In Texas, most debts have a four-year statute of limitations. This means that litigation to collect any debt must begin within four years of the date of the default. Debts older than four years are still owed and can be collected in other ways but not by suing.
Texas law was changed in 2019 to prevent the statute of limitations from being restarted by partial payment, an oral or written reaffirmation or any activity on a consumer debt.
Credit card debts, car loans, debts to landlords, and medical bills all have a four-year statute of limitations but some debts can have a six-year statute of limitations. This type of debt is called a negotiable instrument and they are rare outside of sophisticated business dealings. The longer statute of limitations periods can tempt debt collectors into mischaracterizing a regular debt as a negotiable instrument.
If you are sued on a consumer debt past the statute of limitations, the debt collector has violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Texas Debt Collection Act (TDCA). I sue debt collectors for violating these laws. Please give me a call to discuss your case. Initial consultations are free.