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Debt Collection Practices by State
Simplified educational summary — not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for active collection lawsuits or garnishment threats.
Statute of Limitations: Written contracts 6 years; open accounts 6 years.
Key Law: Alabama Code Title 6 + FDCPA. Written cease-contact requests must be honored.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25% of disposable earnings after judgment.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 3 years.
Key Law: Alaska Stat. § 09.10.053. State rules supplement the FDCPA.
Wage Garnishment: Lesser of 25% disposable income or amount exceeding 30× federal minimum wage.
Statute of Limitations: Written contracts 6 years; open accounts 3 years.
Key Law: A.R.S. § 12-543. Arizona Consumer Fraud Act provides additional remedies.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25%; stronger anti-garnishment protections for certain workers.
Statute of Limitations: Written contracts 5 years; open accounts 3 years.
Key Law: Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-111. Arkansas Collection Agency Act governs licensed collectors.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25% of disposable earnings after judgment.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 4 years.
Key Law: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 337. Rosenthal FDCPA — one of the nation's strongest, covering original creditors too.
Wage Garnishment: Lesser of 25% or 50% above California minimum wage equivalent.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 6 years.
Key Law: C.R.S. § 13-80-103.5. Colorado FDCPA mirrors federal law.
Wage Garnishment: Lesser of 25% or amount exceeding 40× state minimum wage.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 6 years.
Key Law: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-576. Collectors must be licensed by the Banking Commissioner.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25%; additional protections for low-income earners.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 3 years.
Key Law: Del. Code tit. 10, § 8106. Consumer Protection Act provides civil remedies.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 15% — one of the more consumer-favorable rates nationally.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 5 years.
Key Law: Fla. Stat. § 95.11. Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act (FCCPA) is broader than federal FDCPA.
Wage Garnishment: Head-of-household wages largely exempt; otherwise up to 25%.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 6 years.
Key Law: O.C.G.A. § 9-3-24. Georgia Fair Business Practices Act can apply to unfair collection.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25%; bank accounts also subject to garnishment post-judgment.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 6 years.
Key Law: H.R.S. § 657-1. Hawaii Collection Practices Act regulates in-state collection.
Wage Garnishment: Tiered — 5% on first $100, 10% on next $100, 20% above that.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 5 years.
Key Law: 735 ILCS 5/13-205. Illinois Collection Agency Act — licensing, bonding, strict conduct rules.
Wage Garnishment: Lesser of 15% gross weekly wages or amount exceeding 45× federal minimum — better than federal law.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 5 years.
Key Law: Iowa Code § 614.1. Iowa Debt Collection Practices Act supplements federal law.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25% or amount above 30× federal minimum wage.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 5 years.
Key Law: KRS § 413.120. Consumer Protection Act provides remedies for deceptive practices.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25%; certain low-income worker exemptions apply.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 3 years — one of the shortest nationally.
Key Law: La. R.S. § 9:5807. No separate state collection act; federal FDCPA governs.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25%; Louisiana provides broad consumer wage protections in the South.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 3 years.
Key Law: Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101. Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act requires licensure.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25%; 75% of wages exempt in most circumstances.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 6 years.
Key Law: M.G.L. c. 260 § 2. Massachusetts Debt Collection Regulations (209 CMR 18.00) — among the nation's most robust.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 15% of gross wages.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 6 years.
Key Law: M.C.L. § 600.5807. Michigan Regulation of Collection Practices Act applies state rules to all collectors.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25%; certain hardship exemptions may apply.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 5 years.
Key Law: RSMo § 516.120. Merchandising Practices Act covers deceptive collection.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25%; mirrors federal garnishment limits closely.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 5 years.
Key Law: Mont. Code Ann. § 27-2-202. Consumer Protection Act broadly covers deceptive practices.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25%; head-of-household exemptions apply.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 5 years.
Key Law: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-205. Consumer Protection Act covers unfair practices.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25%; follows federal guidelines closely.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 6 years.
Key Law: NRS § 11.190. Nevada Collection Agency Licensing Act requires licensing and regulates conduct.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25%; family support exemption available.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 3 years.
Key Law: RSA 382-A:3-118. Consumer Protection Act broadly prohibits unfair trade practices.
Wage Garnishment: NH does NOT allow wage garnishment by most creditors — one of only a few such states.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 6 years.
Key Law: N.J.S.A. § 2A:14-1. Consumer Fraud Act — treble damages for deceptive collection.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 10% of gross wages — among the most consumer-friendly rates nationally.
Statute of Limitations: Written contracts 6 years; open accounts 4 years.
Key Law: NMSA § 37-1-3. Unfair Practices Act can apply to deceptive collection.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25%; 75% of wages protected in most circumstances.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 6 years. Restricts re-aging; requires disclosure on time-barred debt.
Key Law: CPLR § 213. NYC Local Law 15 adds even stricter city-level rules.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 10% of gross wages — one of the strongest protections nationally.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 3 years.
Key Law: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52. NC Debt Collection Act — applies to more entities than FDCPA.
Wage Garnishment: NC does NOT permit wage garnishment by most commercial creditors.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 6 years.
Key Law: N.D. Cent. Code § 28-01-16. No separate state collection act; FDCPA governs.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25%; follows federal law closely.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 6 years.
Key Law: Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.07. Consumer Sales Practices Act broadly covers abusive collection.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25%; low-income worker exemptions available.
Statute of Limitations: Written contracts 5 years; open accounts 3 years.
Key Law: Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95. Consumer Protection Act applies to deceptive collection.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25%; head-of-household exemption may apply.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 6 years.
Key Law: ORS § 12.080. Unlawful Debt Collection Practices Act — one of the strongest in the West.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25%; minimum-wage earners are protected.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 4 years.
Key Law: 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5525. Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act — significant consumer protections.
Wage Garnishment: PA does NOT permit wage garnishment by most creditors.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 10 years — one of the longest nationally.
Key Law: R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13. Federal FDCPA governs; longer SOL means older debts stay collectible longer.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25%; certain hardship exemptions may apply.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 6 years.
Key Law: SDCL § 15-2-13. No separate state collection act; FDCPA governs.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 20% — slightly more favorable than federal law.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 6 years.
Key Law: Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109. Consumer Protection Act prohibits unfair or deceptive acts in commerce.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25%; head-of-household exemption for qualifying individuals.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 4 years.
Key Law: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.004. Texas Debt Collection Act — broader than FDCPA. White Jacobs & Associates is headquartered in Plano, Texas.
Wage Garnishment: Texas does NOT allow wage garnishment by most creditors — among the strongest consumer protections nationally.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 6 years.
Key Law: 12 V.S.A. § 511. Consumer Protection Act provides attorney fees for deceptive collection.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 15% — more favorable than the federal 25% limit.
Statute of Limitations: Written contracts 5 years; open accounts 3 years.
Key Law: Va. Code § 8.01-246. Consumer Protection Act prohibits fraudulent or deceptive practices.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25%; follows federal rules closely.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 6 years.
Key Law: RCW § 4.16.040. Collection Agency Act + Consumer Protection Act — robust protection stack.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25% or amount above 35× state minimum wage — among the most consumer-friendly formulas.
Statute of Limitations: Written contracts 10 years; open accounts 5 years.
Key Law: W. Va. Code § 55-2-6. Consumer Credit and Protection Act — strong state-level rules.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 20%; additional hardship protections available.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 6 years.
Key Law: Wis. Stat. § 893.43. Wisconsin Consumer Act — often exceeds federal law protections.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 20%; broader debtor protections in the Midwest.
Statute of Limitations: Written and open accounts 8 years — one of the longer limits.
Key Law: Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105. Consumer Protection Act can apply to deceptive collection.
Wage Garnishment: Up to 25%; follows federal guidelines.
Start With A Free Credit Review
White Jacobs & Associates helps consumers review credit reports, understand what may be inaccurate or unverifiable, and prepare disputes when appropriate. Your consultation helps determine the best next step.
Credit outcomes vary. No specific results are guaranteed. Consumers may dispute credit information directly with bureaus at no cost.
White Jacobs and Associates provides credit-related assistance services designed to help consumers review credit reports and prepare disputes when appropriate. Consumers may dispute credit report information directly with credit bureaus at no cost. Credit outcomes vary, and no specific results are guaranteed.