Debt relief in Utah: collection rules, time limits and your options
Updated November 9, 2026
Utah at a glance (checked November 2026)
| Utah | |
|---|---|
| Time limit to sue on credit cards | 4 years as an open account; 6 years with a written contract |
| Wage garnishment for consumer debt | Up to 25% of take-home pay; nothing if you take home $217.50 a week or less |
| State debt collection law | None of its own; the federal law applies |
| Who licenses debt collectors | No state license since 2023 |
| Where to complain | Utah Division of Consumer Protection, and the CFPB |
Debt collection rules in Utah
Utah used to make collection agencies register and post a bond, but it repealed that rule in 2023. Collectors don't need a state license, so the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is your main protection. A third-party collector can't call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., threaten arrest or a lawsuit it doesn't plan to file, or misstate what you owe. It must send you a validation notice, and if you dispute the debt in writing within 30 days, it has to stop until it verifies the debt.
Utah does regulate companies that sell debt help. Debt management providers must register with the Division of Consumer Protection under the Uniform Debt-Management Services Act (Utah Code 13-42) and be accredited.
How long creditors have to sue
- 6 years for a written contract (Utah Code 78B-2-309).
- 4 years for an open account or a debt that isn't in writing, counted from your last charge or payment (78B-2-307).
Utah courts haven't settled which limit applies to credit cards, and it can depend on the paperwork the lender can show. A payment or a written promise to pay can sometimes restart the clock, so get advice before paying anything on a very old debt. Once the time limit has run, a collector can still ask you to pay but can't sue you or threaten to.
If you're sued, you have 21 days after you're served to file an answer, or 30 days if you were served outside Utah. Some papers are called a "10-day summons." Those 10 days are the creditor's deadline to file the case with the court, not yours, and your 21 days still count from the day you were served.
What can be garnished in Utah
Utah follows the federal limit for consumer debts. A creditor with a judgment can take the lesser of 25% of your take-home pay or the amount you earn above $217.50 a week, which is 30 times the federal minimum wage (Utah Code 70C-7-103).
Child support and taxes follow separate rules. Social Security and other federal benefits stay protected from ordinary creditors, even after they're deposited in your bank account.
Ways out of debt in Utah
- Nonprofit credit counseling can combine your card payments into one debt management plan, usually at lower rates. Check that the agency is registered with the Division of Consumer Protection before you sign up.
- Smallest balance or highest rate first? Our snowball vs. avalanche calculator shows which order gets you out of debt sooner.
- Debt settlement companies can't charge you a fee until they've actually settled a debt, under federal rules. Forgiven amounts can count as taxable income.
- Bankruptcy: Utah makes you use its own exemption list rather than the federal one, including a homestead exemption that rises with inflation each year. A bankruptcy attorney can tell you what you would keep.
Where to get help or complain
- Utah Division of Consumer Protection takes complaints online, or call 801-530-6601 or 1-800-721-7233.
- Utah Courts self-help on debt collection explains how to answer a debt lawsuit and which forms to use.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau takes complaints about collectors and lenders nationwide.
- Utah Legal Services gives free legal help to people with low incomes; call 801-328-8891.
General information about Utah law, not legal advice. Checked November 2026.