Civil suits must be filed within a specified period of time. The time period is referred to as the civil suit statute of limitations. In most cases, the statute of limitations in a civil suit begins at the time of the alleged wrongdoing by the defending party, though in some cases it begins at the time of the discovery of this wrongdoing. The statute of limitations varies by case and circumstance. In addition, statutes of limitations vary by state. For this reason, it is important to speak with an attorney quickly, once you realize that an issue has arisen. It can often take some time between your first conversations with your attorney until the time the suit is actually filed. It's wise to understand the statute of limitations for your particular circumstance before you begin filing, so that you can be certain to meet the requirements. Once the statute of limitations has expired, the plaintiff foregoes any right to sue for the matter unless a legal exception can be proven.