What is the maximum limit for promissory note?

Asked by: Dr. Lenny Gibson  |  Last update: January 30, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (3 votes)

There's no universal maximum dollar limit for a promissory note, as it depends on the loan's purpose, state laws, and lender policies, but regulations focus on maximum interest rates (usury laws, e.g., 10-16% in some states) and duration (like 10 years for federal student loans under a Master Promissory Note (MPN)), ensuring fairness and legality rather than setting an arbitrary cap on the principal amount.

Is there any limit for promissory notes?

Promissory notes remain valid for a duration of 3 years from the date of execution, after which they expire and become invalid. No maximum limit for which amount can be lent or borrowed.

Is 30 percent interest legal?

Yet Article 15 of the California Constitution declares that no more than 10% a year in interest can be charged for “any loan or forbearance of any money, goods or things in action, if the money, goods or things in action are for use primarily for personal, family or household purposes.”

What makes a promissory note illegal?

What Makes a Promissory Note Invalid: Missing essential elements, fraud, lack of consideration, forgery, and violations of public policy can invalidate a note. Common Mistakes That Invalidate a Promissory Note: Errors in drafting, missing signatures, ambiguity, and illegal terms can lead to an unenforceable note.

What are the rules for a promissory note?

A promissory note must include the date of the loan, the loan amount, the names of both the lender and borrower, the interest rate on the loan, and the timeline for repayment. Once the document is signed by both parties, it becomes a legally binding contract.

Basics 101: Court is Bank (Infinite Banking Type 1 Intro) Promissory Note Birth Certificate.

37 related questions found

Will a promissory note hold up in court?

Legally Binding: Promissory notes are enforceable in court if properly drafted and signed. Essential Components: A valid promissory note includes loan details, repayment terms, interest rate (if applicable), and signatures.

What are the two types of promissory notes?

There are two types of promissory notes often used to evidence a loan or debt. One type is referred to as “demand” promissory note because the note is payable at any time on demand by the lender. The other type is “with distinguishing characteristics.” A demand note is theoretically due from the moment it is executed.

How risky are promissory notes?

Even Legitimate Promissory Notes Are Not Risk-free

These notes are only as sound as the companies or projects they're financing. Smart public companies can still stumble because of competition, bad management decisions, or unfavorable market conditions.

Does a promissory note need to be notarized to be legal?

Promissory notes don't have to be notarized in most cases. You can typically sign a legally binding promissory note that contains unconditional pledges to pay a certain sum of money. However, you can strengthen the legality of a valid promissory note by having it notarized.

Can I sue someone with a promissory note?

If the debtor fails to pay the debt specified in the promissory note, no other evidence of a breach of contract is necessary to enforce that debt. To enforce a promissory note, you will likely need to: sue the debtor of the note. get a judgment from the court.

What is the maximum permissible interest rate?

The Maximum Permissible Interest Rate (or MPIR) is a government-set interest rate that is used by residential aged care facilities to calculate a daily accommodation payment based on room price.

What is the 3 7 3 rule in mortgage?

The "3-7-3 Rule" in mortgages refers to federal disclosure timing under the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) rule, ensuring borrower protection: lenders must provide the initial Loan Estimate within 3 business days of application, require a 7-day waiting period before closing from that delivery, and trigger another 3-day waiting period if the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) changes significantly (over 1/8% for fixed loans) before closing. This rule, stemming from the Mortgage Disclosure Improvement Act (MDIA), provides crucial time for borrowers to review and compare loan terms, preventing rushed decisions. 

Is it legal to charge 100% interest?

But yeah, so big picture California says 10%, that's what you can charge on a loan and if you exceed 10%, you have a usury problem.

Does a promissory note count as income?

The income generated by a Promissory Note, namely the interest collected on the borrowed amount, is taxable income for IRS purposes. The income is the interest earned by the lender on the Promissory Note for the tax year in question.

What is the difference between a promissory note and a loan agreement?

Promissory notes are less detailed than loan agreements and typically used for smaller sums of money and shorter terms. They are a good choice if you are lending money to family and friends where there is a level of trust between the parties.

What is the rule of promissory?

The true principle of promissory estoppel is where one party has by his words or conduct made to the other a clear and unequivocal promise which is intended to create legal relations or effect a legal relationship to arise in the future, knowing or intending that it would be acted upon by the other party to whom the ...

What voids a promissory note?

A promissory note is invalid if it lacks the borrower's signature, clear terms, or fair clauses, such as reasonable interest rates. Losing the original document or unauthorized alterations can void the note. Notarization or witnesses are not mandatory but add legal protection, especially for unfamiliar parties.

What is the most common mistake made by a notary?

The most common and serious mistake a notary makes is failing to ensure the signer personally appears before them, which is a legal violation and can lead to fraud and major penalties, but other frequent errors involve incomplete or incorrect notarial certificates, such as missing dates, improper seal placement, illegible stamps, mismatched names, or attaching the wrong certificate type, all of which can invalidate the document. 

Can I write my own promissory note?

Yes, you can make your own promissory note, and it can be handwritten or typed, but using a legally sound template or getting legal advice is highly recommended to ensure it's enforceable and includes crucial details like parties' names, loan amount, interest, repayment terms, and default consequences, protecting both lender and borrower. While simple handwritten notes are possible, typed or online templates (like those from LegalZoom, Dropbox, or LawDepot) offer better clarity and prevent easy alterations. 

How much is $1000 a month invested for 30 years?

Investing $1,000 a month for 30 years results in total contributions of $360,000, but the final value depends heavily on the average annual return, potentially ranging from around $800,000 at 5% to over $2.2 million at 10% or more, with figures like $1.4 million (8.27% return) and $1.8 million (9.5% return) being common estimates, showcasing significant compound growth. 

Can you inherit a promissory note?

When the payee of a promissory note dies, the note typically becomes part of their estate. The right to receive payments transfers to the estate, and the executor or trustee manages the collection of those payments based on the terms of the will or trust.

What is so powerful about a promissory note?

The prominence of promissory notes lies in their ability to provide protection for lenders. By serving as a critical legal safeguard, these notes serve as compelling evidence of the borrower's commitment to repaying the loan, while also delineating the potential consequences of default.

What is the maximum amount limit for promissory note?

Validity Period: Promissory notes are valid for 3 years from the date of execution. No Maximum Limit: There is no cap on the amount that can be specified in the note. Witness Signature: A witness signature is not mandatory but is recommended for added security.

Do promissory notes expire?

The validity of a promissory note depends on state statutes of limitations, typically ranging from 3 to 15 years. What happens if the statute of limitations expires on a promissory note? The creditor loses the right to sue for repayment but can still request payment and attempt collections through non-legal means.

What are the disadvantages of using a promissory note?

Cons of Promissory Notes

A lender might have less power to seize a borrower's property if the loan goes into default than if the loan is covered by a standard contract. A borrower using a promissory note may pay a higher interest rate than if they got money through a more formal lending arrangement.