Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A release or discharge from a debt or obligation. The document serves as evidence of the release.
Sources & Authorities· 36 primary sources
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Cases
Statutes
How it applies
Common Examples
6
Welfare Recipient Signs Release
Quincy Quan received notice that his need-based welfare benefits would end. After the required evidentiary hearing, the agency provided a written quittance discharging any further claims for past payments. Quincy accepted the document and resumed receiving benefits under the revised eligibility determination.
Defendant Obtains Release Before Removal
Quinlan Quezada was served with a state-court complaint. Within the thirty-day window, the plaintiff delivered a quittance releasing Quezada from the underlying debt in exchange for a settlement payment. Quezada filed the notice of removal the next day, relying on the quittance to confirm the claim was resolved.
Quinley Quincy held a beneficial interest in a trust containing a valid spendthrift provision. After receiving a distribution, Quincy executed a quittance discharging the trustee from any further obligation regarding that payment. The trustee relied on the document to prevent a later creditor from reaching the distributed funds.
Buyer Issues Release After Rejection
Quade Quimby rightfully rejected nonconforming goods and retained possession pending resale. The seller tendered a quittance releasing Quimby from further payment obligations in exchange for return of the goods. Quimby accepted the document and resold the goods under his security interest to recover payments already made.
Recipient Executes Release for Stolen Goods
Queenie Quick received personal property she knew had been stolen. After authorities recovered the items, Quick signed a quittance releasing any claim to the goods in exchange for avoiding prosecution. The document confirmed she no longer asserted control over the stolen property.
Officer Provides Release in Corporate Dispute
Quintessa Quinn, an officer of Quinn Industries, received a financial benefit to which she was not entitled. The board demanded a quittance from Quinn releasing the corporation from any related claims. Quinn executed the document to resolve the internal investigation without further liability proceedings.
Common questions
Frequently Asked
4
What is the legal effect of a quittance?+
A quittance releases or discharges a party from a debt or obligation. It also supplies written evidence that the release occurred.
Supporting sources
Must a quittance be in writing to be effective?+
The release itself may be oral, but the document serves as the primary evidence of the discharge. Courts rely on the writing to prove the parties intended to extinguish the obligation.
Supporting sources
How does a quittance differ from a mere receipt of payment?+
A receipt acknowledges that money changed hands. A quittance goes further by expressly releasing the debtor from any remaining obligation tied to the underlying debt.
Supporting sources
Can a quittance be used to bar future claims after a settlement?+
Yes. Once executed, the quittance prevents the releasing party from asserting additional claims arising from the same debt or obligation.
Supporting sources
5 U.S. (1 Cranch) 137 (1803)Property
…of justices of the peace; that as many as twelve commissions for that county were delivered to him for which he gave a receipt which he left in the office; finding he could not conveniently carry the whole he returned several and struck a pen through some names in the receipt which he returned. Among the…