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Statute of Limitations on Debt in Indiana

In Indiana, a creditor generally has 6 years to sue on a promissory note, a written contract for the payment of money, an oral contract or an account.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Indiana at a glance

Written contracts
6 years
6 years for written contracts for the payment of money made after August 31, 1982. Other written contracts have 10 years.
Oral contracts
6 years
Promissory notes
6 years
For notes executed after August 31, 1982.
Open accounts
6 years
The statute covers actions on accounts and contracts not in writing.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Indiana

What is the statute of limitations for a written contract in Indiana?

Written contracts in Indiana: 6 years. 6 years for written contracts for the payment of money made after August 31, 1982. Other written contracts have 10 years.

What is the statute of limitations for an oral contract in Indiana?

Oral contracts in Indiana: 6 years.

What is the statute of limitations on a promissory note in Indiana?

Promissory notes in Indiana: 6 years. For notes executed after August 31, 1982.

What is the statute of limitations on an open account, such as a credit card, in Indiana?

Open accounts in Indiana: 6 years. The statute covers actions on accounts and contracts not in writing.

Where do the Indiana statutes of limitations on debt come from?

The rules above come from Ind. Code 34-11-2-9, Ind. Code 34-11-2-7 and Ind. Code 34-11-2-11. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

The clock usually starts when the debt is breached, which for a loan or account is often the date of the missed payment or the last payment made. In some states a new payment or a written acknowledgment of the debt can restart or extend the period, so the starting date matters as much as the length.

A statute of limitations is generally a defense the person being sued has to raise. If a lawsuit on an old debt is filed and nobody responds, the court can enter a judgment even if the period had expired. Judgments have their own, separate enforcement periods.

Which state's deadline applies is not always obvious. Contracts may contain a choice of law clause, and some states have borrowing statutes that apply a shorter period from another state. Federal rules also bar debt collectors from suing or threatening to sue on time-barred consumer debt. For a specific dispute, check the statute and consider talking to an attorney.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.