Statute of Limitations for Consumer Fraud / Deceptive Trade Practices in Michigan

Overview

Michigan’s default statute of limitations (SOL) for civil claims that are framed in a consumer-fraud / deceptive-trade-practices-style way is 6 years under MCL § 767.24(1).

DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations calculator is built around that general rule: Michigan has a 6-year lookback for these claims, and no claim-type-specific sub-rule was found in the materials provided. So, unless your situation involves a different Michigan limitations period for a different legal theory, plan around 6 years from when the claim accrues.

Limitation period

Michigan’s general SOL period is 6 years, using MCL § 767.24(1) as the default anchor for this topic.

A practical way to think about timing is:

1. Identify the event(s) that form the basis of the claim

   • Examples include alleged misrepresentations, deceptive omissions, or conduct connected to a consumer transaction.

2. Determine the accrual date

   • Many timing disputes turn on when the plaintiff knew (or should have known) enough to bring the claim.
   • Even if the conduct happened earlier, the claim may not accrue until it becomes actionable under Michigan’s accrual framework for that kind of claim.

3. Count forward 6 years from the accrual date

   • If the accrual date is June 15, 2020, the general SOL window ends around June 15, 2026 (the precise “end” can depend on how accrual and the date calculation are handled for your facts).

4. Compare with your filing date

   • If you plan to file after the limitations period ends (as computed), the defendant may argue dismissal based on SOL.

Practical timing checklist (useful before you run the calculator)

How DocketMath changes outputs based on your inputs

DocketMath uses your chosen accrual/discovery date (and, if you provide it, your planned filing date). As you change inputs:

• Moving the accrual date later typically extends the SOL end date.
• Moving the accrual date earlier typically shrinks the available window.
• Changing the planned filing date determines whether filing falls inside or outside the 6-year period.

If you’re unsure which date best represents accrual in your situation, run multiple scenarios (for example, “first noticed” vs. “fully discovered”) so you can see the range of outcomes.

Key exceptions

The materials provided support a general/default 6-year period under MCL § 767.24(1) and do not identify a separate consumer-fraud/deceptive-trade-practices-specific sub-rule. With that in mind, “exceptions” in practice often come from the real-world timing issues that change the effective deadline, such as:

• Accrual disputes

  • Often the biggest “exception” is not a statute carve-out—it’s the disagreement over when the claim accrued (i.e., when the clock started).

• **Equitable tolling (where applicable)

  • Some circumstances may justify tolling, depending on the legal standards that apply to your claim and facts. Whether tolling applies is highly circumstance-specific.

• Different limitations periods for different legal theories

  • If your case is pleaded under a different cause of action with its own limitations period, that specific SOL may control instead of the default 6-year rule.

Because you asked for the consumer fraud / deceptive trade practices SOL specifically—and the supplied guidance did not list a separate statutory sub-rule—this page focuses on the default rule first. You can use DocketMath to compute the 6-year end date, then verify whether your particular pleading theory points to a different limitations statute.

Statute citation

This page uses the general Michigan limitations anchor:

• Michigan General Statute: MCL § 767.24(1)

  • General SOL Period: 6 years
  • Source: https://www.michigan.gov

In practice, the key question is almost always: what is the accrual date for your claim?

Use the calculator

Use DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations tool to compute the 6-year window under the general rule referenced in MCL § 767.24(1).

• Start here: DocketMath Statute of Limitations Calculator

What to input in DocketMath (typical approach)

• Accrual / discovery date (the date you believe the claim became actionable)
• Desired filing date (if you’re checking whether filing is timely)
• Optional: multiple scenario dates to test different accrual assumptions (e.g., “first noticed” vs. “fully discovered”)

How to interpret the output

After you run the calculation:

• The tool will show the end of the 6-year period based on your chosen accrual date.
• If your filing date is on or before the computed end date, the claim is within the general limitations window under the default 6-year rule.
• If your filing date is after the end date, the claim falls outside the default 6-year 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