Nebraska Debt Collection Laws | Debt Collector Map

Your federal rights

These federal rules apply in Nebraska and every other state. Nebraska's own law, below, can add more.

Who the federal law covers. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) covers debt collectors who collect for someone else and companies that buy debts, not usually the original creditor collecting its own debt (15 U.S.C. 1692a(6)). Some state laws also cover original creditors.
A validation notice. A collector must give you a validation notice, in its first message or within 5 days after it, with the amount, the creditor and how to dispute (15 U.S.C. 1692g(a); 12 CFR 1006.34).
Your right to dispute. If you dispute the debt in writing within the validation period (30 days after you get the notice), the collector must stop collecting until it mails you verification (15 U.S.C. 1692g(b); 12 CFR 1006.38).
When collectors can contact you. No calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. your time, or at work if your employer doesn't allow it (15 U.S.C. 1692c(a)). More than 7 calls in 7 days about one debt is presumed to break the law (12 CFR 1006.14(b)(2)).
Telling a collector to stop. If you tell a collector in writing to stop contacting you, it must stop, except to tell you it is ending collection or will take a specific step such as a lawsuit (15 U.S.C. 1692c(c)).
What collectors can't do. No threats, obscene language, false statements (for example pretending to be a lawyer or the government, or threatening arrest) and no unfair practices such as collecting fees your contract doesn't allow (15 U.S.C. 1692d, 1692e, 1692f). A collector generally can't discuss your debt with your family, neighbors or employer (15 U.S.C. 1692c(b)).

Read how to dispute a debt or stop collector calls.

Nebraska law and extra protections

State law: Nebraska Collection Agency Act (a licensing law; Nebraska has no separate state fair debt collection practices act)
Law: Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 45-601 to 45-622
Covers original creditors: No
Extra protections: Collection agencies must be licensed by the Collection Agency Licensing Board; operating without a license is a crime (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 45-601).
A creditor collecting its own accounts under a different name that suggests a third party counts as a collection agency and needs a license (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 45-602(2)(b)).
Can you sue under it?: The Collection Agency Act does not give consumers a damages claim in the sections reviewed. You can sue a debt collector under the federal FDCPA for actual damages, up to $1,000 extra, and attorney's fees (15 U.S.C. § 1692k).
Official text: Read the law

Old debts in Nebraska

Written contracts: 5 years
Open accounts and unwritten agreements: 4 years
Does a payment restart the clock?: Yes. A voluntary payment of principal or interest, or a written acknowledgment or promise to pay, starts the time limit over (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-216).
Must collectors say a debt is too old?: No Nebraska rule found. Under federal Regulation F, a debt collector may not sue you or threaten to sue you on a time-barred debt (12 C.F.R. § 1006.26(b)).
Law: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-205 (written: 5 years); § 25-206 (not in writing: 4 years); § 25-216
Official text: Read the law

The time limit is the statute of limitations. Once it runs out, the debt is “time-barred”: a collector must not sue or threaten to sue you, but the debt still exists. Read more about time-barred debt.

Is my debt too old? Check Nebraska's time limit

Every state limits how long a creditor or collector has to sue you over a debt. This is the statute of limitations. Choose your state, the type of debt and the date of your last payment to see the limit and an estimated end date. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.

Wage garnishment and bank accounts in Nebraska

Wage limit: Stricter for a head of family: no more than 15% of disposable earnings a week. Others: same as federal (25%, or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum wage, whichever is less). Not for support, Chapter 13 or tax orders.
Head of household: 15% cap if you actually support and maintain one or more relatives or dependents (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-1558(1)(c), (4)(d)). Courts must grant the exemption without further proceedings (§ 25-1558(3)).
Law: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-1558

Federal benefits such as Social Security, SSI and VA benefits that were directly deposited are protected in your bank account up to two months' worth (31 CFR 212.6). A creditor usually needs a court judgment before it can garnish your wages or bank account.

Property you can keep in Nebraska

Homestead up to $120,000 (raised by LB1195 in 2024) (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 40-101). A motor vehicle up to $5,000 (§ 25-1556(1)(e)) and $5,000 of other personal property you choose, except wages (§ 25-1552). The Department of Revenue adjusts these personal property amounts for inflation every 5 years starting 2023, so current amounts may be higher.

Collector licensing in Nebraska

License required: Yes
Who licenses: Nebraska Collection Agency Licensing Board (Nebraska Secretary of State); licensing through NMLS
Check a license: Official license lookup

Medical debt in Nebraska

No law found. LB779 (2026), which would have capped medical-debt interest at 3% and barred liens or foreclosure on a primary residence for medical debt, was indefinitely postponed on April 17, 2026.

If you are sued in Nebraska

Time to answer: County or district court civil case: serve an answer within 30 days after you are served (Neb. Ct. R. Pldg. § 6-1112). Small claims: appear at the hearing date on the summons (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2804).
If you don't answer: If you don't appear in small claims, judgment will be entered against you; you have 10 days to ask for a new trial, and later you can ask the court to set aside the default (Nebraska Judicial Branch).
Court self-help: Nebraska court self-help (official)

Don't ignore court papers. Read what to do if a debt collector sues you.

Where to complain in Nebraska

Nebraska: Nebraska Attorney General – Consumer Protection Division · 402-471-2785
Federal: the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau takes complaints about debt collectors at consumerfinance.gov/complaint · (855) 411-2372.
You can also report a collector to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Free help in Nebraska

Good to know in Nebraska

Head-of-family garnishment limit of 15% is lower than the federal 25% (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-1558).
Companies that buy debts and collect in their own name are excluded from the state's collection agency definition (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 45-602(3)(k)); they are still covered by the federal FDCPA if they meet its definition.

Changes in 2024–2026

2024: homestead exemption raised to $120,000 (LB1195). 2026: LB779 medical debt bill failed (indefinitely postponed).

Free letters to send a collector

Dispute a debt and ask for proof (validation letter)

Within 30 days of the collector's validation notice.

Tell a collector to stop or limit contact

Stop all contact, writing only, or no calls at work.

Questions about debt collection in Nebraska

What is the statute of limitations on debt in Nebraska?

5 years for written contracts and 4 years for open accounts and unwritten agreements (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-205 (written: 5 years); § 25-206 (not in writing: 4 years); § 25-216).

Does paying on an old debt restart the clock in Nebraska?

Yes. A voluntary payment of principal or interest, or a written acknowledgment or promise to pay, starts the time limit over (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-216).

Must a collector tell me a debt is too old to sue on in Nebraska?

No Nebraska rule found. Under federal Regulation F, a debt collector may not sue you or threaten to sue you on a time-barred debt (12 C.F.R. § 1006.26(b)).

How much of my paycheck can be garnished in Nebraska?

Stricter for a head of family: no more than 15% of disposable earnings a week. Others: same as federal (25%, or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum wage, whichever is less). Not for support, Chapter 13 or tax orders.

Do debt collectors need a license in Nebraska?

Yes. Nebraska Collection Agency Licensing Board (Nebraska Secretary of State); licensing through NMLS

Does Nebraska have its own debt collection law?

Yes: the Nebraska Collection Agency Act (a licensing law; Nebraska has no separate state fair debt collection practices act) (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 45-601 to 45-622). It does not cover original creditors collecting their own debts.

How long do I have to answer a debt lawsuit in Nebraska?

County or district court civil case: serve an answer within 30 days after you are served (Neb. Ct. R. Pldg. § 6-1112). Small claims: appear at the hearing date on the summons (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2804).

Does Nebraska protect people with medical debt?