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Wide view of the stone steps and tall columns of a classic American county courthouse on an overcast morning

How to sue your lawyer, state by state.

Each state sets its own deadline, its own proof rules, and its own programs for fee disputes and stolen client money. Find yours.

Compare all deadlines
The Heflin-Torbert Judicial Building, home of the Supreme Court of Alabama, in Montgomery

Alabama

2 years to sue a lawyer

The Alaska State Capitol in Juneau

Alaska

3 years to sue a lawyer

The Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix

Arizona

2 years to sue a lawyer

The Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock

Arkansas

3 years to sue a lawyer

The California State Capitol in Sacramento

California

1 year from discovery (4 years max) to sue a lawyer

The Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center, home of the Colorado Supreme Court, in Denver

Colorado

2 years to sue a lawyer

The Connecticut Supreme Court building in Hartford

Connecticut

3 years to sue a lawyer

The Delaware Supreme Court building on The Green in Dover

Delaware

3 years to sue a lawyer

The United States Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C.

District of Columbia

3 years to sue a lawyer

The Florida Supreme Court building in Tallahassee

Florida

2 years from discovery to sue a lawyer

The Nathan Deal Judicial Center, home of the Supreme Court of Georgia, in Atlanta

Georgia

4 years from the breach to sue a lawyer

Aliiolani Hale, home of the Hawaii Supreme Court, in Honolulu

Hawaii

6 years from discovery to sue a lawyer

The Idaho Supreme Court building in Boise

Idaho

2 years from the act (once some damage occurs) to sue a lawyer

The Illinois Supreme Court Building in Springfield

Illinois

2 years from discovery, 6-year repose to sue a lawyer

The Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis

Indiana

2 years from discovery to sue a lawyer

The Iowa Judicial Branch Building, home of the Iowa Supreme Court, in Des Moines

Iowa

5 years from injury and discovery to sue a lawyer

The Kansas Judicial Center, home of the Kansas Supreme Court, in Topeka

Kansas

2 years from injury, 10-year repose to sue a lawyer

The Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort

Kentucky

1 year from occurrence or discovery to sue a lawyer

The Louisiana Supreme Court building on Royal Street in New Orleans

Louisiana

1 year from the act or discovery, 3 years max to sue a lawyer

The Maine State House in Augusta

Maine

6 years from the act or omission to sue a lawyer

The Maryland State House in Annapolis, seen from Francis Street

Maryland

3 years from discovery to sue a lawyer

The John Adams Courthouse, home of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, in Boston

Massachusetts

3 years from discovery of appreciable harm to sue a lawyer

The Michigan Hall of Justice, home of the Michigan Supreme Court, in Lansing

Michigan

2 years from last day of service, or 6 months from discovery to sue a lawyer

The Minnesota Judicial Center, home of the Minnesota Supreme Court, in Saint Paul

Minnesota

6 years from when some damage occurs to sue a lawyer

The Carroll Gartin Justice Building, home of the Supreme Court of Mississippi, in Jackson

Mississippi

3 years from discovery to sue a lawyer

The Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City

Missouri

5 years from ascertainable damage to sue a lawyer

The Montana State Capitol in Helena

Montana

3 years from discovery, 10 years max to sue a lawyer

The Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln

Nebraska

2 years to sue a lawyer

The Supreme Court of Nevada building in Carson City

Nevada

2 years from discovery or 4 years from damage, whichever is earlier to sue a lawyer

The New Hampshire Supreme Court building in Concord

New Hampshire

3 years to sue a lawyer

The New Jersey State House in Trenton

New Jersey

6 years to sue a lawyer

The New Mexico State Capitol, known as the Roundhouse, in Santa Fe

New Mexico

4 years to sue a lawyer

Court of Appeals Hall, home of the New York Court of Appeals, in Albany

New York

3 years to sue a lawyer

The Law and Justice Building, home of the Supreme Court of North Carolina, in Raleigh

North Carolina

3 years from the last act to sue a lawyer

The North Dakota State Capitol in Bismarck

North Dakota

2 years to sue a lawyer

The Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center, home of the Supreme Court of Ohio, in Columbus

Ohio

1 year to sue a lawyer

The Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma

2 years to sue a lawyer

The Oregon Supreme Court Building in Salem

Oregon

2 years from discovery to sue a lawyer

The Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg

Pennsylvania

2 years (4 years for contract claims) to sue a lawyer

The Licht Judicial Complex, home of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, in Providence

Rhode Island

3 years to sue a lawyer

The South Carolina Supreme Court building in Columbia

South Carolina

3 years from discovery to sue a lawyer

The South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre

South Dakota

3 years from the act to sue a lawyer

The Tennessee Supreme Court Building in Nashville

Tennessee

1 year from discovery to sue a lawyer

The Texas State Capitol in Austin

Texas

2 years to sue a lawyer

The Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City

Utah

4 years to sue a lawyer

The Vermont Supreme Court building in Montpelier

Vermont

6 years (3 for personal injury harm) to sue a lawyer

The Supreme Court of Virginia building in Richmond

Virginia

3 years (5 years on a written contract signed by the lawyer) to sue a lawyer

The Washington State Legislative Building at the state capitol in Olympia

Washington

3 years from discovery to sue a lawyer

The West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston

West Virginia

2 years (tort); contract claims may have longer periods to sue a lawyer

The Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison

Wisconsin

3 years from discovery (tort) to sue a lawyer

The Wyoming Supreme Court Building in Cheyenne

Wyoming

2 years from the act (discovery exception) to sue a lawyer

State photographs from Wikimedia Commons under free licenses; credits on each state page.