# Massachusetts statute of limitations on debt

> In Massachusetts, the statute of limitations on a written contract is 6 years under G.L. c. 260, § 2. Periods for oral contracts, open accounts and promissory notes.

- Source: https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/massachusetts/
- Publisher: Otto — https://ottoforfirms.com
- Updated: 2026-09-01

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In Massachusetts, the statute of limitations on a written contract is 6 years under G.L. c. 260, § 2.

**Rule.** A written contract claim in Massachusetts must be brought within 6 years.

**Authority.** [G.L. c. 260, § 2](https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleV/Chapter260/Section2)

| Contract type | Limitations period |
| --- | --- |
| Written contract | 6 yr |
| Oral contract | 6 yr |
| Open account | — |
| Promissory note | — |

## What the statute says

> Actions of contract, other than those to recover for personal injuries, founded upon contracts or liabilities, express or implied, except actions limited by section one or actions upon judgments or decrees of courts of record of the United States or of this or of any other state of the United States, shall, except as otherwise provided, be commenced only within six years next after the cause of action accrues.

— [G.L. c. 260, § 2](https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleV/Chapter260/Section2)

## When does the clock start?

Six years "next after the cause of action accrues" (c. 260, § 2). For the narrow mutual-account category, G.L. c. 260, § 6 (https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleV/Chapter260/Section6) provides: "In an action of contract brought to recover the balance due upon a mutual and open account current, the cause of action shall be held to have accrued at the time of the last item proved in the account."

## What pauses it?

Chapter 260 §§ 7 through 12 address disability, absence from the commonwealth and related suspensions. Neither pass fetched those sections and their terms are not characterized here. The revival provisions §§ 13 and 14 were fetched and are quoted in the notes.

Last reviewed 2026-07-26

## Related

- [Connecticut statute of limitations](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/connecticut/) — Neighbouring jurisdiction — written contract, oral contract, open account and promissory note.
- [New Hampshire statute of limitations](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/new-hampshire/) — Neighbouring jurisdiction — written contract, oral contract, open account and promissory note.
- [New York statute of limitations](https://ottoforfirms.com/statute-of-limitations/new-york/) — Neighbouring jurisdiction — written contract, oral contract, open account and promissory note.

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---

This is an informational reference, not legal advice, and using it creates no attorney-client relationship. Limitations periods turn on facts this page cannot know — which state's law governs, the contract type, when the claim accrued, and whether anything tolled or revived it. Confirm against the primary source and your own counsel before acting.