§ 1541 Debt Release Requirements

Civil Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says that a duty or debt ends when the person who is owed something (the creditor) releases the person who owes it (the debtor) from that duty, either by a written release or by agreeing to something new.

Key Takeaways

•A duty ends when the creditor releases the debtor.
•Release can be in writing or based on new consideration.
•The release works even if no new payment or benefit is given.

Example

A landlord and tenant agree to end a lease early without the tenant paying extra rent.

Because the landlord releases the tenant from the lease obligations, the tenant's duty to keep paying rent is extinguished, even though no new money changes hands.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 1541 Debt Release Requirements

An obligation is extinguished by a release therefrom given to the debtor or the released party by the creditor or releasing party, upon a new consideration, or in writing, with or without new consideration. (Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 157, Sec. 1. (SB 1431) Effective January 1, 2019.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

obligation release new consideration writing creditor debtor

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Civil Code. Section 1541.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References