Do you know how much time a creditor has to sue before they lose the right to sue on an unpaid debt? This is formally called the statute of limitations and it is a legal principle designed to encourage a party not to sit on their rights for too long.
http://blogs.findlaw.com/law_and_life/2013/12/statute-of-limitations-for-debts-can-vary.html
If you have old unpaid debts, they most likely require a legal analysis to determine which creditors, debt collectors, or lawyers can still sue you for what debts. Every state has a different time limit for their statute of limitations. The time limits can vary widely, being as low as 3 years and possibly up to ten years. Some states however have a statute of limitations even longer than ten years. In addition, not all debt is the same. Credit card debt may have a different statute of limitations than medical debt, or auto loan debt, or a business loan. In addition, even if a debt is past the statute of limitations, the creditor may still pursue the consumer for the debt and may be able to use the legal system to collect it.
Therefore, if you have debts despite their age, contact a qualified debt settlement law firm. A qualified debt settlement lawyer will know the law in your specific area and help you navigate the best way to legally resolve the debt you owe. In addition, a qualified settlement lawyer will work to negotiate reductions on the debt balance which makes repayment possible.