Old Debts And Time Limits
Civ. Prac. 16.004 — four years for a debt, two for an injury
Texas sets how long after a cause of action accrues a suit may be brought. For a debt it is four years, and four years also applies to fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and specific performance of a contract to convey real property.
| The claim | The limitations period |
|---|---|
| The claimDebt, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty | The limitations periodFour years after the cause of action accrues |
| The claimAn open or stated account between merchants | The limitations periodFour years after the dealings between the parties cease |
| The claimPersonal injury, property damage, conversion, and eviction suits | The limitations periodTwo years after the cause of action accrues |
| The claimWrongful death | The limitations periodTwo years after the death |
| The claimAny action with no express period, other than to recover real property | The limitations periodFour years |
Other chapters set their own periods, such as two years under the consumer protection act. Exceptions and when a cause of action accrues are in other sections not set out here, and whether a period has run on a particular claim is a question for the court.
Sources for this section (4)
- Civ. Prac. 16.004 — Four year limitations period
- Civ. Prac. 16.003 — Two year limitations period
- Civ. Prac. 16.051 — Residual limitations period
- Bus. & Com. 17.565 — Limitation
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Texas attorney.