Also known as:receipts · acknowledgment of payment
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
The act of receiving property, documents, funds, or benefits. This act often triggers procedural rights, time periods for action, or protections against creditors and third parties.
Sources & Authorities· 37 primary sources
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Cases
Statutes
Federal Rules
Uniform Acts
Model Codes
Common Law
Restatements
How it applies
Common Examples
6
Welfare Benefits Termination Notice
Rina Rahman received monthly need-based welfare payments for two years after the agency found her eligible. The agency sent a letter proposing to end the payments because of new income information but gave no opportunity for an evidentiary hearing. Rina demanded a hearing before any cutoff. Because she had a protected interest in continued receipt of the benefits, due process required the agency to provide timely notice and a pretermination hearing with the chance to confront witnesses and present evidence.
Removal Clock After Service
Ronald Reed was served with a state-court complaint on March 1. He received the summons and complaint that same day. He filed a notice of removal in federal court on April 2. The 30-day removal period began upon his receipt of the initial pleading, so the notice was untimely and the case remained in state court.
Spendthrift Trust Distribution
Rowan Russell was the beneficiary of a trust containing a valid spendthrift provision. A judgment creditor attempted to garnish the next distribution before it reached Rowan. The creditor could not reach the funds because the spendthrift clause prevented attachment until actual receipt by the beneficiary.
Constitutional Importation Clause
Rosa Ruiz imported goods from abroad in 1805. Congress attempted to prohibit the importation entirely. The constitutional restriction on congressional power applied only until 1808, so the prohibition was invalid during the period when receipt of such imports remained protected.
Buyer Security Interest After Rejection
Roger Ramirez ordered custom parts that arrived nonconforming. He rightfully rejected the shipment and retained the goods while incurring inspection and storage costs. Roger acquired a security interest in the parts for those expenses and could resell them to recover the amounts paid.
Receipt of Stolen Goods Offense
Rita Russell accepted a box of electronics that a thief had placed at her designated drop location. She knew the items were stolen and intended to keep them permanently. Rita committed the common-law misdemeanor because she exercised control over the stolen property with the required knowledge and intent.
Common questions
Frequently Asked
5
Does receipt of a pleading by mail start the removal clock under 28 U.S.C. § 1446(b)(1)?+
Yes. The statute expressly measures the 30-day period from receipt by the defendant through service or otherwise of the initial pleading. Informal receipt such as a courtesy copy does not trigger the period, but formal or effective receipt does.
Supporting sources
When does a spendthrift provision prevent a creditor from reaching trust assets?+
A valid spendthrift clause bars both voluntary and involuntary transfers and prevents creditors from reaching a distribution before its receipt by the beneficiary. Once the beneficiary actually receives the distribution, the protection ends.
What elements must the prosecution prove for common-law receipt of stolen property?+
The prosecution must show the defendant received possession or control of personal property that retained stolen status, knew it was obtained by criminal conduct of another, and intended to deprive the true owner permanently. Manual possession is not required if the defendant exercises control.
Supporting sources
Does a buyer obtain a security interest after rightful rejection of goods?+
Yes. Under UCC § 2-711(3) a buyer who rightfully rejects or justifiably revokes acceptance obtains a security interest in the goods for payments made and reasonable expenses of inspection, receipt, transportation, care, and custody, and may resell the goods.
Supporting sources
What due-process protections attach once a person begins receiving need-based welfare benefits?+
Once eligibility is established, the recipient has a property interest in continued receipt. Due process therefore requires an evidentiary hearing before termination, including timely notice, the right to confront witnesses, an opportunity to present evidence, and decision by an impartial decisionmaker on the record.
Supporting sources
receipt
to issue notes of any other denomination than five, ten,…
receipt
ed bill, stating the particulars, for every expenditure made by or on behalf of a political committee in…
of a presidential claim of privilege the District Court must treat the subpoenaed material as presumptively privileged and require the Special Prosecutor to demonstrate that the…
ContractsFormation of contracts · Mutual assent (including offer and acceptance, and unilateral, bilateral, and implied-in-fact contracts)UBEFoundational