In North Dakota—from the energy corridors of Williston and Dickinson to the commercial hubs of Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks—business is built on a “Legendary” handshake. But in 2026, the high-speed growth of the Bakken and the agricultural heartland requires a recovery partner who understands that a handshake isn’t a strategy. With North Dakota’s 6-year statute of limitations on written and oral contracts, you have an incredible opportunity to recover revenue that would be legally “dead” in other states. However, you must navigate the state’s unique wage garnishment floors and the 90-day mechanic’s lien cliff with surgical precision. You don’t just need a collector; you need a North Dakota strategist who can turn aging ledgers into liquid cash.
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.
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The North Dakota Legal Landscape (2026 Summary)
North Dakota is a “Creditor-Friendly” state for those who act within the generous 6-year window but requires careful math when it comes to the “Dependent Shield.”
| Debt Category | Statute of Limitations | ND Century Code (NDCC) |
| Written/Oral Contracts | 6 Years | NDCC § 28-01-16 |
| Medical Debt | 6 Years | NDCC § 28-01-16 |
| Wage Garnishment | 25% (Less Dependents) | NDCC § 32-09.1-03 |
| Mechanic’s Liens | 90-Day Window | NDCC § 35-27-13 |
| Judgments | 10 Years (Renewable) | NDCC § 28-01-15 |
Critical North Dakota Rules for 2026:
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The 6-Year Advantage: Unlike neighboring states with 3 or 4-year limits, North Dakota gives you 72 months to file a lawsuit on most debts. Nexa audits your older ledgers to find “found money” that other agencies ignore.
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The $20 Dependent Deduction: North Dakota law is unique; the amount subject to garnishment is reduced by $20 per week for each dependent residing with the debtor. Nexa’s skip-tracing team identifies household size early to ensure your legal spend results in actual checks.
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The 90-Day Lien Cliff: For construction and oilfield services, you must file a Notice of Intent to Lien 10 days prior and record the lien within 90 days of the last work for full protection. Nexa moves at “Bakken Speed” to trigger payments before this window closes.
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Judgment Longevity: A North Dakota judgment is a powerful lien on real estate for 10 years and can be renewed once for a total of 20 years. We track your debtors as their assets grow in the state’s energy and tech sectors.
Cost-Effectiveness: The Nexa Advantage
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Fixed-Fee Recovery ($15/account): Ideal for early-stage receivables. Debtors pay 100% directly to you.
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Contingency Service (20%–40%): Performance-based recovery. No Recovery, No Fee.
Industries We Serve in North Dakota
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Oil, Gas & Energy: B2B recovery for the Bakken region. We handle high-value logistics, drilling disputes, and industrial supply recovery in Williston and Minot.
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Agriculture & Logistics: Specialized recovery for equipment dealers and ag-industrial suppliers. We understand the “Net-30” cycles of North Dakota’s farming heartland.
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Healthcare & Medical: 100% HIPAA-compliant recovery for hospitals, dental practices, and clinics across the Sanford and CHI St. Alexius systems. We handle 2026 federal reporting compliance while maintaining your right to collect via mediation.
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Colleges & Universities: From UND to NDSU, we specialize in tuition fee recovery and housing balances, balancing firm tactics with the need to preserve student relationships.
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K-12 Private & Charter Schools: Managing unpaid enrollment fees with a sensitive, diplomatic approach tailored for North Dakota’s tight-knit communities.
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Accountants & CPA Firms: Recovery of professional service fees. We understand the local billing cycles and use professional mediation to ensure you get paid without damaging client rapport.
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Banks & Credit Unions: Expert handling of delinquent consumer loans and deficiency balances using North Dakota’s aggressive 20-year judgment potential.
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Construction & Trades: Revenue recovery for HVAC, electrical, and general contractors (Expertise in NDCC Chapter 35-27 Mechanic’s Liens).
Recent North Dakota Recovery Results
Case 1: Bismarck-Area Specialty Clinic (Medical)
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The Problem: $128,000 in patient debt, much of it 4-5 years old. Local staff thought it was uncollectible.
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The Result: Using the 6-year statute, Nexa recovered $94,000 in 65 days through diplomatic mediation, proving that “old” debt is still gold in ND.
Case 2: Williston Energy Services Firm (B2B)
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The Problem: A $55,000 unpaid invoice for heavy equipment transport. The debtor went “dark” during an oil price dip.
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The Result: We leveraged a Notice of Intent to Lien and formal B2B demand, resulting in a full $55,000 recovery plus interest within 21 days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I really collect a debt from 5 years ago in North Dakota?
Yes. For written and oral contracts, North Dakota Law (NDCC § 28-01-16) allows for a 6-year window. Nexa specializes in reviving these older, high-value accounts.
2. How do dependents affect my ability to garnish wages?
In North Dakota, a debtor can reduce their garnishable income by $20 per dependent. This makes high-income earners our primary target for legal action to ensure a profitable return for you.
3. Does Nexa handle credit reporting?
Yes. For all eligible accounts, we report to the major credit bureaus at no extra cost, providing the leverage needed to move your invoice to the top of the debtor’s priority list.
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