If defendant be out of state before or departs after cause of action commences, when action may be commenced
If someone has a legal claim against a Missouri resident, but that person is out of the state when the claim starts, the clock on the deadline to file a lawsuit does not run while that person is away. The deadline starts — or continues — only after that person comes back to Missouri. Note: courts have ruled this law is unconstitutional in some situations.
516.200. If be out of state before or departs after commences, when may be . — If at any time when any cause of action herein specified against any person who is a resident of this state, and he is absent therefrom, such action may be commenced within the times herein respectively limited, after the of such person into the state.
(RSMo 1939 § 1023, A.L. 2009 H.B. 481)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 871; 1919 § 1326; 1909 § 1897
(2001) Section denying to defendants who have moved from the state burdens and is ; cannot be due to applicability of over such defendants. Rademeyer v. Farris, 145 F.Supp.2d 1096 (E.D.Mo.), aff'd, 284 F.3d 833 (8th Cir. 2002).
(2008) statute of limitations for persons who become non-residents of Missouri during period violates Commerce Clause. State ex rel. Bloomquist v. Schneider, 244 S.W.3d 139 (Mo.banc).
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Related Missouri laws
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RSMo 516.190
Time not to be computed during a war
RSMo 516.210
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RSMo 516.220
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RSMo 516.180
Further savings in cases of nonsuits
RSMo 516.230
May delay filing of action, when
RSMo 516.170
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.