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Statute of Limitations Lookup
Find out how long you have to file a lawsuit over a bill of sale, written contract, or defective sale of goods in any US state.
Select your state above to see the deadlines.
Why Three Different Numbers?
A bill of sale can give rise to several different kinds of legal claims, and each has its own deadline:
- Written contract: Non-payment, missing items, or any breach of the agreement itself.
- Promissory note: A separate written promise to pay, often used in seller-financed sales.
- Sale of goods (UCC): Defects in the item sold, breach of warranty, non-conforming goods. Almost always 4 years under UCC §2-725, regardless of the general written-contract limit.
Picking the wrong category can cost you the case. When in doubt, calculate the deadline under the shortest applicable limit and file before that date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a statute of limitations?
A statute of limitations is the legal deadline for filing a lawsuit. Once the deadline passes, your right to sue is generally lost - even if you have a strong case. For private sales and contracts, the most relevant deadlines are the written contract limit and the sale of goods limit (which comes from Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code).
How long do I have to sue over a bad bill of sale?
A signed bill of sale is a written contract, so the written contract statute of limitations in your state usually controls. Most states allow 3 to 10 years. If the dispute is specifically about the goods sold (a defective vehicle, a misrepresented condition), the 4-year UCC sale of goods limit may apply instead - and it usually starts running on the delivery date, not when you discovered the defect.
When does the clock start running?
For most contract disputes the clock starts on the date of the breach - the day the other party failed to do what they promised. For sale of goods claims, it usually starts on the date of delivery, regardless of when you discovered the defect (unless the seller gave a written warranty extending coverage). For fraud or concealment, many states use a "discovery rule" that starts the clock when you knew or should have known about the problem.
What is the difference between written contract and sale of goods limits?
A written contract claim covers any breach of a signed agreement - non-payment, broken promises, missing items. A sale of goods claim under the UCC specifically covers defects in the item itself. The UCC limit is 4 years in nearly every state. The written contract limit is set by each state and is often longer, ranging from 3 to 10 years. Which one applies depends on what your dispute is actually about.
Does signing a bill of sale "as-is" change the statute of limitations?
No. An "as-is" clause limits what kinds of claims a buyer can bring (it generally bars warranty claims), but it does not shorten the statute of limitations itself. The buyer still has the full statutory window to bring claims that survive the as-is language - such as fraud, intentional misrepresentation, or non-delivery.
Can the parties agree to a shorter or longer deadline?
Sometimes. The UCC allows parties to a sale of goods contract to reduce the limitation period to as little as 1 year by written agreement, but they cannot extend it beyond the statutory maximum. For non-UCC contracts, courts in many states will enforce a reasonable contractually shortened deadline, but the rules vary widely. A licensed attorney in your state can tell you whether a particular shortening or extension would hold up.
What if I miss the deadline?
If you sue after the statute of limitations has expired, the defendant can raise it as an affirmative defense and the case will almost always be dismissed. There are narrow exceptions - if the defendant left the state, if they fraudulently concealed the wrongdoing, or if you were a minor at the time - but these are hard to prove. If you think you have a claim, talk to a lawyer well before the deadline.
Is this tool a substitute for legal advice?
No. This tool is a free reference for general planning. The years shown are widely-cited general values, but the actual deadline that applies to your specific situation depends on what kind of claim you bring, when the breach happened, what state's law governs, and whether any tolling or discovery rules apply. Always consult a licensed attorney in your state before relying on these numbers for any actual lawsuit.
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