Legal Intelligence
Your state's debt laws, in plain English
Before you pay a dime or say a word to a collector, know your position. The statute of limitations, garnishment limits, and state-specific protections below can completely change your negotiation leverage.
Legal information, not legal advice. Statute-of-limitations and garnishment rules summarized here were compiled in June 2026 and are simplified. Which limit applies can depend on how a court classifies your debt and contract terms (some agreements choose another state's law). Always verify with your state's official sources or an attorney before relying on it.