When is a statute of limitations tolled in Mississippi?

In Mississippi, the statute of limitations is tolled, meaning it is paused, when the complaint is filed. This legal principle allows a plaintiff to assert their claim without being barred by the time limit set by the statute of limitations once they have initiated the legal process. Filing the complaint serves as formal notification to the defendant that a claim is being made against them, which is why this particular event is critical in the context of statutes of limitations.

Notification to the defendant does not toll the statute; it's the act of filing that marks the initiation of the action. The other options do not trigger the tolling of the statute in Mississippi. For instance, a suit being dismissed may actually lead to the expiration of the statute, while a defendant responding does not impact the running of the statute until the formal action is brought forth. Thus, understanding this mechanism is crucial for effective legal practice in managing time-sensitive claims.