Mississippi Statute of Limitations on Debt

George Simons | October 09, 2023

George Simons
Co-Founder of SoloSuit
George Simons, JD/MBA

George Simons is the co-founder and CEO of SoloSuit. He has helped Americans protect over $1 billion from predatory debt lawsuits. George graduated from BYU Law school in 2020 with a JD-MBA. In his spare time, George likes to cook, because he likes to eat.

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Hannah Locklear
Editor at SoloSuit
Hannah Locklear, BA

Hannah Locklear is SoloSuit’s Marketing and Impact Manager. With an educational background in Linguistics, Spanish, and International Development from Brigham Young University, Hannah has also worked as a legal support specialist for several years.

Fact-checked by Patrick Austin, J.D.

Patrick Austin
Attorney from George Mason
Patrick Austin, JD

Patrick Austin is a licensed attorney with a background in data privacy and information security law. Patrick received his law degree at George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School, where he served as the Editor-in-Chief for the National Security Law Journal.

Summary: The statute of limitations on debt is three years in Mississippi. Before you make any payment to a debt collector, you should check the statute of limitations on your debt. If you suspect you've been sued for an expired debt, SoloSuit can help you respond and use the statute of limitations as a defense in your case.

Each state in the US has a statute of limitations on debt. This statute indicates the time a debt collector has to file a debt collection lawsuit against you. If the debt collector files a lawsuit outside the statute of limitations, the lawsuit will be considered unlawful and the debt null and void.

Statute of limitations on debt in Mississippi

The statute of limitations on debt in Mississippi varies depending on the type of debt.

Here are some examples of Mississippi's statute of limitations on certain debts:

  • The statute of limitations for written contracts (e.g., credit card agreements) and promissory notes is three years.
  • The statute of limitations for oral contracts is three years.
  • The statute of limitations for open accounts (debts) is up to three years from the initial due date stated in the given account.
  • The statute of limitations for a judgment is seven years.

From the examples above, it is safe to conclude that the statute of limitations on debt in Mississippi is three years. The table below further outlines the statute of limitations on different types of debt in Mississippi.

Statute of Limitations on Debt in Mississippi
Debt Type Deadline
Credit card 3 years
Medical 3 years
Student loan 3 years
Auto loan 3 years
Personal loan 3 years
Mortgage 3 years
Judgment 7 years
Source: Miss. Code § 15-1-43 and § 15-1-49

Make the right affirmative defense with SoloSuit.

Mississippi debt collection rules and practices

In Mississippi, debt collectors must adhere to certain laws when attempting to collect the amount owed. All debt collectors must adhere to the federal Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, which specifies things they can and cannot do during debt collection practices.

For example, the Act requires debt collectors to contact debtors via phone, mail, telegram, fax, or email during reasonable hours, generally between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Any contact after the specified timeframe is considered illegal and may jeopardize the debt collection process if the debtor files a complaint against the debt collector.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act aside, Mississippi also follows federal debt collection laws that prohibit debt collectors from:

  • Harassing debtors through profanity, abuse, intimidation, violence, etc.
  • Threatening violence against anyone who might provide the information the debt collector requires to recover the amount owed.
  • Contacting debtors if they have formally informed the collection agency or debt collector that they do not wish to be contacted anymore or if their employer does not permit such contact at work (this request is usually submitted in writing).
  • Lying about who they are to intimidate the debtor and obtain the desired response.
  • Claiming to work with a government agency or any other agency other than who they are.
  • Taking any action that would lead to additional expenses for the debtor.
  • Dealing unethically or unfairly with the debtor.

Don't let debt collectors push you around. Respond with SoloSuit.

What happens if you ignore a debt collection lawsuit in Mississippi?

Being served with a debt collection lawsuit in Mississippi can be stressful, especially if you don't know where to start. And, as a result, some debtors choose to ignore the lawsuit, but this is not always the best option.

Ignoring a debt collection lawsuit does not mean that the debt collection agency will stop trying to recover the amount you supposedly owe. Instead, it gives the collector a good reason to convince the court to pass a default judgment against you.

A default judgment confirms that you actually owe the amount stated in the lawsuit and also gives the debt collector permission to use every legal means possible to recover the debt.

This could also mean enforcing a wage garnishment order against you.

Wage Garnishment Explained

Wage garnishment is an order issued by a court or government agency allowing your employer to withhold a certain amount of money from your paycheck and send it to your creditor to settle the debt.

In Mississippi, debt collectors can garnish up to 25% of your wages. And that's not all; some creditors are permitted to take even more!

So why is it not a great idea to let the debtor obtain a garnishment order against you? Here's why.

Debt collectors make a lot of computing mistakes when calculating the amount of debt owed. For example, an incorrect social security number or name could be enough to change the entire debt structure, leaving you with debt you don't owe.

So if you choose to ignore the debt collection summons because you are not ready for litigation, you may end up paying more than what you owe. For instance, if you believe you owe $10,000 but ignore the lawsuit that claims you owe $15,000 due to a computing mistake, the garnishment order will give the debt collector legal permission to recover the full $15,000 even if the extra $5000 was due to a computing error.

The same also applies if you believe you paid the debt in full and have no reason to respond to the lawsuit. Without proof that the debt has been paid, the court may decide to award the collector full permission to recover the debt through every legal means possible.

In short, ignoring a debt collection lawsuit in Mississippi might seem like the easiest option but carries some serious consequences.

Protect your wages from garnishment by responding with SoloSuit.

How to respond to a debt collections summons in Mississippi

In Mississippi, you have 30 days to respond to a debt collections lawsuit. The countdown begins from the moment you are served with the summons.

However, it is important to note that the 30-day period may also include times that the court is closed, such as federal holidays or weekends. However, if the deadline (30th day) falls on any of those days, the deadline will be pushed forward to the next business day the court is open.

The steps to respond to a Mississippi debt collection Summons are pretty straightforward but also have a lot of limitations. For example, you must adhere to strict deadlines, assert affirmative defenses, send a copy of the Answer document to the court and another to the plaintiff.

This whole process can be overwhelming, especially if you're doing it for the first time. But, for best results, you can use SoloSuit to draft an attorney-approved Answer document in three easy steps. SoloSuit is a legal web application that creates answer documents for individuals sued over debt across the United States, including Mississippi, increasing their chances of obtaining a favorable outcome.

What is Solo?

Solo makes it easy to resolve debt with debt collectors.

You can use SoloSuit to respond to a debt lawsuit, to send letters to collectors, and even to settle a debt. SoloSuit's Answer service is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your Answer. Upon completion, we'll have an attorney review your document and we'll file it for you.

SoloSettle can help you contact your debt collector or creditor and negotiate the debt to settle for less, all online. It simplifies and streamlines the process to settling your debt.

No matter where you find yourself in the debt collection process, Solo is here to help you resolve your debt.

>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit. (We can help you in all 50 states.)

How to Answer a Summons for debt collection in all 50 states

Here's a list of guides on how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in each state:

The Ultimate 50 State Guide

Debt collector guides

Are you being contacted by a debt collector? We’re making guides on how to resolve debt with each one.

Arbitration

If the thought of going to court stresses you out, you’re not alone. Many Americans who are sued for credit card debt utilize a Motion to Compel Arbitration to push their case out of court and into arbitration.

Below are some resources on how to use an arbitration clause to your advantage and win a debt lawsuit.

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a great way to legally resolve debt, but it's usually best to consider it as a last resort. Here are some bankruptcy guides to help you decide which debt resolution option is best for you.

Check your case status

Don’t have time to go to your local courthouse to check the status of your case? We’ve created state guides on how to check the status of your case throughout the US, complete with online search tools and court directories.

Credit

Debt has a big impact on your credit. Below is a list of guides on how to repair and improve your credit, even while managing major debt, along with other credit-related resources.

Debt collection FAQs

Find answers to some of our the most commonly-asked questions about debt collection below.

Debt collection documents and templates

If you're dealing with debt, these documents and templates will help you respond, protect your rights, negotiate, and resolve your debts.

Debt relief

We’ve created a specialized guide on how to find debt relief in all 50 states, complete with steps to take to find relief, state-specific resources, and more.

Debt settlement

Debt settlement is one of the most effective ways to resolve a debt and save money. We’ve created state guides on debt settlement. Find out how to settle in your state with a simple click and explore other debt settlement resources below.

Eviction

Facing an eviction? The following guides will help you navigate your situation with confidence.

Federal debt collection laws

Knowing your rights makes it easier to stand up for your rights. Below, we’ve compiled all our articles on federal debt collection laws that protect you from unfair practices.

Legal aid

Helping people find access to justice is at the heart of Solo's misison. If you're dealing with a legal debt issue, the following guides will help you through it.

Medical debt

Having a health challenge is stressful, but dealing with medical debt on top of it is overwhelming. Here are some resources on how to manage medical debt.

Personal finance

Learn how to manage your finances and overcome crushing debt. Check out our personal finance guides below.

State debt collection laws

Debt collection laws vary by state, so we have compiled a guide to each state’s debt collection laws to make it easier for you to stand up for your rights—no matter where you live.

Statute of limitations on debt

Like all debt collection laws, the statute of limitations on debt varies by state. So, we wrote guides on each state’s statutes and more.

Stop collection calls

Do you keep getting calls from an unknown number, only to realize that it’s a debt collector on the other line? If you’ve been called by any of the following numbers, chances are you have collectors coming after you, and we’ll tell you how to stop them.

Wage garnishment

Forgot to respond to your debt lawsuit? The judge may have ordered a default judgment against you, and with a default judgment, debt collectors can garnish your wages. Here are our guides on how to stop wage garnishment in your state, plus other wage garnishment resources.

The Debt Hotline

Hosted by Team Solo, The Debt Hotline breaks down debt and personal finance topics with help from attorneys, financial experts, and industry pros. We respond to real questions to help you navigate debt with knowledge and courage.

Other debt resources


It only takes 15 minutes.

And 50% of our customers' cases have been dismissed in the past.


"Finding yourself on the wrong side of the law unexpectedly is kinda scary. I started researching on YouTube and found SoloSuit's channel. The videos were so helpful, easy to understand and encouraging. When I reached out to SoloSuit they were on it. Very professional, impeccably prompt. Thanks for the service!" - Heather



Get Started

Contents

Affordable Legal Help
Trustpilot

Respond to Your Debt Lawsuit

Get your professionally reviewed Answer in minutes. No expensive lawyers needed.

loading...
Get My Answer
Affordable Legal Help
Trustpilot

Respond to Your Debt Lawsuit

Get your professionally reviewed Answer in minutes. No expensive lawyers needed.

loading...
Get My Answer
loading...
Get My Answer