The periods in Kentucky
| Claim | Period | Statute | From March 15, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written contract | 10 years | KRS 413.160 | March 15, 2036 |
| Oral contract | 5 years | KRS 413.120(1) | March 15, 2031 |
| Property damage | 2 years | KRS 413.125 | March 15, 2028 |
In Kentucky, the time limit to sue is 10 years for a written contract, 5 years for an oral contract and 2 years for damage to property. Each period runs from the date the claim arises, which statutes usually call the date the cause of action accrues; in the ordinary case that is the day of the breach or the damage.
A written contract: KRS 413.160 reads “An action upon a written contract executed after July 15, 2014, unless otherwise provided by statute, and an action for relief not provided for by statute can only be commenced within ten (10) years after the cause of action accrued.”
An oral contract: KRS 413.120(1) reads “The following actions shall be commenced within five (5) years after the cause of action accrued: (1) An action upon a contract not in writing, express or implied.”
Damage to property: KRS 413.125 reads “An action for the taking, detaining or injuring of personal property, including an action for specific recovery.”
Putting the agreement in writing adds 5 years: 10 years for a written contract against 5 years for an oral one, a ratio of 2 to 1.
Worked dates for a claim that arose on March 15, 2026: a written contract reaches its 10 years on March 15, 2036, an oral contract reaches its 5 years on March 15, 2031 and damage to property reaches its 2 years on March 15, 2028. Tolling rules (for example while a defendant is out of state, or for a minor) can extend a period, and some claims run from when the harm was discovered; the dates show the plain count only.
Among the 34 jurisdictions verified here, 0 allow longer than 10 years on a written contract and 28 allow less (median 6 years). For property damage, 0 of 33 give less than Kentucky's 2 years (median 3 years). West Virginia has the same three periods.
Neighbouring states with verified periods (written / oral / property): Missouri 10 / 5 / 5, Ohio 6 / 4 / 2, Virginia 5 / 3 / 5 and West Virginia 10 / 5 / 2. Which state's period applies to a dispute that crosses a border is itself a legal question.
A written contract executed on or before July 15, 2014 keeps the older fifteen-year period of KRS 413.090(2).
KRS 413.125 sets two years for the actions it names.
The time limit is the same whichever court hears the case. A claim of $2,500 or less can be filed in Kentucky small claims (small claims limit), and it must still be filed inside the period above.
Sources: Kentucky General Assembly, KRS 413.160; Kentucky General Assembly, KRS 413.120; Kentucky General Assembly, KRS 413.125 · last checked October 21, 2026.
Before the deadline
A limitation period is a cut-off for filing, not a measure of whether a claim is good. The guide on how limitation periods work explains accrual, tolling and the difference between written and oral contracts, and the small claims filing guide covers the next step.
Questions
What is the statute of limitations for breach of contract in Kentucky?
10 years for a written contract (KRS 413.160) and 5 years for an oral one (KRS 413.120(1)).
How long do I have to sue for property damage in Kentucky?
2 years under KRS 413.125.
When does the clock start?
When the cause of action accrues, usually the date of the breach or the damage. A claim that arose on March 15, 2026 reaches the Kentucky periods on March 15, 2036 (a written contract), March 15, 2031 (an oral contract) and March 15, 2028 (damage to property).