Statute of Limitations in Kansas
State-specific overview · Contract Law
Kansas sets most civil claims at three years, with longer periods for real property and contract disputes.
How Kansas treats Statute of Limitations
Kansas generally allows three years to file suit for personal injury, property damage, and most tort claims under K.S.A. § 60-513. Written contracts have a five-year deadline, while oral contracts allow four years. Real property actions follow different timelines depending on the claim type, with some extending much longer for boundary or title disputes.
The general definition of Statute of Limitations
A law setting the maximum time period within which a lawsuit can be filed after an injury or breach occurs.
Every type of legal claim has a deadline. Once that deadline passes, you lose the right to sue, even if you have a valid claim. The statute of limitations varies depending on the type of case—contract disputes might have a different deadline than personal injury claims, for example. These time limits exist to protect defendants from being sued years or decades after an event, when evidence may be lost and memories fade. Once the deadline expires, the claim is essentially dead, and courts will dismiss any lawsuit filed after that point.
Read the full Statute of Limitations entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Kansas.