How long you have in Missouri
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 Loan | In writing | 10 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | RSMo 516.110(1) |
| Unpaid Loan | Spoken or by conduct | 5 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | RSMo 516.120(1), (4) |
| Unpaid Invoice | Either | 5 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | RSMo 516.120(1), (4) |
| Contractor Dispute | Either | 5 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | RSMo 516.120(1), (4) |
| Auto Repair | Either | 5 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | RSMo 516.120(1), (4) |
| Security Deposit | Either | 5 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | RSMo 516.120(1), (4) |
| Other | Either | 5 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | RSMo 516.120(1), (4) |
| Property Damage | Either | 5 years | the day the damage happened | RSMo 516.120(1), (4) |
| Sale of Goods | Either | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | RSMo 400.2-725(1) |
Worked example
If the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken was 2026-03-15, a window of 10 years runs out on 2036-03-15. 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 Missouri
Common questions
- How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in Missouri?
- The shortest window is 4 years, counted from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken, under RSMo 400.2-725(1). Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.
- How long do you have on a property damage claim in Missouri?
- 5 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under RSMo 516.120(1), (4).
- How long do you have on a sale of goods claim in Missouri?
- 4 years, counted from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken, under RSMo 400.2-725(1).
- How much can you claim in small claims court in Missouri?
- An individual can claim up to $5,000. A business can claim up to $5,000. A public agency can claim up to $5,000. That comes from RSMo 482.305(1).
Verify with your court
Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open Missouri'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 2011-08-28.
- RSMo 516.110(1) · effective 1939-08-28 · A claim on a signed written promise to pay money must be filed within ten years of when the payment was missed.
- RSMo 516.120(1), (4) · effective 1939-08-28 · A claim based on an agreement, and a claim for damage to your property, must each be filed within five years. A signed written promise to pay money has a longer ten-year window.
- RSMo 400.2-725(1) · effective 1963-08-28 · 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.