Missouri Civil Statute of Limitations Laws
By Olivia Wathne, Esq. | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff | Last reviewed January 06, 2025
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States impose time limits for filing a civil lawsuit, known as statutes of limitations, to ensure the efficiency of the legal process. The Missouri statutes of limitations also apply to criminal charges, setting a specific limitation period for prosecutors to bring legal action against a suspect.
While all states, including the state of Missouri, have statutes of limitations for filing civil actions, these time frames can vary depending on the type of legal action. Also, courts generally don't start the clock on the statute of limitations until an injury is discovered or should have been reasonably discovered.
Missouri Civil Statutes of Limitations at a Glance
Statutes of limitations help preserve the integrity of evidence and witness testimony. In most states, the time limit for filing a lawsuit is between one and four years. In Missouri, the statutes of limitations allow plaintiffs up to five years to file lawsuits for personal injury, defamation, medical malpractice, injury to property, trespassing, and enforcement of written contracts.
But, courts allow a maximum of 10 years to discover an injury. In cases involving wrongful death, Missouri typically gives a three-year window to file a lawsuit. The longest time limit, 10 years, is for civil suits related to fraud, rent collection, debt collection, and judgments.
The following table lists all these time limits for civil cases in Missouri, with links to more sources. See FindLaw's section on Injury Law Basics to learn more about the process of filing an injury action.
| Injury to person | Five years (§516.120) |
|---|---|
| Libel/slander | Two years (§516.140) |
| Fraud | 10 years (§516.120(5)) |
| Injury to personal property | Five years (§516.120(4)) |
| Professional malpractice | For medical malpractice claims, the statute of limitations is two years from discovery. A maximum of 10 years is allowed. (§516.105) |
| Trespass on real estate | Five years (§516.120(3)) |
| Collection of rents | 10 years (§516.110(3)) |
| Contracts | |
| Collection of debt on account | For collection of debt on an account, where there is an agreement in writing, the statute of limitations is 10 years. (§516.10(1)) |
| Judgments | 10 years (§516.350) |
Disclaimer: State laws are constantly changing. Contact a Missouri personal injury attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state laws you are researching.
Research the Law
Review the following resources for more information about laws in Missouri, including those related to statutes of limitations:
- Missouri Law — links to all laws in the state, including those related to statutes of limitations.
- Official State Codes — links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
- Lawsuits: A Practical Guide
- Missouri Criminal Statute of Limitation Laws
- Missouri Negligence Laws
Learn More About Missouri Civil Statutes of Limitations from a Lawyer
Missouri's civil statutes of limitations vary depending on the circumstances of the case and the cause of action involved. Suppose you're dealing with a personal injury claim or business-related injury and aren't sure how to file a lawsuit. In that case, it's best to contact a personal injury lawyer near you for legal advice or a case evaluation.
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