Statute of Limitations in New Mexico
How long do you have to file a lawsuit in New Mexico? In New Mexico, the statute of limitations is 3 years for personal injury, 6 years for written contracts and 3 years for defamation; most other civil claims fall between 3 and 6 years. Every period below is linked to its official New Mexico statute.
This tool provides estimates for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Limitation periods depend on discovery rules, tolling, statutes of repose, and the specific facts. Always verify against the cited statute or consult a New Mexico attorney.
New Mexico statute of limitations by claim type
Every New Mexico civil deadline below is quoted from the statute and linked to its official text. Verified Jun 13, 2026 against the official New Mexico statutes (codes.findlaw.com).
| Claim type | Limitation period | Statute | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal injury | 3 years | N.M. Stat. § 37-1-8 | |
| Wrongful death | 3 years | N.M. Stat. § 41-2-2 | 3 years from death |
| Written contract | 6 years | N.M. Stat. § 37-1-3 | written contract; oral 4 yrs (§ 37-1-4) |
| Oral contract | 4 years | N.M. Stat. § 37-1-4 | |
| Property damage | 4 years | N.M. Stat. § 37-1-4 | |
| Medical malpractice | 3 years | N.M. Stat. § 41-5-13 | 3 yrs from the act (occurrence-based; minors under 6 have until age 9) |
| Defamation (libel/slander) | 3 years | N.M. Stat. § 37-1-8 | |
| Debt collection | 4 years | N.M. Stat. § 37-1-4 |
Enter a date of incident in the lookup above to estimate your exact filing deadline and add a reminder to your calendar.
New Mexico deadlines at a glance
In New Mexico, civil filing deadlines run from 3 years (personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice and defamation) to 6 years (written contract). Its 3 years personal-injury deadline is longer than in most states.
Several New Mexico claims carry specific accrual, discovery, or repose rules worth noting:
- Wrongful death (3 years): 3 years from death (N.M. Stat. § 41-2-2).
- Written contract (6 years): written contract; oral 4 yrs (§ 37-1-4) (N.M. Stat. § 37-1-3).
- Medical malpractice (3 years): 3 yrs from the act (occurrence-based; minors under 6 have until age 9) (N.M. Stat. § 41-5-13).
New to limitation periods? Read what a statute of limitations is: how the clock accrues, the discovery rule, and tolling.
The most-searched New Mexico deadlines
- Personal injury & car accidents: 3 years. Injury claims must be filed within 3 years of the incident (N.M. Stat. § 37-1-8).
- Debt: 4 years. Most debt is time-barred after 4 years (N.M. Stat. § 37-1-4). A payment or written acknowledgment can restart the clock, so respond to a collector with a validation or dispute letter. Find a letter template →
- Defamation: 3 years. Libel and slander (N.M. Stat. § 37-1-8).
- Contracts: 6 years. Written agreements (N.M. Stat. § 37-1-3).
Count the exact filing date
A limitation period gives you the year; the deadline calculator counts the precise date (answer windows, court days, and holidays included) and exports it to your calendar.
Open the New Mexico deadline calculator →New Mexico statute of limitations FAQ
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What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in New Mexico?
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