Contract Glossary
Statute of Limitations
Definition
The statute of limitations is your deadline to sue. Miss it, and your claim is dead, no matter how strong it is. For contract disputes, the window is typically 3-6 years depending on the state, but your contract might shorten it.
In Practice
A contractor did shoddy renovation work on your office in 2021. You discover the problems in 2024. In New York, the statute of limitations for breach of a written contract is 6 years, so you have until 2027 to file. In California, it's 4 years, you'd need to file by 2025. Some contracts include a clause shortening the limitation to 1 year. If you signed one, your window might already be closed.
Common in these contract types
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Frequently asked questions
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