Every state has different statute of limitations, garnishment limits, and consumer protections. Know your rights — DebtShield automatically cites the right laws for your state.
Credit card debt SOL by state — shorter is better for consumers
Showing credit card debt statute of limitations for all 51 jurisdictions. After the SOL expires, the debt is "time-barred" and collectors cannot sue.
Maximum percentage of wages that can be garnished for consumer debt
Best states for debtors:
NC, PA, TX, SC prohibit wage garnishment for most consumer debts. FL exempts head of household wages entirely.
| State | SOL (Credit Card) | Garnishment Limit | State Law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 6 years | 25% of disposable earnings | No specific state debt collection act — FDCPA appl... |
| Alaska | 3 years | 25% of disposable earnings | Alaska Unfair Trade Practices Act |
| Arizona | 6 years | 25% of disposable earnings | ARS § 32-1001 (Collection Agency Licensing) |
| California | 4 years | 25% or amount exceeding 40x min wage | Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act |
| Colorado | 6 years | 25% or amount exceeding 40x federal min wage | Colorado Fair Debt Collection Practices Act |
| Connecticut | 6 years | 25% of disposable earnings | CT Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA) |
| Florida | 5 years | Head of household exempt | Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act |
| Georgia | 6 years | 25% of disposable earnings | GA Fair Business Practices Act |
| Illinois | 5 years | 15% of gross wages | Illinois Collection Agency Act |
| Massachusetts | 6 years | 15% of gross wages | Chapter 93A Consumer Protection |
| Michigan | 6 years | 25% of disposable earnings | Michigan Collection Practices Act (MCPA) |
| Minnesota | 6 years | 25% of disposable earnings | Minnesota Collection Agency Act |
| Mississippi | 3 years | 25% of disposable earnings | No specific state act — FDCPA applies |
| North Carolina | 3 years | No wage garnishment for most debts | NC Debt Collection Act |
| New Hampshire | 3 years | Limited — only for specific debts | NH Consumer Protection Act |
| New Jersey | 6 years | 10% of gross income (if earning <250% FPL) | NJ Consumer Fraud Act |
| New York | 6 years | 10% of gross income or 25% of disposable | NY General Business Law § 601 + NYC Consumer Prote... |
| Ohio | 6 years | 25% of disposable earnings | Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act |
| Pennsylvania | 4 years | No wage garnishment for most debts | PA Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act |
| South Carolina | 3 years | 25% of disposable earnings | SC Consumer Protection Code |
| Texas | 4 years | No wage garnishment for most debts | Texas Debt Collection Act + DTPA |
| Arkansas | 5 years | 25% of disposable earnings | AR Deceptive Trade Practices Act |
| Delaware | 3 years | 15% of disposable earnings | DE Consumer Fraud Act |
| District of Columbia | 3 years | 25% of disposable earnings | DC Debt Collection Act |
| Hawaii | 6 years | 5% of first $100 + 10% of next $100 + 20% of remainder | HI Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act |
| Idaho | 5 years | 25% of disposable earnings | Idaho Collection Agency Act |
| Indiana | 6 years | 25% of disposable earnings | Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act |
| Iowa | 5 years | 25% of disposable earnings | Iowa Debt Collection Practices Act |
| Kansas | 5 years | 25% of disposable earnings | Kansas Consumer Protection Act |
| Kentucky | 5 years | 25% of disposable earnings | KY Consumer Protection Act |
| Louisiana | 3 years | 25% of disposable earnings | LA Unfair Trade Practices Act |
| Maine | 6 years | 25% of disposable earnings | Maine Fair Debt Collection Practices Act |
| Maryland | 3 years | 25% of disposable earnings or $145/month (lesser) | Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act |
| Missouri | 5 years | 25% of disposable earnings or 10% of wages (greater protection) | Missouri Merchandising Practices Act |
| Montana | 5 years | 25% of disposable earnings | Montana Consumer Protection Act |
| Nebraska | 5 years | 25% of disposable earnings or 15% of disposable (head of household) | Nebraska Consumer Protection Act |
| Nevada | 6 years | 25% of disposable earnings | Nevada Fair Debt Collection Practices Act |
| New Mexico | 6 years | 25% of disposable earnings | NM Unfair Practices Act |
| North Dakota | 6 years | 25% of disposable earnings | ND Collection Agency Licensing Act |
| Oklahoma | 5 years | 25% of disposable earnings | Oklahoma Consumer Protection Act |
| Oregon | 6 years | 25% of disposable earnings or amount exceeding $254/week | Oregon Unlawful Debt Collection Practices Act |
| Rhode Island | 10 years | 25% of disposable earnings | RI Deceptive Trade Practices Act |
| South Dakota | 6 years | 20% of disposable earnings | No specific state act — FDCPA applies |
| Tennessee | 6 years | 25% of disposable earnings | Tennessee Consumer Protection Act |
| Utah | 6 years | 25% of disposable earnings | Utah Consumer Sales Practices Act |
| Vermont | 6 years | 25% of disposable earnings | VT Consumer Protection Act |
| Virginia | 5 years | 25% of disposable earnings | Virginia Consumer Protection Act |
| Washington | 6 years | 25% of disposable earnings | Washington Collection Agency Act |
| West Virginia | 10 years | 20% of disposable earnings | WV Consumer Credit and Protection Act |
| Wisconsin | 6 years | 20% of disposable earnings | Wisconsin Consumer Act |
| Wyoming | 8 years | 25% of disposable earnings | No specific state act — FDCPA applies |