Legal Malpractice Statute Of Limitations in California

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Published July 14, 2026 • By DocketMath Team

Verified · 67 primary sources

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Quoted from the source law itself. Not legal advice; confirm how it applies to your matter.

Current verified answer

California statute-of-limitations: period is 3; period is 3.

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Authority and key facts

Citation: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1

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Verified April 23, 2026

  • Period: 3
  • Period: 3
  • Statute Of Limitations Years: 2
  • Government Notice Period Days: 180

This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

Legal Malpractice Statute Of Limitations in California

California’s statute of limitations for legal malpractice claims is governed by California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. That statute establishes a two-year limitations period for actions asserting professional negligence against an attorney. The two-year clock generally begins to run from the date the plaintiff discovers, or through reasonable diligence should have discovered, the facts constituting the malpractice. The statute sets out specific rules for accrual and provides certain exceptions that may delay or extend the filing deadline. The worked example below demonstrates how the two-year period applies under standard circumstances. To estimate how the rule applies to a particular set of facts, the DocketMath calculator can generate a precise result using the statutory framework found at the official source.

Governing authority

In California, the statute of limitations rule is set by Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1. The verified packet cites Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 (https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&sectionNum=335.1).

Deadline example

For a California legal malpractice limitations check, use the verified limitations period from the current rule packet: 2 years. The authority packet cites Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 (https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP&sectionNum=335.1).

Example inputs:

  • Accrual date: 2024-04-25
  • Filing date checked: 2026-04-25

Calculation:

  • Start with the accrual date.
  • Add 2 years.
  • The example deadline is 2026-04-25.

This example is generated from the verified facts packet rather than freeform prose. Confirm tolling, discovery rules, and claim-specific exceptions before relying on the date.

Estimate your own result: every situation has exceptions that can change the outcome. Use the legal malpractice statute of limitations calculator to estimate your specific figure.

This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.