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The Daily Insight Hub

How long does a creditor have to collect a debt in Maryland?

Author

Emma Miller

Updated on January 30, 2026

The statute of limitations gives creditors 3 years to file a lawsuit against you for the debt you owe. If the case is brought to court and the judge rules in favor of the creditor, they then have only 12 years to collect the settlement.

How long can a debt collector pursue an old debt in Maryland?

In general, the statute of limitations in Maryland for debt collection is three or four years after you stopped making payments, although it can be as long as 12 years in limited cases.

What is the statute of limitations in the state of Maryland?

A civil action at law shall be filed within three years from the date it accrues unless another provision of the Code provides a different period of time within which an action shall be commenced. [Emphasis added by us.] That is the rule.

What’s the Statute of limitations on debt in Maryland?

Maryland Statute of Limitations on Debt Mortgage debt 12 years on promissory notes Medical debt 3 years Credit card 3 years Auto loan debt 4 years State tax debt 7 years

How long does it take to collect a credit card in Maryland?

In Maryland, the statutes range from one to three years, depending on the debt. If a creditor wins in court, it has an additional 12 years to collect. In Maryland, credit cards are considered “open accounts.”

Why is there a statute of limitations on credit card debt?

The purpose of a statute of limitations for credit card debt is to prevent creditors from taking consumers to court long after evidence of the debt has been discarded or disappeared.

Is there Statute of limitations on American Express debt?

American Express) that the statute of limitations on an unpaid credit card debt was six years. The Georgia code sets the limit on open-ended accounts at four years, but the appeals court applied the law for written contracts to card debt in this case.