What is Discharge of a Contract?

An individual is relieved from her duty to perform a contract in the following scenarios:

Void Contract – If a contract becomes void, both parties are relieved from their duty of performance.

Breach by Other Party – If the other party materially breaches the contract, the non-breaching party is relieved from the obligation to further perform the agreement.

Failure of a Condition – A contract may contain any number of conditions that may materialize (or fail to materialize), which relieve the parties obligation to perform under the contract.

Impossibility, Impracticability, of Frustration of Purpose – Parties to a contract may be relieved from their obligation to perform if performance becomes impossible, commercially impracticable, or the underlying purpose of the contract is frustrated.

Waiver or Release – A party may, per her own volition, sign a waiver or release relieving the other partys obligation to perform.

Any of the above situations may release one or both parties from their duties of performance.