Dealing With Debt Collectors in Kentucky (2026)
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Kentucky · Last updated August 13, 2026
This page explains how Kentucky law shapes your rights when a debt collector contacts you. On top of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA, 15 U.S.C. 1692), Kentucky sets its own statute of limitations on debt: ten years on a written contract executed after July 15, 2014 (KRS 413.160), fifteen years if it was executed before that date (KRS 413.090), and five years on an oral contract or open account such as a credit card (KRS 413.120). Kentucky has no standalone fair-debt-collection statute, so the FDCPA is the main rulebook, though the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act (KRS Chapter 367) can reach deceptive or unfair collection conduct. Kentucky also caps wage garnishment at 25 percent of disposable earnings (KRS 425.506) and protects a homestead and certain personal property from creditors (KRS 427.060, KRS 427.010). The Kentucky Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection handles collector complaints.
What is the statute of limitations on debt in Kentucky?
It depends on the debt type. Under KRS 413.160, a written contract executed after July 15, 2014 has a ten-year limit (fifteen years if executed before that date, KRS 413.090). An oral contract or open account such as a credit card is five years under KRS 413.120. After the period runs, a collector can still ask but generally cannot win a lawsuit.
Can a debt collector garnish my wages in Kentucky?
Only with a court judgment. Kentucky follows the federal cap under KRS 425.506: a collector can take the lesser of 25 percent of your disposable earnings or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum wage per week. A collector cannot garnish wages for an ordinary consumer debt until it sues you and wins.
How do I stop a debt collector from contacting me in Kentucky?
Send a written cease-communication letter. Under 15 U.S.C. 1692c(c), once a collector receives your letter it must stop contacting you, except to confirm it is stopping or to say it may pursue a specific remedy such as a lawsuit. Kentucky has no separate cease-contact statute, so this federal right controls. Keep proof of mailing.
What can a debt collector never do to me in Kentucky?
Under the FDCPA a collector cannot harass or abuse you, use threats or obscene language (15 U.S.C. 1692d), or lie about the debt or threaten arrest or a suit it will not file (15 U.S.C. 1692e). Deceptive or unfair collection conduct may also violate the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act (KRS Chapter 367).
How Kentucky regulates debt collectors and what they can take
Kentucky does not have a standalone fair-debt-collection statute of its own, so the federal FDCPA (15 U.S.C. 1692) is the primary rulebook governing third-party collectors and debt buyers. The Kentucky Consumer Protection Act, KRS Chapter 367, prohibits unfair, false, misleading, and deceptive acts in trade or commerce and can reach abusive or deceptive collection conduct, and it is enforced by the Kentucky Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection, reachable at (502) 696-5389 or through ag.ky.gov. On garnishment, Kentucky tracks the federal limit rather than restricting it further: under KRS 425.506 a judgment creditor may reach only the lesser of 25 percent of disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage, and no garnishment for a consumer debt is possible without first suing and winning a judgment. Kentucky also shields property: KRS 427.060 exempts up to $5,000 of equity in a homestead or burial plot, and KRS 427.010 exempts specified personal property from execution.: confirm whether Kentucky separately licenses or registers consumer debt collectors and, if so, the responsible agency.
Relevant Laws
KRS 413.160 and KRS 413.090 - Kentucky limitations on written contracts
KRS 413.160 sets a ten-year limitations period for an action on a written contract executed after July 15, 2014. KRS 413.090 provides a fifteen-year period for a written contract executed on or before that date. These deadlines determine how long a creditor has to sue you in Kentucky.
KRS 413.120 - Kentucky five-year limitations period
Sets a five-year statute of limitations for actions on an oral contract and for liabilities not otherwise fixed by statute. In Kentucky this five-year period commonly governs open accounts, including credit card debt, unless the account is founded on a signed written contract.
KRS 425.506 and KRS 427.060 - Kentucky garnishment and homestead exemption
KRS 425.506 caps garnishment of earnings at the lesser of 25 percent of disposable earnings or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum wage per week. KRS 427.060 exempts up to $5,000 of equity in a homestead or burial plot from execution, attachment, or judgment for most debts.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), 15 U.S.C. 1692-1692p
The core federal statute governing third-party debt collectors, which applies in full in Kentucky because the state has no standalone fair-debt-collection act. It bars harassment (1692d), false representations (1692e), and unfair practices (1692f), and creates the debt validation right (1692g).
Regional Variances
Kentucky statute of limitations by debt type
Written contract (executed after July 15, 2014)
Ten years under KRS 413.160. The 2014 amendment shortened the period from fifteen years to ten for written contracts executed on or after July 15, 2014. This can cover loan agreements and other signed written debts.
Written contract (executed before July 15, 2014)
Fifteen years under KRS 413.090. Written contracts executed on or before July 15, 2014 keep the older fifteen-year limitations period, so the execution date of the contract determines the deadline.
Oral contract
Five years under KRS 413.120, which governs actions on a contract not in writing. The clock generally runs from when the cause of action accrues, such as the date of breach or default.
Open account / credit card
Commonly five years under KRS 413.120, treated as an open account or a liability not otherwise fixed by statute. If the account is founded on a signed written agreement, a longer written-contract period under KRS 413.160 or KRS 413.090 may apply instead.
Promissory note
: confirm the Kentucky limitations period for a promissory note (negotiable instrument) and the exact statute cite before relying on it. A negotiable instrument may be governed by Kentucky's UCC Article 3 limitations rules rather than KRS 413.160 or 413.120.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Confirm the Kentucky statute of limitations on your debt
Before you pay, settle, or promise anything days after startingIdentify your debt type and the applicable Kentucky deadline: ten years for a written contract executed after July 15, 2014 (KRS 413.160), fifteen years if executed before (KRS 413.090), or five years for an oral contract or open account (KRS 413.120). A payment or written acknowledgment can restart the clock.
Read the collector's validation notice and diary the 30-day deadline
Within 5 days of first contact days after startingConfirm the collector sent the Regulation F validation notice (12 CFR 1006.34) identifying the creditor, amount, and your dispute rights. Note the date you received it and calendar the 30-day window to dispute in writing under 15 U.S.C. 1692g.
Send a written debt validation letter
Within 30 days of receiving the validation notice days after startingIf you do not recognize the debt or the amount looks wrong, mail a written dispute and request for verification within the 30-day window. This forces the collector to stop collecting until it mails you proof of the debt. Keep proof of delivery.
Send a cease-and-desist letter if you want contact to stop
As soon as you decide to stop contact days after startingUnder 15 U.S.C. 1692c(c), a written cease-communication letter requires the collector to stop contacting you once received, except to confirm it is stopping or to state it may pursue a specific remedy. Kentucky has no separate cease-contact statute, so this federal right controls.
File a complaint with the Kentucky Attorney General and the CFPB
Within 1 year of any FDCPA violation days after startingComplain to the Kentucky Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection at ag.ky.gov or (502) 696-5389, which enforces the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act (KRS Chapter 367). Also file with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Because 15 U.S.C. 1692k generally requires suit within one year, consult an attorney promptly.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirm the Kentucky statute of limitations on your debt | Identify your debt type and the applicable Kentucky deadline: ten years for a written contract executed after July 15, 2014 (KRS 413.160), fifteen years if executed before (KRS 413.090), or five years for an oral contract or open account (KRS 413.120). A payment or written acknowledgment can restart the clock. | - | Before you pay, settle, or promise anything |
| Read the collector's validation notice and diary the 30-day deadline | Confirm the collector sent the Regulation F validation notice (12 CFR 1006.34) identifying the creditor, amount, and your dispute rights. Note the date you received it and calendar the 30-day window to dispute in writing under 15 U.S.C. 1692g. | - | Within 5 days of first contact |
| Send a written debt validation letter | If you do not recognize the debt or the amount looks wrong, mail a written dispute and request for verification within the 30-day window. This forces the collector to stop collecting until it mails you proof of the debt. Keep proof of delivery. | debt-validation-letter | Within 30 days of receiving the validation notice |
| Send a cease-and-desist letter if you want contact to stop | Under 15 U.S.C. 1692c(c), a written cease-communication letter requires the collector to stop contacting you once received, except to confirm it is stopping or to state it may pursue a specific remedy. Kentucky has no separate cease-contact statute, so this federal right controls. | cease-and-desist-letter | As soon as you decide to stop contact |
| File a complaint with the Kentucky Attorney General and the CFPB | Complain to the Kentucky Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection at ag.ky.gov or (502) 696-5389, which enforces the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act (KRS Chapter 367). Also file with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Because 15 U.S.C. 1692k generally requires suit within one year, consult an attorney promptly. | - | Within 1 year of any FDCPA violation |
Frequently Asked Questions
Credit card debt is generally treated as an open account in Kentucky, with a five-year limitations period under KRS 413.120. If your account rests on a signed written contract, a longer period can apply: ten years for a written contract executed after July 15, 2014 (KRS 413.160), or fifteen years if executed before that date (KRS 413.090). Because the classification affects the deadline, an attorney can help you confirm which applies.
Kentucky has no standalone fair-debt-collection statute, so the federal FDCPA (15 U.S.C. 1692) is the primary law governing third-party collectors. However, the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act (KRS Chapter 367) bars unfair, false, misleading, and deceptive acts in trade or commerce and can reach deceptive collection conduct. The Kentucky Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection enforces that Act.
Only after suing and obtaining a judgment, and even then limits apply. KRS 427.060 exempts up to $5,000 of equity in your homestead or burial plot from execution for most debts. A collector may try to garnish a bank account, but exempt funds such as certain Social Security deposits are protected under federal law. An attorney can help you claim your exemptions.
Yes. Under 15 U.S.C. 1692c(c), if you tell a collector in writing to cease communication, it must stop contacting you once it receives the letter, except to confirm it is stopping or to state it may pursue a specific remedy such as a lawsuit. A cease-communication letter stops contact but does not cancel the debt or prevent a suit.
Yes. Under 15 U.S.C. 1692k you can sue a collector that violates the FDCPA, generally within one year of the violation, and recover actual damages, statutory damages up to $1,000, and attorney's fees and costs. Deceptive conduct may also support a claim under the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act (KRS Chapter 367). An attorney can evaluate your options.
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