Statute of limitations checker
Pick your claim type and the date it arose. We will work out your California filing deadline and how long is left.
The date of the breach, the damage or the injury — generally when you first could have sued.
Why the same facts can have different deadlines
California does not set one limitation period for "small claims." The period depends on how the claim is characterized, and the same events can often be framed more than one way. A botched repair is both a breach of the written repair contract (four years) and damage to your property (three years). A used car sold with a hidden defect is both breach of warranty and fraud.
Where more than one characterization genuinely fits, the longer period is usually the one you want — but you have to be able to plead it honestly.
The main California periods
| Claim | Period | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Written contract | 4 years | Code Civ. Proc. § 337 |
| Oral contract | 2 years | Code Civ. Proc. § 339 |
| Property damage | 3 years | Code Civ. Proc. § 338(c) |
| Fraud | 3 years | Code Civ. Proc. § 338(d) |
| Personal injury | 2 years | Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 |
| Statutory penalty | 1 year | Code Civ. Proc. § 340(a) |
What stops the clock
Filing stops it. Sending a demand letter does not, negotiating does not, and being promised payment does not — although a clear written acknowledgement of the debt can restart the period, which is a good reason to keep every message where someone admits owing you money.
This is a calculator, not advice
It does simple date arithmetic on the standard periods. It does not know about discovery rules, tolling, continuing breaches, installment contracts, claims against public entities (which have their own much shorter notice deadlines), or anything specific to your facts. If you are anywhere near a deadline, treat the result as a prompt to act, not as a ruling.
Start with a demand letter
Most California small claims cases settle before anyone sees a courtroom. The letter is free to write, and you can have us print and certified-mail it for $29.
No account needed to start. We are not a law firm and cannot give legal advice.