How to run Statute Of Limitations in DocketMath for Brazil

Step-by-step

This guide shows how to run the Statute of Limitations calculator in DocketMath for Brazil (BR) using jurisdiction-aware prescrição rules.

1) Open the correct tool

Start at the Statute of Limitations calculator:

• Primary CTA: /tools/statute-of-limitations

2) Set jurisdiction to Brazil (BR)

In the calculator, choose:

• Jurisdiction: Brazil
• Jurisdiction code (if shown): BR

This step matters because Brazil uses a general prescription period of 10 years for claims that don’t fall into a more specific category (see Código Civil, Art. 205).

3) Select the claim type that matches the scenario

DocketMath’s Brazil setup relies on claim-type periods. Use the closest match available in the UI (examples reflect the calculator’s Brazil configuration):

If your facts don’t clearly fit a specialized category in the list, choose general (defaulting to the 10-year general prescriptive period under Código Civil, Art. 205).

4) Enter the “start” date and any relevant dates

The calculator will ask for dates that define when time starts to run and/or when to evaluate an alleged right.

To get reliable outputs, enter dates consistently with the calculator’s expectations:

• Choose the date that represents the start point for prescription in your workflow (for example, the date relevant to your case timeline).
• Add the evaluation/filing date the calculator uses to determine whether the period has elapsed.

If the calculator supports multiple date fields (common for limitation calculators), fill every required date field rather than leaving blanks.

5) Apply built-in tolling assumptions (if applicable)

DocketMath’s Brazil configuration includes tolling logic for certain incapacity scenarios. In the verified configuration, this is expressed as:

• tolling_rules.absolutely_incapable: true

So when the UI includes an option for tolling due to incapacity, turn it on only when it matches your documented facts in the matter you’re modeling.

6) Review the computed “limitation period” and result

After you submit, verify the calculator shows the right limitation period for your selected claim type.

For Brazil (BR) in the verified configuration:

• receipts. limitation_period:* 10 years (where applicable in the receipts flow)

If the computed period doesn’t match your selected claim type, re-check:

• jurisdiction (BR)
• claim type
• any tolling toggle
• date inputs

7) Save/share the run with the right jurisdiction rules

If DocketMath allows saving runs, make sure the saved result clearly indicates:

• Brazil (BR)
• the claim type selected
• the dates used

This prevents confusion later—especially if you also run other jurisdictions in the same workspace.

Common pitfalls

Below are frequent ways Brazil limitation calculations go wrong in tooling workflows.

• Choosing the wrong claim type

  • A mismatch between (for example) tort (3 years) and general (10 years) changes the entire outcome.

• Forgetting tolling toggles

  • If the calculator includes an “incapacity” tolling option, leaving it off (or turning it on without support) will shift the deadline estimate.

• Inconsistent date formats

  • Ensure all dates use the same format expected by the calculator (especially day/month ordering, depending on UI).

• Mixing jurisdiction rules

  • Running the same dates with the wrong jurisdiction selected can produce dramatically different timeframes. Always confirm BR before reading results.

• Using “general” when a specialized period is more appropriate

  • DocketMath provides multiple Brazil-specific periods (e.g., 2 years for alimony; 1 year for insurance against insurer). If your facts map to one of those, the 10-year general rule may overestimate.

• Labor claims look-back vs. period

  • The configuration distinguishes:

    • labor_claims.period: 2 years
    • labor_claims.look_back_years: 5 years
  • If you’re modeling labor claims, enter dates carefully so the calculator can apply both pieces correctly.

Try it

1. Go to /tools/statute-of-limitations
2. Select Brazil (BR)
3. Pick general as a baseline test
4. Enter a start date and an evaluation date
5. Submit and observe:

   • the limitation period shown
   • the computed “expired vs. not expired” result (wording depends on UI)

Then run two quick comparisons:

• Comparison A: Switch claim type to tort (3 years)
• Comparison B: Switch claim type to alimony (2 years)

If the results don’t change when you switch claim types, something is off in the inputs or the calculator is not applying claim-type selection as expected.

If you want a different jurisdiction comparison to confirm the tool is working end-to-end, you can reuse the same dates and rerun for another jurisdiction in the calculator UI.

Related reading

• Statute of limitations in United States (Federal): how to estimate the deadline — Full how-to guide with jurisdiction-specific rules
• Why statute of limitations results differ in United States (Federal) — Troubleshooting when results differ
• Statute of limitations reference snapshot for United States (Federal) — Rule summary with authoritative citations