Connecticut Statute of Limitations on Debt: Know Your Rights
Connecticut's statute of limitations ranges from three years for oral contracts to six years for credit cards and written contracts. If sued for debt, you have exactly 30 days to file Answer and Appearance documents with the court, and responding properly can help you win your case.
Answer Your LawsuitA debt collector or creditor can sue you for unpaid debts. They must act within a specific time period. That period is called the statute of limitations.
In Connecticut, different debts have different time limits. Understanding these limits protects your rights in court.
Respond to Your Connecticut Debt Lawsuit in 15 Minutes
You only have 30 days to file your Answer and Appearance documents. Our partner Solo creates Connecticut-compliant court documents and helps you respond before the deadline.
Start Your AnswerConnecticut Debt Statute of Limitations by Type
| Debt Type | Years to Sue |
|---|---|
| Written Contracts | 6 |
| Oral Contracts | 3 |
| Open Accounts (Credit Cards) | 6 |
| Judgments | 20 |
| Sale of Goods | 4 |
| Promissory Notes | 5 |
| State Tax Debt | 15 |
How Written and Oral Contracts Work
Oral contracts are difficult to prove in court. Debt collectors have three years to file suit. They need witnesses to prove the agreement existed.
Written contracts include auto loans and personal loans. Collectors have six years to sue on these debts. The clock starts when you miss your first payment.
Sale of goods contracts have a four-year limit. Promissory notes allow collectors five years to sue.
Open-Ended Accounts and Credit Cards
Credit cards and home equity lines are open-ended accounts. Connecticut gives collectors six years to sue on these debts.
The countdown begins when you stop making required payments. The clock runs continuously until time expires.
Making a payment restarts the clock completely. Even acknowledging the debt verbally can reset the timer. Asking for more time to pay counts as acknowledgment.
You must be careful about what you say to collectors. Any acknowledgment extends their right to sue you.
State Taxes and Special Debt Types
Connecticut can pursue unpaid state taxes for 15 years. The clock starts when they assess your tax liability.
Child support arrears have no statute of limitations. The state can collect federal student loans indefinitely. Collection methods include wage garnishment and tax refund seizures.
Responding to a Connecticut Debt Lawsuit
Many collectors rely on debtors not responding to lawsuits. If you fail to answer, you automatically lose. The court grants them a default judgment.
A default judgment allows wage garnishment and bank levies. Connecticut law protects 75 percent of disposable earnings. But living on 25 percent less income creates serious hardship.
You have 30 days from receiving the summons to respond. Missing that deadline costs you the case.
Our partner Solo helps you file the correct response quickly.
What to Do When Sued for Old Debt
The statute of limitations may have already expired. Collectors sometimes sue after the legal deadline passes. The court won’t know unless you prove it.
Check the date of your last payment carefully. If more than six years passed, you have a strong defense.
Debt collectors often lack proper evidence against you. They may have outdated records if you paid already. Many errors occur in old debt records.
Common Errors in Debt Collection Lawsuits
- Wrong account identification numbers
- Incorrect debt amounts or account details
- Wrong person or mistaken identity
- Debts already paid or settled
You can deny false claims in your answer document. Never acknowledge a debt you don’t recognize.
Making any payment restarts the statute of limitations. Even a small payment on an expired debt revives their right to sue.
Filing Your Answer in Connecticut Court
Connecticut requires specific documents for your response. You must follow state court procedures exactly.
Step 1: Know Your Deadline
You have exactly 30 days to respond. Count from the day you received the summons. Missing this deadline means automatic loss.
Step 2: Prepare Two Required Documents
Connecticut courts need both documents filed together:
- Answer Document: Your responses to each claim
- Appearance Document: How you’ll appear in court
Both forms must follow Connecticut court formatting rules. Mistakes in formatting can get your answer rejected.
Step 3: File and Serve Properly
Mail your documents to the court listed on the summons. Send a copy to the plaintiff’s attorney too.
Use certified mail with return receipt requested. That receipt proves they received your answer. Keep that proof in case they claim otherwise.
Defend Yourself Against Debt Collectors
Our partner Solo makes responding to lawsuits simple. The process asks you questions about your case. Your answers generate the proper court documents.
The system creates Connecticut-compliant Answer and Appearance documents. You can print and file them yourself. Or pay for attorney review and professional filing.
You avoid expensive attorney consultations for simple cases. The software ensures you meet Connecticut’s 30-day deadline. Proper filing gives you a real chance to win.
Fighting back protects you from wage garnishment. You preserve your income and avoid bank levies. Responding correctly starts your path to resolving debt legally.