Sued by a debt buyer in Maryland
Debt buyers must prove they own the debt. Here is what the state requires.
Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026.
Short answer
A debt buyer is a company that bought an old debt and now sues to collect it. A debt buyer (or a collector working for one) may not even file a consumer debt lawsuit unless it has all of these documents, and it cannot win at trial (unless the case ends in a judgment on affidavit) without putting them into evidence: proof the debt exists (a document you signed, or bills or records showing your use of the card or account); the original terms and conditions (with a narrow exception for some bank credit cards); a list of every prior owner with transfer dates and authenticated bills of sale that specifically mention your debt; the original creditor's name, your name, the last 4 digits of the account number; charge-off date and balance, an itemization of added fees and of payments since charge-off, and the date of your last payment; and its Maryland collection agency license numbers.
- Time limit to sue (written contract)
- 3 years
- Time to answer
- 15 days
Maryland rules for debt buyer lawsuits
A debt buyer (or a collector working for one) may not even file a consumer debt lawsuit unless it has all of these documents, and it cannot win at trial (unless the case ends in a judgment on affidavit) without putting them into evidence: proof the debt exists (a document you signed, or bills or records showing your use of the card or account); the original terms and conditions (with a narrow exception for some bank credit cards); a list of every prior owner with transfer dates and authenticated bills of sale that specifically mention your debt; the original creditor's name, your name, the last 4 digits of the account number; charge-off date and balance, an itemization of added fees and of payments since charge-off, and the date of your last payment; and its Maryland collection agency license numbers.
What can defeat the claim in Maryland
Maryland's time limit to sue on a consumer debt is 3 years, and after it runs out, a payment or promise does not revive the debt. A debt buyer that does not have the required documents may not start the lawsuit at all. Being served improperly, being sued in the wrong county, or being sued for more than $30,000 in District Court are procedural defenses (Maryland Courts).
Law: Cts. & Jud. Proc. §§ 5-101, 5-1202; § 5-1203(a)
Time limits and debt buyers in Maryland
A written-contract debt in Maryland must be sued on within 3 years. Raise an older debt as a defense in your answer.
A debt collector must not sue you, or threaten to sue you, on a debt that is too old to sue on.
Law: 12 CFR 1006.26(b)
In nearby states
Steps against a debt buyer suit in Maryland
Look at the name
A company you never dealt with may have bought the debt. Its name is on the summons.
Ask for the paperwork
Send a documents request letter to the plaintiff's lawyer.
Answer on time
In Maryland: District Court: file the Notice of Intention to Defend within 15 days after you receive the summons (60 days if you live out of state).
Raise every defense
Point out any missing proof of ownership or amount.
Get help
Free help: Maryland Court Help Center (free legal help by phone and chat) and Maryland Legal Aid.
Federal rules in every state
- Where a collector must sue. A debt collector that sues you over a consumer debt must file where you signed the contract or where you live when the suit starts. Law: 15 U.S.C. 1692i(a)(2)
- If the collector broke the law. You can sue a debt collector that broke the federal debt collection law within 1 year, for your losses, up to $1,000 more and your lawyer's fees. Law: 15 U.S.C. 1692k
Free help in Maryland
Questions about debt buyer suits in Maryland
What must a debt buyer prove in Maryland?
A debt buyer (or a collector working for one) may not even file a consumer debt lawsuit unless it has all of these documents, and it cannot win at trial (unless the case ends in a judgment on affidavit) without putting them into evidence: proof the debt exists (a document you signed, or bills or records showing your use of the card or account); the original terms and conditions (with a narrow exception for some bank credit cards); a list of every prior owner with transfer dates and authenticated bills of sale that specifically mention your debt; the original creditor's name, your name, the last 4 digits of the account number; charge-off date and balance, an itemization of added fees and of payments since charge-off, and the date of your last payment; and its Maryland collection agency license numbers.
How many days do I get to answer in Maryland?
District Court: file the Notice of Intention to Defend within 15 days after you receive the summons (60 days if you live out of state). A counterclaim can be filed within 10 days after that deadline. Circuit Court: the summons states your deadline.
What is the time limit to sue in Maryland?
A written-contract debt in Maryland must be sued on within 3 years. Raise an older debt as a defense in your answer.
Related Maryland pages
Sources
- Maryland Courts – What to Do if You Are Sued in District Court
- Maryland Courts – Judgments and Debt Collection
- Maryland Courts – Service of process
- Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-1203 (debt buyer documents)
- Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 11-107 (judgment interest)
- Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 11-106 (loan judgments: contract rate)
- Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-102 (12 years for judgments)
- Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 11-504 (exemptions)
- Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 4-401 (District Court jurisdiction)
- Maryland Appellate Court opinion discussing the 30-day revisory rule (Rule 2-535(b), parallel to 3-535)
- Md. Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 5-1202
Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.