Debt Collector Map · 48 state guides

Debt collectors

A collector is calling or suing you: how long they have to sue, how much of your pay is protected, collector licensing and free letters to dispute a debt or stop the calls.

What it is

Debt collectors must follow the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the CFPB's Regulation F in every state, and many states add their own rules. A collector must send you a validation notice, and you can dispute the debt in writing. Each state limits how long a creditor or collector has to sue you on a debt and how much of your pay can be garnished after a judgment, and many states license collectors. If you are sued, you have a short deadline to answer.

Who it helps

  • People getting calls or letters from a debt collector
  • People sued over a credit card, medical or other consumer debt
  • People with an old debt that may be too old to sue on
  • People whose wages are being garnished

Go straight to your state's guide

Opens Debt Collector Map, part of RobinClaim. Or see every topic for your state:

Across the country

48state guides checked against official sources so far (the other states are listed with links to the CFPB's debt collection pages)
3–10 yearstime limit to sue on a written contract: shortest in Alaska, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland and 3 more, longest in Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana and 4 more
3states where wages generally can't be garnished for ordinary consumer debts: Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas
28states that require debt collectors to have a state license

Figures from Debt Collector Map's state data, checked Oct 2026.

Guides and comparison tables

All of Debt Collector Map: every state, tools and guides.

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