The article is devoted to the study of the statute of limitations as a key legal mechanism ensuring the stability and predictability of civil turnover. The article discusses the controversial issues of the beginning of the limitation period in indefinite obligations. The issue of retrospective application of the objective (10-year) limitation period is raised. The authors also addressed the issue of calculating the duration of a claim upon termination of various types of contracts. Based on the analysis of legislation and the legal positions of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, the authors concluded that there are two competing approaches for starting to calculate the limitation period in contracts with and without advance payment.