Statute of limitations
The deadline, set by each state, for a creditor or collector to sue you over a debt.
After the statute of limitations passes, a collector can't sue or threaten to sue, though it can still ask you to pay. The time limit depends on your state and the type of debt.
In some states, a partial payment or a written promise to pay can restart the clock. Check your state's rules before you pay on a very old debt.