Alaska Statute of Limitations on Debt

George Simons | October 19, 2022

Edited by Hannah Locklear

According to Wallethub, Alaska has the least sustainable credit card debt in the United States. If you've fallen behind in your financial obligations, it's best to learn more about debt relief options to get creditors and debt collection agencies off your back.

In some cases, debt collectors may contact you to pursue payment after the statute of limitations has expired. The statute of limitations is a set period a creditor can file a lawsuit against you when you fail to honor the debt's terms of the agreement.

Use SoloSuit to make the right affirmative defense and win your debt collection lawsuit.

What is the statute of limitations on debt in Alaska?

The statute of limitations on debt in Alaska depends on the type of debt. Here are the four most common types of debts in Alaska:

Oral Agreements

If you borrowed money from a creditor and agreed to pay it back after a given period, but the agreement wasn't in writing, this is considered an oral agreement. Oral agreements are difficult to prove compared to written agreements and are not common between traditional lenders and borrowers. Instead, this type of debt usually exists between friends or family members.

Written Contracts

Written contracts are common between traditional lenders and borrowers. They're easy to prove because of the existence of a record detailing the lending agreement between the creditor and borrower. Written contracts usually include the following details:

• the purpose of the loan;
• applicable interest;
• amount of money borrowed;
• date of borrowing;
• when the borrower should make payments to the debt account;
• how the payments should be made.

To validate a written contract and make it binding, both the creditor and borrower must sign the written contract, accepting the loan's terms. Examples of written contracts today include medical debt and vehicle loans.

Promissory Notes

Promissory notes are just like written contracts, but they're less detailed. Moreover, only the borrower needs to sign a promissory note to make it enforceable. For instance, when you take a mortgage or student loan, you'll be required to sign a promissory note.

Open-Ended Accounts

This type of account has a pre-approved credit limit, allowing the borrower to carry an outstanding revolving balance they can repeatedly use to a specific preset limit.

If you've opened an open-ended account with a financial institution, you'll be required to pay a minimum balance after a given period to continue accessing the credit. Failure to make the minimum balance payment by the due date means you've defaulted. When that happens, you can no longer access the credit. Credit cards, home equity loans, and personal lines of credit are examples of popular open-ended accounts.

Below is a list of the statute of limitations for most debts in Alaska:

• Medical debt – 3 years;
• Mortgage debt – 3 years;
• Auto loan debt – 3 years;
• Credit card debt – 3 years;
• State tax debt – 6 years;
• Auto loan debt – 4 years.

Make the right defense the right way with SoloSuit.

When does the Alaska statute of limitations clock start ticking?

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the statute of limitations starts when you last made a payment to the debt account.

If you have an old, time-barred debt, the statute of limitations prevents creditors from taking legal action against you. However, creditors can still use other means to pursue repayment for the debt.

Even if the statute of limitations has expired, that won't stop debt collectors from contacting you about the debt. However, the law prohibits creditors and debt collection agencies from using unfair or deceptive tactics to force you to repay the debt. Such tactics include:

• threatening you with criminal charges;
• calling you between 9 pm and 8 am without your permission;
• sending you deceptive documents with no real legal bearing;
• harassment, abuse, or intimidation;
• contacting you at your place of work if your employer prohibits such action.

Respond to a debt collection lawsuit in 15 minutes with SoloSuit.

How to make a debt collector stop contacting you

Any debt collector who uses deceptive tactics violates the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). In that case, the best thing to do is to send them a cease-and-desist letter asking the debt collector to cease all forms of communication. Remember to keep a copy of the letter to yourself as proof that you asked them to stop contacting you.

After the debt collection agency receives your letter, they can only contact you to confirm that they will stop contacting you or inform you of the next course of action they intend to take.

However, when a debt collector stops contacting you, it doesn't mean you're off the hook for the debt. The debt can still appear on your credit report if the debt collector reports you to a collection agency. This will make it difficult for you to acquire loans in the future, such as car loans and mortgages.

If the debt collector plans to file a lawsuit against you, you need to respond to the lawsuit in good time, even if you don't think you owe the debt or can't repay it immediately. SoloSuit is the best legal software to use when you're not sure how to respond to a debt collections lawsuit in Alaska.

This software will create an answer document on your behalf. It will then send a copy of the answer document to the court where the plaintiff filed the lawsuit and another to the plaintiff. And if you need an attorney to review the answer document to ensure it meets all legal requirements, SoloSuit does that at a small fee.

Dont let debt collectors push you around. Respond with SoloSuit.

Should you pay a time-barred debt?

If you're unsure if the debt is time-barred, send the debt collection agency a letter asking them to verify the debt. The debt collection company should respond with records showing when you defaulted on the loan.

After receiving the debt verification letter, contact the Alaska state attorney general's office and ask them about the statute of limitations on your debt. Ensure you mention the type of debt you owe the debt collector. If the statute of limitations has expired, your unpaid debt is considered time-barred, and the debt collector can't seek legal action against you.

When asking the debt collector to provide records about the debt, it's not advisable to acknowledge in writing that you owe the debt. Acknowledging you owe the debt will reset the statute of limitations clock and begin a new statute of limitations period. As a result, the debt collector can file a lawsuit against you.

The decision on whether to pay a time-barred debt or not entirely depends on your preferences. You can either pay nothing, pay off the debt or make a partial payment. However, remember that making a partial payment on a time-barred debt resets the statute of limitations clock. Therefore, the debt collection agency can file a lawsuit against you to recover the full amount owed.

What is SoloSuit?

SoloSuit makes it easy to respond to a debt collection lawsuit.

How it works: SoloSuit is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your answer. Upon completion, you can either print the completed forms and mail in the hard copies to the courts or you can pay SoloSuit to file it for you and to have an attorney review the document.

>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit: A Student Solution To Give Utah Debtors A Fighting Chance

How to answer a summons for debt collection in your state

Heres a list of guides for other states.

All 50 states.

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri

Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah; File a Motion to Satisfy Judgment Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Guides on how to beat every debt collector

Being sued by a different debt collector? Were making guides on how to beat each one.

• Absolute Resolutions Investments LLC
• Accredited Collection Services
• Alliance One
• Amcol Clmbia
• American Recovery Service
• Asset Acceptance LLC
• Asset Recovery Solutions
• Associated Credit Services
• Autovest LLC
• Cach LLC
• Cavalry SPV I LLC
• Cerastes LLC
• Colinfobur
• Covington Credit
• Crown Asset Management
• CTC Debt Collector
• Cypress Financial Recoveries
• Delanor Kemper & Associates
• Eagle Loan of Ohio
• Educap
• Estate Information Services
• FIA Card Services
• Forster & Garbus
• Freshview Solutions
• Fulton Friedman & Gullace LLP
• Harvest Credit Management
• Howard Lee Schiff
• Hudson & Keyse LLC
• Integras Capital Recovery LLC
• Javitch Block
• Jefferson Capital Systems LLC
• LVNV Funding
• Mannbracken
• Mariner Finance
• Medicredit
• Michael J Adams PC
• Michael J Scott
• Midland Funding LLC
• Mullooly, Jeffrey, Rooney & Flynn
• Mountain Land Collections
• MRS Associates
• National Collegiate Trust
• Nationstar Foreclosure
• Northstar Capital Acquisition
• NCEP LLC
• NRC Collection Agency
• OneMain Financial
• Palisades Collection LLC
• Pallida LLC
• Paragon Revenue Group
• Pinnacle Collections Agency
• PMAB LLC
• Portfolio Recovery Associates
• Provest Law
• PYOD LLC
• Reunion Student Loan Finance Corporation
• Revenue Group
• Regents and Associates
• RSIEH
• Salander Enterprises LLC
• Second Round Sub LLC
• Security Credit Services
• Sherman Financial Group
• Suttell and Hammer
• T-Mobile
• Transworld Systems
• Tulsa Teachers Credit Union
• UCB Collection
• Velo Law Office
• Velocity Investments
• Waypoint Resource Group
• Weinberg and Associates
• Wolpoff & Abramson

Win against credit card companies

Is your credit card company suing you? Learn how you can beat each one.

• Bank of America
• Capital One
• Chase
• Credit One Bank
• PayPal Synchrony Card
• SYNCB/PPEXTR
• Synchrony Bank
• Target National Bank
• Wells Fargo

Going to Court for Credit Card Debt — Key Tips

How to Negotiate Credit Card Debts

How to Settle a Credit Card Debt Lawsuit — Ultimate Guide

Get answers to these FAQs

Need more info on statutes of limitations? Read our 50-state guide.

Why do debt collectors block their phone numbers?

How long do debt collectors take to respond to debt validation letters?

What are the biggest debt collector companies in the US?

Is Zombie Debt Still a Problem in 2019?

SoloSuit FAQ

If a car is repossessed, do I still owe the debt?

Is Portfolio Recovery Associates Legit?

Is There a Judgment Against Me Without my Knowledge?

Should I File Bankruptcy Before or After a Judgment?

What is a default judgment?— What do I do?

Summoned to Court for Medical Bills — What Do I Do?

What Happens If Someone Sues You and You Have No Money?

What Happens If You Never Answer Debt Collectors?

What Happens When a Debt Is Sold to a Collection Agency

What is a Stipulated Judgment?

What is the Deadline for a Defendants Answer to Avoid a Default Judgment?

Can a Judgement Creditor Take my Car?

Can I Settle a Debt After Being Served?

Can I Stop Wage Garnishment?

Can You Appeal a Default Judgement?

Do I Need a Debt Collection Defense Attorney?

Do I Need a Payday Loans Lawyer?

Do student loans go away after 7 years? — Student Loan Debt Guide

Am I Responsible for My Spouses Medical Debt?

Should I Marry Someone With Debt?

Can a Debt Collector Leave a Voicemail?

How Does Debt Assignment Work?

What Happens If a Defendant Does Not Pay a Judgment?

How Does Debt Assignment Work?

Can You Serve Someone with a Collections Lawsuit at Their Work?

What Is a Warrant in Debt?

How Many Times Can a Judgment be Renewed in Oklahoma?

Can an Eviction Be Reversed?

Does Debt Consolidation Have Risks?

What Happens If You Avoid Getting Served Court Papers?

Does Student Debt Die With You?

Can Debt Collectors Call You at Work in Texas?

How Much Do You Have to Be in Debt to File for Chapter 7?

What Is the Statute of Limitations on Debt in Washington?

How Long Does a Judgment Last?

Can Private Disability Payments Be Garnished?

Can Debt Collectors Call From Local Numbers?

Does the Fair Credit Reporting Act Work in Florida?

The Truth: Should You Never Pay a Debt Collection Agency?

Should You Communicate with a Debt Collector in Writing or by Telephone?

Do I Need a Debt Negotiator?

What Happens After a Motion for Default Is Filed?

Can a Process Server Leave a Summons Taped to My Door?

Learn More With These Additional Resources:

Need help managing your finances? Check out these resources.

How to Make a Debt Validation Letter - The Ultimate Guide

How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration Without an Attorney

How to Stop Wage Garnishment — Everything You Need to Know

How to File an FDCPA Complaint Against Your Debt Collector (Ultimate Guide)

Defending Yourself in Court Against a Debt Collector

Tips on you can to file an FDCPA lawsuit against a debt collection agency

Advice on how to answer a summons for debt collection.

Effective strategies for how to get back on track after a debt lawsuit

New Hampshire Statute of Limitations on Debt

Sample Cease and Desist Letter Against Debt Collectors

The Ultimate Guide to Responding to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Utah

West Virginia Statute of Limitations on Debt

What debt collectors cannot do — FDCPA explained

Defending Yourself in Court Against Debt Collector

How to Liquidate Debt

Arkansas Statute of Limitations on Debt

Youre Drowning in Debt — Heres How to Swim

Help! Im Being Sued by My Debt Collector

How to Make a Motion to Vacate Judgment

How to Answer Summons for Debt Collection in Vermont

North Dakota Statute of Limitations on Debt

ClearPoint Debt Management Review

Indiana Statute of Limitations on Debt

Oregon Eviction Laws - What They Say

CuraDebt Debt Settlement Review

How to Write a Re-Aging Debt Letter

How to Appear in Court by Phone

How to Use the Doctrine of Unclean Hands

Debt Consolidation in Eugene, Oregon

Summoned to Court for Medical Bills? What to Do Next

How to Make a Debt Settlement Agreement

Received a 3-Day Eviction Notice? Heres What to Do

How to Answer a Lawsuit for Debt Collection

Tips for Leaving the Country With Unpaid Credit Card Debt

Kansas Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection

How to File in Small Claims Court in Iowa

How to File a Civil Answer in Kings County Supreme Court

Roseland Associates Debt Consolidation Review

How to Stop a Garnishment

Debt Eraser Review

Do Debt Collectors Ever Give Up?

Can They Garnish Your Wages for Credit Card Debt?

How Often Do Credit Card Companies Sue for Non-Payment?

How Long Does a Judgement Last?

​​How Long Before a Creditor Can Garnish Wages?

How to Beat a Bill Collector in Court