Legal Question in Consumer Law in Nebraska

Accord satisfaction

What is the law in Nebraska? If a check is marked ''paid in full'' or ''full and final payment of all claims'' can it be cashed without agreeing to this?

Is there a specific place the check must say this? In the memo, or on the back where it will be indorsed?


Asked on 6/13/07, 5:07 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Duke Drouillard Drouillard Law, LLC

Re: Accord satisfaction

That is a complicated issue that, unfortunately, cannot be resolved that simply. The answer depends on other factors which you have omitted. I have pasted the relevant law to your question below. If you are uncertain how to apply it to your specific facts, you need to hire an attorney.

U3-311. Accord and satisfaction by use of instrument.

(a) If a person against whom a claim is asserted proves that (i) that person in good faith tendered an instrument to the claimant as full satisfaction of the claim, (ii) the amount of the claim was unliquidated or subject to a bona fide dispute, and (iii) the claimant obtained payment of the instrument, the following subsections apply.

(b) Unless subsection (c) applies, the claim is discharged if the person against whom the claim is asserted proves that the instrument or an accompanying written communication contained a conspicuous statement to the effect that the instrument was tendered as full satisfaction of the claim.

(c) Subject to subsection (d), a claim is not discharged under subsection (b) if either of the following applies:

(1) The claimant, if an organization, proves that (i) within a reasonable time before the tender, the claimant sent a conspicuous statement to the person against whom the claim is asserted that communications concerning disputed debts, including an instrument tendered as full satisfaction of a debt, are to be sent to a designated person, office, or place, and (ii) the instrument or accompanying communication was not received by that designated person, office, or place.

(2) The claimant, whether or not an organization, proves that within ninety days after payment of the instrument, the claimant tendered repayment of the amount of the instrument to the person against whom the claim is asserted. This paragraph does not apply if the claimant is an organization that sent a statement complying with paragraph (1)(i).

(d) A claim is discharged if the person against whom the claim is asserted proves that within a reasonable time before collection of the instrument was initiated, the claimant, or an agent of the claimant having direct responsibility with respect to the disputed obligation, knew that the instrument was tendered in full satisfaction of the claim.

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Answered on 6/13/07, 11:03 pm


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