Statute of Limitations for Written Contract in Michigan

Overview

A written contract claim in Michigan generally has a 6-year statute of limitations. That default period applies unless a more specific Michigan rule controls the claim.

For a practical reference page, the key point is simple: if you are trying to sue on a written contract in Michigan, the clock usually runs for 6 years from the date the claim accrued. Michigan does not need a special written-contract sub-rule for the default period to apply here; use the general limitations period identified in the state data for this jurisdiction.

Common examples of written contract disputes include:

• unpaid invoices under a signed agreement
• breach of a lease with written terms
• failure to deliver goods under a purchase contract
• nonpayment under a promissory note or service agreement

If you are checking timing, the two inputs that usually matter most are:

• When the breach occurred
• When the cause of action accrued under the contract facts

Limitation period

Michigan’s general limitations period for this type of claim is 6 years. That means a written contract action is generally timely if filed within six years after the claim accrues.

Here is the practical rule:

What changes the output?

When you use a statute-of-limitations tool, the result usually changes based on the date you enter as the accrual date. For written contracts, that is often the date of breach, default, nonpayment, or another contract-defined trigger.

DocketMath will typically show one of three practical outcomes:

• Open window: the 6-year period has not yet run
• Near deadline: the end date is close
• Expired: the filing date is outside the 6-year period

Why the accrual date matters

A written contract can be signed years before anyone sues on it. The limitations period does not start from the signature date just because the agreement exists. Instead, it usually starts when the legal claim accrues, which is often tied to a breach or missed payment.

That means two contracts signed on the same day can have different deadline dates if:

• one party breaches immediately
• payments are due later
• the contract sets milestones or installment obligations
• the dispute involves a continuing duty

Key exceptions

Michigan’s provided jurisdiction data did not identify a claim-type-specific sub-rule for written contracts, so the 6-year default period is the rule to use here. Even so, several contract facts can affect how the deadline is calculated.

Situations that can change the timing

• Installment contracts: a separate limitation period may run on each missed installment.
• Continuing obligations: recurring duties can produce different accrual dates for different breaches.
• Written tolling agreements: the parties may agree in writing to extend time.
• Acknowledgment or partial payment: in some contract settings, these facts may affect whether the clock continues to run.
• Contract-specific accrual language: if the agreement defines when a breach occurs, that language can control the start date.

Practical checklist

Example

If a written service contract was breached on March 15, 2020, the ordinary Michigan limitations period would run for 6 years, placing the deadline around March 15, 2026, assuming no tolling or special contract terms apply.

Statute citation

The jurisdiction data provided for Michigan cites MCL § 767.24(1) and sets the general limitations period at 6 years.

That citation matters because a reference page should give users the exact legal anchor they can verify. For this topic, the most useful takeaway is the statutory period itself:

• Michigan written contract limitations period: 6 years
• **General statute cited: MCL § 767.24(1)
• Source: Michigan.gov

When you are preparing a deadline estimate, the statute citation is the reference point; the accrual date is the calculation point.

What to record for your file

For a contract claim timeline, keep these data points together:

For users who want a faster deadline estimate, the statute of limitations calculator can turn those dates into a date-specific result in seconds.

Use the calculator

DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations tool is designed to estimate the deadline for a Michigan written contract claim using the 6-year rule.

What to enter

Start with the most defensible date you can identify as the claim’s accrual date:

• breach date
• missed payment date
• default date
• due date under the contract
• date a cure period expired

Then add the filing date or target filing date if the tool asks for it.

How the result changes

The calculator output changes based on the dates you provide:

• Earlier accrual date = deadline comes sooner
• Later accrual date = deadline moves out
• Installment obligation = some missed payments may have separate deadlines
• Tolling agreement = deadline may extend if the agreement is valid and applicable

Best use cases

Use the calculator when you need to:

• screen a claim before filing
• compare multiple breach dates
• test whether a claim is likely time-barred
• build a litigation timeline
• verify a deadline for demand-letter planning

Quick workflow

1. Identify the contract and the breach event.
2. Confirm the claim is based on a written agreement.
3. Enter the accrual date into DocketMath.
4. Review the estimated 6-year deadline.
5. Compare that result with any tolling facts or contract notice provisions.

If you need a deadline estimate now, go to the statute of limitations tool and enter the breach date for your written contract claim.

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