Partial Payment

/ˈpɑːrʃəl ˈpeɪmənt/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A payment made towards a debt or obligation that does not satisfy the full amount owed.
    The debtor made a partial payment to reduce the outstanding balance.
  2. (n.) A payment accepted as fulfillment of an obligation where the creditor agrees to settle for less than the total amount owed, often called a settlement payment.
    The creditor accepted a partial payment as full settlement of the claim.

Forms

  • partial payments

Commentary

Partial payments may affect the status of a debt differently depending on whether they are accepted as part performance or as a settlement; precise terms should be clearly documented in agreements.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

Draft confidently with Amicus

Create, negotiate, and sign agreements in one secure workspace—invite collaborators, track revisions, and keep audit-ready records automatically.

Open the Amicus app