Statute of Limitations for Slander (spoken defamation) in Michigan

Overview

In Michigan, the statute of limitations for slander (spoken defamation) is 6 years, under MCL § 767.24(1). Practically, this means that if you believe you were harmed by a false, defamatory statement spoken to others, you generally must file your lawsuit within six years from the legally recognized start date (accrual) for the claim.

Defamation claims are highly time-sensitive because evidence and witnesses can become harder to obtain as time passes, and courts typically enforce statutory filing deadlines.

Limitation period

Michigan provides a 6-year general statute of limitations for civil actions covered by MCL § 767.24(1). This guide uses that general/default period because no claim-type-specific sub-rule for slander was found in the jurisdiction data provided.

Practical takeaway:

• General SOL length (Michigan slander): 6 years
• Governing statute: **MCL § 767.24(1)
• Default nature: This is the period that applies unless a different, more specific rule governs your situation.

What date does the clock start from?

Even though the duration is 6 years, the key question is usually when the clock starts. Michigan measures limitations from an accrual date or another legally recognized starting point. In defamation cases, that start date may depend on when the statement was made and when the claim became actionable under Michigan law.

Because accrual timing can vary based on facts (for example, the timing of the spoken statement(s)), you should select the date that best fits the timeline supported by your records—and understand that courts may assess accrual based on the specific facts of the claim.

Using DocketMath to get an end date

DocketMath helps you convert:

• Start date (your chosen accrual/limitations start date) → into
• End date (the calculated deadline based on 6 years)

Key exceptions

Even with a general 6-year rule, there are scenarios where your timeline may change. The most common timing-related issues generally fall into these areas:

1) A different statute might control

Sometimes the claim you think is “slander” is actually governed by a different, more specific limitations provision. For this page, the assumption is that the general/default 6-year period applies because no slander-specific sub-rule was identified in the provided jurisdiction data. If your situation fits within a different statutory framework, the limitations period could be different.

2) Tolling may pause (or extend) the deadline

Tolling can pause or delay the running of the limitations period in certain circumstances. Tolling is fact-dependent and requires a recognized legal basis.

3) Accrual disputes can shift the start date

Often, the dispute isn’t about the length (6 years), but about the start date. For defamation, determining accrual can involve questions such as:

• the exact date the spoken statement occurred,
• whether there were multiple statements on different dates,
• and when the claim was considered actionable under Michigan law.

Quick timeline sanity-check

Before you calculate, confirm:

• What exact date did the slanderous statement occur?
• Was it one statement or repeated statements across multiple dates?
• Did the statement reach third parties (a typical element of defamation exposure)?
• Are you using the most defensible date for accrual/start based on your records?
• Is there any plausible basis for tolling?

Statute citation

Michigan’s general statute of limitations for the relevant civil actions is 6 years under:

• MCL § 767.24(1) — General limitations period: 6 years

This is the default period used here for slander because no claim-type-specific sub-rule was found in the jurisdiction data provided. Unless another specific rule applies to your circumstances, your calculation uses a 6-year clock.

Use the calculator

Use DocketMath to calculate your potential deadline under the 6-year rule in MCL § 767.24(1).

Primary CTA: /tools/statute-of-limitations

How to use DocketMath effectively

1. Choose Michigan (US-MI).
2. Enter your start date (the date you’re treating as the accrual/limitations start).
3. Ensure the calculator is using the 6-year general period tied to MCL § 767.24(1).
4. Review the computed end date and compare it to your planned filing timeline.

Explain inputs vs. outputs (and how results change)

• Input: the date you enter as the start date
• Output: the calculated end date (the 6-year deadline)

Change driver: If you update the start date, the end date will shift accordingly.

• Move the start date forward → the end date also moves forward.
• Move the start date earlier → the end date moves earlier.

If you’re uncertain about the correct accrual/start date, consider running multiple scenarios based on your best-supported timeline, and re-check which facts those dates correspond to.

Sources and references

Start with the primary authority for Michigan and confirm the effective date before relying on any output. If the rule has been amended, update the inputs and rerun the calculation.

• MCL § 600.5807

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