Sued by a debt buyer in Washington

What a debt buyer must file and prove, old debts as a defense, and how to ask for the papers.

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. Until December 31, 2026: a debt buyer must attach to the complaint the signed contract (or, for a credit card without one, the last monthly statement showing a purchase, payment or other credit, plus the terms and conditions if it sues for breach of contract), and must state in the complaint that it buys charged-off debts, the date it bought the debt, who sold it, that it may have paid less than the amount claimed, and that the suit is within the time limit.

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

Washington rules for debt buyer lawsuits

  • Until December 31, 2026: a debt buyer must attach to the complaint the signed contract (or, for a credit card without one, the last monthly statement showing a purchase, payment or other credit, plus the terms and conditions if it sues for breach of contract), and must state in the complaint that it buys charged-off debts, the date it bought the debt, who sold it, that it may have paid less than the amount claimed, and that the suit is within the time limit.
  • Before a default judgment it must give the court business-record evidence of the original account number, original creditor, charge-off balance, later additions, last payment date and every assignment in an unbroken chain of ownership.
  • Starting with cases filed on or after January 1, 2027, the Uniform Consumer Debt Default Judgments Act applies to all consumer debt lawsuits: the complaint must list details such as the original creditor, the last four digits of the account, the dates of last payment and charge-off, an itemized amount, and facts showing proper venue and that the suit is within the time limit; it must attach proof of the debt (and the full chain of ownership for purchased debt) and a Consumer Notice.
  • Without these, the court may refuse a default judgment.
  • A collection agency must also prove it is licensed in Washington to sue, except on a default.

Law: RCW 19.16.260(2); RCW 4.74.030, 4.74.040, 4.74.050, 4.74.904; RCW 19.16.260(1)

Defenses you can raise in Washington

Defenses must be raised in your answer, and some (such as lack of jurisdiction, improper venue, or bad service) can be raised by motion. Defenses from Washington law include: the 6-year time limit for written contracts and accounts receivable has run, and suing on a time-barred debt is a prohibited practice for collection agencies; the debt buyer did not attach the required documents or proof of ownership; the collection agency is not licensed; and you were served before the case was filed.

Law: CR 12(b); CRLJ 12(b); RCW 4.16.040; RCW 19.16.250(23); RCW 19.16.260(2); from 2027, RCW 4.74.030; RCW 19.16.260(1); RCW 19.16.250(27)

Old debts in Washington

In Washington, the time limit to sue on a written contract is 6 years. A debt older than that can be a defense, but you must raise it 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)

More on old debts at Debt Collector Map

In nearby states

What to do in Washington

  1. Find the plaintiff

    A company you never dealt with may have bought the debt. Its name is on the summons.

  2. Ask for the paperwork

    Send a documents request letter to the plaintiff's lawyer.

  3. File your answer

    Deadline in Washington: 20 days after you are served, not counting the day you were served.

  4. Use the rules

    Point out any missing proof of ownership or amount.

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 Washington

Questions about debt buyer suits in Washington

What does Washington require of debt buyers who sue?

Until December 31, 2026: a debt buyer must attach to the complaint the signed contract (or, for a credit card without one, the last monthly statement showing a purchase, payment or other credit, plus the terms and conditions if it sues for breach of contract), and must state in the complaint that it buys charged-off debts, the date it bought the debt, who sold it, that it may have paid less than the amount claimed, and that the suit is within the time limit. Before a default judgment it must give the court business-record evidence of the original account number, original creditor, charge-off balance, later additions, last payment date and every assignment in an unbroken chain of ownership. Starting with cases filed on or after January 1, 2027, the Uniform Consumer Debt Default Judgments Act applies to all consumer debt lawsuits: the complaint must list details such as the original creditor, the last four digits of the account, the dates of last payment and charge-off, an itemized amount, and facts showing proper venue and that the suit is within the time limit; it must attach proof of the debt (and the full chain of ownership for purchased debt) and a Consumer Notice. Without these, the court may refuse a default judgment. A collection agency must also prove it is licensed in Washington to sue, except on a default.

How long do I have to answer a debt lawsuit in Washington?

20 days after you are served, not counting the day you were served. In superior court, it is 60 days if you were served in person outside Washington. If you were served by publication, it is 60 days from the first publication.

How old is too old for a debt buyer suit in Washington?

In Washington, the time limit to sue on a written contract is 6 years. A debt older than that can be a defense, but you must raise it in your answer.

More for Washington

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources