Statute of Limitations for Trespass to Chattels / Conversion in Michigan

Overview

Run this scenario in DocketMath using the Statute Of Limitations calculator.

In Michigan, the statute of limitations (SOL) for trespass to chattels / conversion-type claims is generally 6 years under MCL § 767.24(1). In practical terms, that typically means you must file in court within six years from when your claim accrued.

DocketMath can help you convert that rule into a date you can track. The tool takes the key dates you provide—especially the accrual date—and calculates the SOL expiration date based on Michigan’s general limitations framework.

Limitation period

6 years is the general/default SOL period in Michigan for these property-tort claims under MCL § 767.24(1). Per the jurisdiction data, no claim-type-specific sub-rule was found, so the general rule controls for purposes of this guidance.

Here’s how the 6-year period usually works in practice:

• Start point (accrual): The clock typically begins when the claim accrues—often when the wrongful act occurs and the injury is discoverable for SOL purposes.
• Count forward: Add 6 years to the accrual date to reach the filing deadline.
• Filing requirement: Most SOL questions focus on the date the case is filed in court, not the date you send a demand letter or give notice.

Example timeline (how the calculation changes)

Assume an accrual date of January 15, 2020:

If the accrual date is later—say March 1, 2021—the deadline shifts accordingly:

Even small differences in the accrual date can move the expiration date enough to affect whether a filing is timely.

Key exceptions

While this page focuses on the general 6-year SOL, Michigan limitations outcomes can change because of exception doctrines and fact-specific accrual/tolling issues.

Before relying only on “6 years,” check for these common timing-sensitive issues:

• Tolling events: Certain circumstances can pause or extend the limitations period. Specific tolling rules depend heavily on the facts.
• Accrual disputes (often the biggest driver): The practical question is frequently when the claim accrued. Competing dates (for example, the date of interference versus the date it was discovered, depending on the applicable accrual analysis) can change the deadline.
• Ongoing conduct: If the alleged wrongful conduct is continuing rather than a single event, accrual timing may be analyzed differently than in a one-time taking or interference scenario.

Practical reminder: Treat accrual as a fact-sensitive question. A date calculator can produce a precise date, but the “correct” date depends on what qualifies as the accrual date under the underlying facts.

A quick checklist to screen for timing issues:

For planning purposes, it’s usually safer to treat the SOL expiration date as a latest-filing target, not a guaranteed “safe window.”

Statute citation

MCL § 767.24(1) sets Michigan’s general 6-year limitation period for the claims addressed here.

This content uses the Michigan official source materials (https://www.michigan.gov) and applies the jurisdiction data provided:

• General SOL period: 6 years
• General statute: **MCL § 767.24(1)

Because no claim-type-specific sub-rule was found for “trespass to chattels / conversion” in the provided jurisdiction data, this page applies the general/default period.

Use the calculator

Use DocketMath’s “Statute of Limitations” calculator to generate a Michigan SOL expiration date using the 6-year rule under MCL § 767.24(1).

What to input and what to expect:

• Input: Accrual date (the date you believe the claim accrued) and **Jurisdiction (US-MI)
• Rule applied by the tool: 6 years (general/default) for Michigan
• Output: SOL expiration date, and—depending on the calculator view—potentially time remaining based on today’s date

How outputs change when inputs change

• If you shift the accrual date forward by a few months, the expiration date will typically shift forward by a similar amount because the rule is a straight 6-year count from accrual.
• If you change jurisdiction, the rule may change—so keep US-MI selected to apply MCL § 767.24(1).

Pitfall to avoid: Don’t back into a deadline from your intended filing date. Start with the best-supported accrual date you can identify, generate the SOL deadline, and then assess whether your filing plan is safely within the limitation period.

If you’re uncertain about the accrual date, consider running the calculator using each plausible accrual candidate and compare the resulting deadlines to understand how sensitive the timeline is.

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