Maryland Debt Collection Laws
How long a creditor can sue you in Maryland, how much of your paycheck is protected, and where to get help.
Maryland debt rules at a glance
The key numbers. Details and the exact law are below.
How long can a creditor sue you in Maryland?
3 years for most debts
A civil action at law must be filed within three years unless another law sets a different period.
How much of your paycheck can be garnished?
At least 75% of your pay is protected
Maryland exempts the greater of 75% of your disposable wages or 30 times the state minimum hourly wage for each week the wages were earned.
What debt collectors can't do in Maryland
Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act
Collectors may not use or threaten force, threaten criminal prosecution, or share information that hurts your credit reputation with people who have no legitimate business need, among other banned practices.
Federal debt collection rules
Debt collectors everywhere must follow the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the CFPB's Regulation F. A collector may not sue or threaten to sue you on a debt that is past the time limit.
Collectors can't sue on expired debt
Under the federal debt collection rule (Regulation F), a debt collector must not bring or threaten to bring a lawsuit to collect a time-barred debt, meaning a debt whose statute of limitations has run out.
When a debt collector contacts you
A practical order of operations.
Don't pay or promise anything on the first call
Ask for the collector's name, company, mailing address and the amount they claim. In some states a payment or promise can affect an old debt, so check the rules above first.
Ask for validation in writing
Federal law gives you the right to a validation notice listing the debt, the creditor and your right to dispute. Dispute in writing within the validation period if the debt isn't yours or the amount is wrong.
Check the date of your last payment
Compare it with your state's time limit above. If the time limit has passed, a collector may not sue or threaten to sue you.
Never ignore a lawsuit
If you are served with court papers, respond by the deadline, even on an old debt. Being out of time is usually a defense you have to raise in court. Legal aid can help.
Report abuse
Threats, harassment and calls at odd hours break federal and state law. File complaints with your state regulator and the CFPB (links below).
Free help in Maryland
Government complaint lines and nonprofit counseling. Be wary of anyone who charges upfront fees to settle debt.
Maryland Attorney General - Consumer Protection Division
File a complaint: oag.state.md.us
CFPB complaint
File a complaint about a debt collector with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: consumerfinance.gov/complaint
Nonprofit credit counseling
Find an NFCC member agency: NFCC agency finder. If you are considering bankruptcy, use an agency on the U.S. Trustee approved list.
Links checked September 24, 2026.
Sources
Every rule on this page comes from these laws and official resources, checked on September 24, 2026. Read the current text before you act.
Primary sources
- Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. 5-101 - three-year limit
- Md. Com. Law 15-601.1 - wage exemption
- Md. Com. Law 14-202 - Consumer Debt Collection Act
- Maryland Consumer Protection complaint portal
- 12 CFR 1006.26 - Collection of time-barred debts (Regulation F)
- 15 U.S.C. 1673 - Federal limit on wage garnishment
- CFPB - Debt collection help
- FTC - Debt collection FAQs
Debt collection laws in other states →
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