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HomeCommercial CodeDiv. 3Ch. 5§ 3502 Note And Draft Dishonor Rules

§ 3502 Note And Draft Dishonor Rules

Commercial Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 3502 Note And Draft Dishonor Rules

Key Takeaways

  • •If you write a check or promise to pay someone, and you don't pay when you're supposed to, it's called 'dishonor'.
  • •For checks, if the bank doesn't pay it on time or tells the person it won't pay, that's dishonor.
  • •If you agree to pay later (like a late payment), it's okay and not considered dishonor anymore.
  • •If you don't have to show the check or note to get paid, but you still don't pay on time, that's also dishonor.

Example

You write a check to your friend for $50 to pay them back for a video game.

If your friend tries to cash the check, but your bank says there's no money in your account and sends it back, your check is 'dishonored'. This means you didn't keep your promise to pay, and your friend can ask you to fix it.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 3502 Note And Draft Dishonor Rules

(a) Dishonor of a note is governed by the following rules: (1) If the note is payable on demand, the note is dishonored if presentment is duly made to the maker and the note is not paid on the day of presentment. (2) If the note is not payable on demand and is payable at or through a bank or the terms of the note require presentment, the note is dishonored if presentment is duly made and the note is not paid on the day it becomes payable or the day of presentment, whichever is later. (3) If the note is not payable on demand and paragraph (2) does not apply, the note is dishonored if it is not paid on the day it becomes payable. (b) Dishonor of an unaccepted draft other than a documentary draft is governed by the following rules: (1) If a check is duly presented for payment to the payor bank otherwise than for immediate payment over the counter, the check is dishonored if the payor bank makes timely return of the check or sends timely notice of dishonor or nonpayment under Section 4301 or 4302, or becomes accountable for the amount of the check under Section 4302. (2) If a draft is payable on demand and paragraph (1) does not apply, the draft is dishonored if presentment for payment is duly made to the drawee and the draft is not paid on the day of presentment. (3) If a draft is payable on a date stated in the draft, the draft is dishonored if (A) presentment for payment is duly made to the drawee and payment is not made on the day the draft becomes payable or the day of presentment, whichever is later, or (B) presentment for acceptance is duly made before the day the draft becomes payable and the draft is not accepted on the day of presentment. (4) If a draft is payable on elapse of a period of time after sight or acceptance, the draft is dishonored if presentment for acceptance is duly made and the draft is not accepted on the day of presentment. (c) Dishonor of an unaccepted documentary draft occurs according to the rules stated in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of subdivision (b), except that payment or acceptance may be delayed without dishonor until no later than the close of the third business day of the drawee following the day on which payment or acceptance is required by those paragraphs. (d) Dishonor of an accepted draft is governed by the following rules: (1) If the draft is payable on demand, the draft is dishonored if presentment for payment is duly made to the acceptor and the draft is not paid on the day of presentment. (2) If the draft is not payable on demand, the draft is dishonored if presentment for payment is duly made to the acceptor and payment is not made on the day it becomes payable or the day of presentment, whichever is later. (e) In any case in which presentment is otherwise required for dishonor under this section and presentment is excused under Section 3504, dishonor occurs without presentment if the instrument is not duly accepted or paid. (f) If a draft is dishonored because timely acceptance of the draft was not made and the person entitled to demand acceptance consents to a late acceptance, from the time of acceptance the draft is treated as never having been dishonored. (Repealed and added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 914, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1993.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

dishonorpresentmentpayable on demandnotedraft

Related Statutes

  • § 2506 Financing Agency Draft Rights
  • § 2514 Draft Document Delivery Rules
  • § 3504 Presentment And Notice Excused
  • § 3505 Evidence Of Dishonor
  • § 4501 Bank Draft Collection Notice

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Commercial Code. Section 3502.
View Official Source