Late payment from 20 months ago - how does it affect my score?

[Anonymous]

I have one late payment on my reports (from my lowest limit card but my oldest) from July 2014 - was 35 days past due (my husband passed away and I just forgot to pay the bill) Once I saw it, I paid it off and since then have only used it a few times. It's been sitting at 0 balance for several months. At the time I contacted the bank and asked them for a "goodwill delete" but they said they would not (even though I had been a customer for years and never had a late payment before) Its now about 20 months later and it shows up on my reports but how much does it actually impact my current score? From what I understand it will fall off in 7 years, correct? I'd like to have it removed but if it didn't work then, its doubtful it will now or should I try again? Or at this point, 20 months later, does it really impact anything?

[Appleman]

Sorry to hear about your loss. I am honestly not sure how long that one late will hinder your score. The longer in the past it gets the better for your score. Really bad customer service to not remove one late given your circumstances. I imagine someone else will have an idea as to how long it will affect your score. It would seem 24 months would be a good milestone.

[Anonymous]

From what I've read, 30 day late will no longer have a major impact after 2 years.  August 2016 will have a score boost.

This is not the same for 60, 90, 120 etc.  they inhibit for much longer. 

With more time passing, I would IMO again ask for a GW deletion.  Anywhere from once a month to every other month.  

Yes, I am the poster who got a cease and desist from sending a GW letter to my 60 day late auto loan, however I have successfully deleted 4 collections and a charge off, so you win some you lose some. Never hurts to keep asking. I am relentless. 

Given your circumstance and history, asking again doesn't hurt. 

Sorry for your loss, and best of luck!

[EW800]

I agree. From my experience the sting of one 30-day late is pretty much gone after 24 months. It seems to me that you have a very valid reason for the late, given your loss. I would also suggest keeping up the GW efforts every couple of months.

Buyaobuyoa: You got a cease and desist from sending In GW letter??!! Ouch. I will share that I've had one GW campaign come back to bite me as well. I tried to get Citi to remove a 30 day late. They ended up putting comments on the TL of my CR's saying that the consumer disputes the account status or something to that effect, and now absolutely refuse to remove the comments.