The Deadline for Filing—New York Statute of Limitations for a Breach of Contract
Have you reconsidered your decision not to pursue a breach of contract case? If you would like to make the other party fulfill the contractual terms after a few years, you need to check the New York statute of limitations for a breach of contract first.
Before determining the time limit for filing a lawsuit, you should check out other options to compensate for losses you have suffered because of the breach.
Breach of Contract Statute of Limitations in New York
You need to file a lawsuit for a breach of contract before the statute of limitations expires.
The New York statute of limitations for a breach of contract is six years. It means that if you do not initiate legal proceedings within this filing deadline, a court will not accept your claim.
Keep in mind that the statute of limitations starts from the date of the breach (when the offense was committed), not from the date you discovered it.
It means that the six-year time limit is counted from the moment when either:
- A payment was due, or
- The debtor, i.e., the breaching party, made the most recent payment
Is There a Way To Get Around the Statute of Limitations for a Breach of Contract in New York?
There is usually no way to get around the statute of limitations, i.e.:
- You have to file a lawsuit at court within six years of the breach of contract in New York
- There is almost nothing even an experienced lawyer can do for you if this legal deadline has passed
Keep in mind that some exceptions could extend or toll the statute of limitations, e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic. In this case, executive orders need to be issued.
The Elements of a Breach of Contract in New York
If you have determined that the statute of limitations for a breach of contract in New York has not expired yet, you need to make sure you meet other requirements as well.
You should start by confirming the following breach of contract elements:
| Elements of a Breach of Contract | Details |
|---|---|
| Formation of the contract | To prove that a valid contract exists, you should show it consists of:
|
| Plaintiff’s performance | You—i.e., the plaintiff—must prove that you have performed your contractual obligations |
| Defendant’s failure to perform | You should provide evidence that the breaching party—i.e., the defendant—has failed or refused to fulfill the terms of the contract |
| Resulting damage | When filing a lawsuit, you need to specify what damage you or your business has suffered as a result of the breach |
If the above-listed elements are fulfilled, you can:
- Sue the defendant for a material, anticipatory, or some other type of breach
- Seek and receive damages or other remedies to compensate for your losses
Keep in mind that the other party might try to raise affirmative defenses that might prolong the legal process and contest your claim.
Is Suing the Best Option?
As litigation can be complex, expensive, and time-consuming, you should try to reach an out-of-court settlement with the other party. You can do that by creating a breach of contract demand letter that should include the following:
- Facts regarding the agreement you have entered into
- A reminder of the contractual terms that:
- You have honored
- The breaching party has not fulfilled
- A solution to the problem
When drafted carefully, this letter improves your chances to resolve the dispute directly with the other party without involving judges and pricey attorneys. To ensure success, register for DoNotPay to receive an airtight demand letter.
DoNotPay Helps You Create a Demand Letter
You do not need the services of costly lawyers and debt collectors to draw up a demand letter and seek damages.
While using online templates might seem useful if you would like to prepare the letter by yourself, you should inspect them carefully. Some are too generic and will not meet legal and case-specific requirements.
Our AI-powered app is familiar with relevant state laws and can generate a demand letter for you in a matter of minutes. The process is quick and straightforward—sign up for DoNotPay and:
- Start typing Client Breach of Contract
- Enter information about the contract and breaching party
- Choose a new payment or delivery deadline
- Describe the performed services
- Provide documents that could support your claim (if available)
In case the other party does not respond or informs you they do not want to discuss the issue, you should start legal proceedings. DoNotPay can also provide assistance with this step as we can help you sue in small claims court.
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