Expert: Ray A Miller - 9/9/2010

Question
I am being advised that I have a balance of $920 from Grambling State University from fall 1998.  I just got the information when I requested a transcript from the school.  Is there a statute of limitation for a balance from a school/college.  Grambling is in the state of Louisiana and not the Louisiana Dept of Justice has the account, again I am just finding this out this year, actually July of 2010, almost twelve years later.  Am I still responsible for this balance?

Answer
A statute of limitations is a statute, or law, that restricts the period of time, after certain events, that a person may initiate legal proceedings.  These time limits vary depending on the type of case and the state where the particular cause of action occurred.  After the time limit has passed, the injured person no longer has the right to sue to recovery money damages, unless a legal exception applies.   Please contact a qualified Louisiana lawyer to find out how a statute of limitations applies to your situation.

Put simply, the statute of limitations bars any legal collection activity after a specific period of time.  It does not prohibit the school from holding your transcripts until the bill is paid.

I hope you will find this information helpful.