Time-Barred Debt: what makes it enforceable despite lack of consideration?

• A. A A signed writing
• B. B A court judgment
• C. C A verbal promise
• D. D A written promise to pay by debtor

Answer: (A)

When a contract claim is time-barred, a signed writing by the debtor acknowledging the debt or promising to pay can revive the obligation. The signature on that writing shows the debtor’s current consent to be bound, creating a new enforceable promise even though the original agreement may have lacked or exhausted consideration. That signed promise is enough to toll or restart the statute of limitations, so the creditor can sue again.

A signed writing is the form that reliably triggers this revival. A court judgment, while it enforces liability, isn’t what creates the revival after the time bar. A verbal promise typically won’t toll the statute, and a written promise to pay that isn’t signed by the debtor usually won’t bind the debtor in the same way.