw — Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109
- Corroborating Statute of Limitations in All 50 States (Nolo) — Tennessee contracts 6 years
- 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 Tennessee attorney.