Statute of Limitations Collections Michigan

Overview

Michigan generally uses a 6-year statute of limitations for collections, grounded in MCL § 767.24(1). In plain terms, if you’re pursuing a collection action in Michigan based on a covered claim, you typically must file within 6 years from when the relevant “clock” starts (the clock mechanics are discussed in the Limitation period section below).

This page focuses on Michigan’s general/default limitations approach. No claim-type-specific sub-rule was found in the jurisdiction data you provided, so the guidance below treats the 6-year period as the baseline unless a specific exception or tolling issue applies.

Limitation period

A 6-year limitation period applies under MCL § 767.24(1) as the general default period for covered collection actions.

What the “6 years” usually means

“Statute of limitations” deadlines are commonly calculated as a time window measured from a legally relevant start point. A practical workflow is usually:

1. Identify the likely legal basis for the collection (the claim you would bring to collect).
2. Determine the accrual date—the point when the claim could first be brought.
3. Count forward 6 years from the accrual date to estimate the last permissible filing date, subject to potential tolling or other exceptions.

Inputs that typically affect the output in DocketMath

Even with a baseline 6-year rule, the result depends on the date inputs you provide. With DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations calculator, you’ll generally enter:

• Claim start/accrual date (the date you want to use for when the clock begins)
• Filing date (the date you plan to file, or the date you did file)
• Jurisdiction: **Michigan (US-MI)

Because “accrual” can vary based on facts (for example, what triggered default or when the claim became actionable), the calculator is most useful when you’re consistent about what date you treat as accrual.

How results usually change

Here’s a practical way to think about how the deadline can move:

Reminder: The biggest driver is usually the accrual date. If that date is off, the computed timeliness result can flip.

Key exceptions

Michigan’s general rule is a 6-year period under MCL § 767.24(1), but exceptions and tolling can change when the deadline runs—or whether it runs as expected.

Because the jurisdiction data provided did not identify claim-type-specific sub-rules, this section focuses on the kinds of timing-rule changes that often matter in limitations analysis.

1) Tolling events that can pause or extend time

Some situations can pause the limitations period (tolling) or effectively delay when the clock starts. In practice, tolling/extension arguments often depend on detailed facts, including whether the claimant could have sued earlier and whether legal or factual barriers existed.

DocketMath can help you model the baseline and compare dates, but it can’t confirm whether tolling is legally available on your particular facts.

2) Procedural timing rules that may override the baseline

Even when there is a general limitations period, certain procedural settings can involve different timing mechanics. If your collection strategy uses a specialized procedural path, it’s important to verify whether a separate rule governs the timing for that route.

3) Accrual disputes (often the real issue)

Many collection timing disputes turn on accrual, not just the length of the limitations period. Even with a clear 6-year baseline, you typically have to answer:

• When did the claim become legally actionable?
• What event triggered default or the ability to sue (if any)?

Statute citation

Michigan’s general/default limitation period is 6 years, stated in:

• **MCL § 767.24(1)

Jurisdiction source authority provided: https://www.michigan.gov.

Use the calculator

Use DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations tool to compute a deadline using Michigan’s 6-year general period under MCL § 767.24(1).

Go to DocketMath

Start here: **/tools/statute-of-limitations

What to enter

To get a useful output, enter dates that match how you define accrual in your matter:

• Accrual/claim start date (when the claim first became actionable)
• Jurisdiction: **Michigan (US-MI)
• Filing date (optional but recommended for timeliness comparison)

What the output typically does

The calculator generally:

• Applies the 6-year baseline period (MCL § 767.24(1))
• Produces a computed deadline date
• Lets you compare that deadline to your planned filing date (or another selected date)

How outputs change as inputs change

The largest impact usually comes from:

• Accrual date: shifts the entire 6-year window
• Filing/target date: determines whether you fall inside or outside the window

Related reading

• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Vermont — How to choose the right calculator
• Statute of limitations in Singapore: how to estimate the deadline — Full how-to guide with jurisdiction-specific rules
• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Connecticut — How to choose the right calculator