West Virginia
In West Virginia, the statute of limitations on a written contract is 10 years under W. Va. Code § 55-2-6.
Rule
A written contract claim in West Virginia must be brought within 10 years.
- Written contract
- 10 yr
- Oral contract
- 5 yr
- Open account
- 5 yr
- Promissory note
- 5 yr
What the statute says
Every action to recover money, which is founded upon an award, or on any contract other than a judgment or recognizance, shall be brought within the following number of years next after the right to bring the same shall have accrued ... if it be upon any other contract in writing under seal, within ten years; if it be upon an award, or upon a contract in writing, signed by the party to be charged thereby, or by his agent, but not under seal, within ten years; and if it be upon any other contract, express or implied, within five years
When does the clock start?
The applicable number of years runs 'next after the right to bring the same shall have accrued' — for contract claims, on breach.
What pauses it?
Infancy or insanity at accrual, measured from removal of the disability but capped at 20 years from accrual (§ 55-2-15(b)); obstruction of the prosecution of the right by the defendant departing the state, absconding, concealing himself, or 'any other indirect ways or means' (§ 55-2-17); and a one-year period to refile after an involuntary dismissal not on the merits or a reversal (§ 55-2-18).
Last reviewed 2026-07-26
This is an informational reference, not legal advice, and using it creates no attorney-client relationship. Limitations periods turn on facts this page cannot know — which state's law governs, the contract type, when the claim accrued, and whether anything tolled or revived it. Confirm against the primary source and your own counsel before acting.