In Missouri—from the logistics hubs of Kansas City and the advanced manufacturing plants of St. Louis to the healthcare corridors of Springfield and Columbia—business moves at the pace of the “Crossroads of America.” But as of January 1, 2026, the game has changed. With Missouri’s minimum wage officially hitting $15.00 per hour, the “protected” income for debtors has shifted overnight. You don’t just need a collector; you need a Missouri-compliance specialist who understands how to utilize the state’s powerful 10-year written contract statute to revive “zombie debt” that national agencies have long since abandoned.
Nexa provides 100% reputation-safe, equipped with all 50-state collections license, offering free credit reporting, free litigation/bankruptcy scrubs, and zero onboarding fees. Secure – SOC 2 Type II & HIPAA compliant.
Need a Collection Agency? Contact us
The Missouri Legal Landscape
Missouri offers creditors a massive 10-year window to sue on written contracts—twice as long as many neighboring states—but requires strict adherence to interest caps and new wage protections.
| Debt Type | Statute of Limitations | Missouri Statute (RSMo) |
| Written Contracts | 10 Years | RSMo § 516.110 |
| Oral / Open Accounts | 5 Years | RSMo § 516.120 |
| Medical Debt | 10 Years (if in writing) | RSMo § 516.110 |
| Wage Garnishment | 25% Cap (High Floor) | RSMo § 525.030 |
Critical Missouri Rules for 2026:
-
The 10-Year “Super-Window”: Missouri is one of the few states where you can legally pursue a written contract for a full decade. Nexa specializes in “Asset Revival”—recovering high-value commercial and medical debt that other agencies thought was time-barred.
-
The $15.00 Wage Shield: As of Jan 1, 2026, Missouri’s minimum wage is $15.00/hr. Under federal and state law, garnishment is restricted if a debtor earns less than 30x the minimum wage. Nexa uses advanced income-scrubbing to ensure we only litigate accounts where the debtor is above the new $600/week “safe zone.”
-
Attorney Fee Caps: Under RSMo § 408.140, attorney fees in collection suits are generally capped at 15% of the amount due. We manage our legal network to fit within these caps, so your recovery stays profitable.
-
Medical Reporting Thresholds: While national bureaus voluntarily exclude medical debt under $500, Nexa uses Missouri’s 10-year judgment renewal to secure payments through bank levies and property liens for higher balances.
Cost-Effectiveness: The Nexa Advantage
-
Fixed-Fee Recovery ($15/account): Ideal for early-stage accounts. Debtors pay 100% directly to you.
-
Contingency Service (20%–40%): Performance-based recovery. If we don’t recover your money, you owe us nothing.
Industries We Serve in Missouri
-
Manufacturing & Logistics: Specialized B2B recovery for the St. Louis and Kansas City industrial hubs. We handle high-value freight brokerage, steel fabrication, and warehousing disputes in the “Crossroads of America.”
-
Healthcare & Medical: 100% HIPAA-compliant. We manage patient balances across the Ozark and mid-Missouri health systems, focusing on mediation that protects your clinic’s local reputation.
-
Colleges & Universities: Serving Missouri’s premier public and private institutions. We manage tuition and bursar recovery with a focus on student-first mediation and preserving alumni rapport.
-
K-12 Private & Charter Schools: Diplomatic recovery for unpaid enrollment and fees. We offer a sensitive, community-focused approach tailored for Missouri’s school choice environment.
-
Accountants & CPA Firms: Recovery of professional service fees. We understand the Missouri tax cycle and ensure you get paid without damaging the client trust you’ve spent years building.
-
Banks & Credit Unions: Expert handling of delinquent consumer loans and deficiency balances using Missouri’s 10-year judgment window.
-
Construction & Trades: Revenue recovery for HVAC, electrical, and general contractors. We are experts in RSMo Chapter 429 (Mechanic’s Liens).
-
B2B Commercial, Restoration & Waste Management: High-speed recovery for service providers who need cash flow restored immediately to manage rising labor costs in the “Show-Me State.”
Recent Missouri Recovery Results
Case 1: St. Louis Regional Specialty Clinic (Medical)
-
The Problem: $145,000 in aging debt, much of it 4-7 years old. The clinic thought it was too old to collect.
-
The Result: Using Missouri’s 10-year written contract statute, Nexa recovered $92,000 in 110 days through a combination of diplomatic mediation and legal escalation.
Case 2: Kansas City Freight Brokerage (B2B)
-
The Problem: A $62,000 unpaid logistics contract from a vendor who stopped responding to emails.
-
The Result: We utilized a pre-legal demand strategy, resulting in a full $62,000 recovery plus interest within 45 days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I really collect a debt that is 8 years old in Missouri?
Yes. If the debt is based on a written contract for the payment of money, RSMo § 516.110 allows a 10-year window. This is one of the most powerful creditor rights in the country.
2. How does the 2026 $15.00 minimum wage affect my collections?
It increases the amount of income protected from garnishment. In 2026, the first $600 of weekly gross pay is effectively shielded for many debtors. Nexa identifies “High-Earner” accounts to ensure your legal efforts are targeted and successful.
3. Does Nexa handle credit reporting in Missouri?
Yes. For eligible accounts (generally non-medical debt or medical debt over $500), we provide credit reporting to all three major bureaus at no extra cost to you.
Popular Cities: