Can I be sued for a time-barred debt?

Yes, you can be sued for a time-barred debt in Washington. A time-barred debt is a debt that is past the Statute of Limitations (SOL). The SOL in Washington is usually six years for most consumer debts, though the time frame can be different for some types of debt. Under Washington Consumer Debt Defense Law, debt collectors often cannot sue you for a time-barred debt unless the debt collector has successfully obtained a court judgment against you for the debt. If the debt collector has already obtained a court judgment, they may try to collect the debt from you, despite the debt being time-barred. You should know that simply making a payment on a time-barred debt can reset the SOL. This means the debt collector might have more time to try to collect the debt from you. Also, reporting the debt on your credit report could hurt your credit score. If you receive a lawsuit or collection notice for a time-barred debt, you should contact a consumer rights attorney as soon as possible. They can review the SOL and advise you on the best way to proceed. If you decide to dispute the debt, they can also provide legal assistance. It’s important to understand that Washington Consumer Debt Defense Law protects you from being sued for a time-barred debt, but it does not provide a total defense. You may still be responsible for the debt if a debt collector does obtain a court judgment against you.

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