How long you have in Indiana
Every kind of claim has its own window, counted from the day the clock started. Miss it and the court usually cannot hear the claim.
| Kind of claim | Agreement | Window | Counted from | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unpaid Invoice | In writing | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ind. Code §34-11-2-9 |
| Unpaid Loan | In writing | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ind. Code §34-11-2-9 |
| Contractor Dispute | In writing | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ind. Code §34-11-2-9 |
| Auto Repair | In writing | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ind. Code §34-11-2-9 |
| Security Deposit | In writing | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ind. Code §34-11-2-9 |
| Other | In writing | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ind. Code §34-11-2-9 |
| Unpaid Invoice | Spoken or by conduct | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ind. Code §34-11-2-7(1) |
| Unpaid Loan | Spoken or by conduct | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ind. Code §34-11-2-7(1) |
| Contractor Dispute | Spoken or by conduct | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ind. Code §34-11-2-7(1) |
| Auto Repair | Spoken or by conduct | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ind. Code §34-11-2-7(1) |
| Security Deposit | Spoken or by conduct | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ind. Code §34-11-2-7(1) |
| Other | Spoken or by conduct | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ind. Code §34-11-2-7(1) |
| Property Damage | Either | 2 years | the day the damage happened | Ind. Code §34-11-2-4(a) |
| Sale of Goods | Either | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Ind. Code §26-1-2-725(1) |
Worked example
If the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken was 2026-03-15, a window of 6 years runs out on 2032-03-15. That is the same arithmetic the check uses: calendar months, clamped to the end of the month, and no roll forward to the next court day.
More about Indiana
Common questions
- How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in Indiana?
- The shortest window is 2 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under Ind. Code §34-11-2-4(a). Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.
- How long do you have on a property damage claim in Indiana?
- 2 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under Ind. Code §34-11-2-4(a).
- How long do you have on a sale of goods claim in Indiana?
- 4 years, counted from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken, under Ind. Code §26-1-2-725(1).
- How much can you claim in small claims court in Indiana?
- An individual can claim up to $10,000. A business can claim up to $10,000. A public agency can claim up to $10,000. That comes from Ind. Code §33-29-2-4.
Verify with your court
Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open Indiana's small claims page and confirm anything you are about to rely on.
Open the court's small claims pageVerified on 2026-09-05, sources:
Verified on 2026-09-05, sources: Rules effective from 2025-07-01.
- Ind. Code §34-11-2-9 · effective 2024-07-01 · A claim on a promissory note or other written agreement to pay money must be filed within six years of when it was broken. Some written agreements that are not about paying money have a longer window; the court's self-help office can say which applies.
- Ind. Code §34-11-2-7(1) · effective 1998-07-01 · A claim on an account or a spoken agreement must be filed within six years of when it was broken.
- Ind. Code §34-11-2-4(a) · effective 1998-07-01 · A claim for damage to your belongings or vehicle must be filed within two years of the damage. Damage to land or a building has a longer window; this is the shorter one.
- Ind. Code §26-1-2-725(1) · effective 1986-09-01 · A claim about a sale of goods must be filed within four years of the breach.
FairSquare assembles documents and explains your court's rules. It is not a substitute for advice about your situation.