Sued by a debt buyer in Utah

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. Utah has no special pleading statute for debt buyers, but the court's guidance says the complaint should state the amount owed and information about the debt and any buyer/assignee, and the plaintiff must give you initial disclosures such as the charge-off summary, payment history, balance statement, and the bill of sale if a debt buyer is suing.

Time limit to sue (written contract)
6 years
Time to answer
21 days

Utah rules for debt buyer lawsuits

Utah has no special pleading statute for debt buyers, but the court's guidance says the complaint should state the amount owed and information about the debt and any buyer/assignee, and the plaintiff must give you initial disclosures such as the charge-off summary, payment history, balance statement, and the bill of sale if a debt buyer is suing.

Law: Utah Courts, Debt Collection; Utah R. Civ. P. 26

Defenses to know in Utah

Utah's time limit to sue on a written contract is 6 years, and on an open account or unwritten contract 4 years; for a credit agreement, a written acknowledgment or a payment restarts the 6 years. The court's debt collection answer form lists common affirmative defenses: not your account, contract cancelled, debt paid, and statute of limitations. If you skip affirmative defenses in your answer, you may not be able to raise them later (Utah Courts).

Law: Utah Code §§ 78B-2-309, 78B-2-307

Old debts in Utah

Utah allows 6 years to sue on a written contract. If the debt is older, say so in your answer: the court usually won't raise it for you.

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)

More on old debts at Debt Collector Map

In nearby states

What to do in Utah

  1. Look at the name

    If the name on the summons is not a company you know, it may be a debt buyer.

  2. Make them prove it

    A documents request letter asks for the contract and proof of ownership.

  3. File your answer

    Deadline in Utah: 21 days after you are served in Utah; 30 days if you were served outside Utah. Count every day, including weekends and holidays; the day you were served is day zero.

  4. List your defenses

    Say if the plaintiff hasn't shown it owns the debt, or if the debt is too old.

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

Where to get free help in Utah

Questions about debt buyer suits in Utah

What does Utah require of debt buyers who sue?

Utah has no special pleading statute for debt buyers, but the court's guidance says the complaint should state the amount owed and information about the debt and any buyer/assignee, and the plaintiff must give you initial disclosures such as the charge-off summary, payment history, balance statement, and the bill of sale if a debt buyer is suing.

What is the deadline to answer a debt suit in Utah?

21 days after you are served in Utah; 30 days if you were served outside Utah. Count every day, including weekends and holidays; the day you were served is day zero. If the last day falls on a day the court is closed, file on the next open day. If your summons says '10 days', the plaintiff has 10 days to file the case after serving you; your own deadline is still 21 (or 30) days. Small claims: go to the trial on the date set.

What is the time limit to sue in Utah?

Utah allows 6 years to sue on a written contract. If the debt is older, say so in your answer: the court usually won't raise it for you.

Keep reading about Utah

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources