§ 1476 Creditor Directed Performance Extinguishment

Civil Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says if someone you owe money to tells you to pay in a certain way, and you do it that way, you don’t owe them anymore—even if they don’t actually get the money.

Key Takeaways

•If the person you owe tells you how to pay, do exactly that.
•You’re off the hook if you follow their instructions, even if they don’t get the money.
•This only works if you do *exactly* what they said.

Example

You owe your friend $50, and they tell you to leave the money under their doormat. You do it, but someone steals the money before your friend finds it.

Since you followed their exact instructions, you don’t have to pay them again—even though they never got the $50.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 1476 Creditor Directed Performance Extinguishment

If a creditor, or any one of two or more joint creditors, at any time directs the debtor to perform his obligation in a particular manner, the obligation is extinguished by performance in that manner, even though the creditor does not receive the benefit of such performance. (Enacted 1872.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

creditor debtor obligation joint creditors

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Civil Code. Section 1476.

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Related Statutes

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Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References