Case Name: Crow v. Bowers
Court: Supreme Court of Georgia
Jurisdiction: Georgia
Decision Date: 1949-02-16
Citations: 204 Ga. 786
Docket Number: No. 16521
Parties: Crow v. Bowers
Judges: All the Justices concur.
Reporter: Georgia Reports
Volume: 204
Pages: 786–788

Head Matter:
Crow v. Bowers

Opinion:
Atkinson, Presiding Justice.
1. Where a petition seeks cancellation of a written instrument and alleges that the instrument sought to be canceled was "a release from all further claims," in construing the petition most strongly against the pleader, which must be done, the instrument will be construed as a full contract of release, and not merely a receipt.
2. Where it is sought to set aside a written instrument which is a full contract of release from all further claims, and not merely a receipt, parol evidence is not admissible to vary or alter its terms. Walters v. Odom, 53 Ga. 286, 289; Southern Bell Telephone &c. Co. v. Smith, 129 Ga. 558 (59 S. E. 215); Pennsylvania Casualty Co. v. Thompson, 130 Ga. 766 (61 S. E. 829); Jewell v. Norrell, 66 Ga. App. 11 (4) (16 S. E. 2d, 797).
3. Where a liquidated debt, upon which there is no dispute as to the amount due, is agreed to be settled for less than its face value and the settlement is consumated by the payment of the amount agreed upon and the execution and delivery of a writing stating that it is "a release from all further claims," this is an accord and satisfaction and an extinguishment of all liability therefor by the debtor. Code, § 20-1204; Tarver v. Rankin, 3 Ga. 210; Brown v. Ayer, 24 Ga. 288; Tyler Cotton Press Co. v. Chevalier, 56 Ga. 494 (5); Burgamy v. Holton, 165 Ga. 384 (3) (141 S. E. 42); Collier v. Mayflower Apartments, 196 Ga. 419 (2) (26 S. E. 2d, 731).
No. 16521.
February 16, 1949.
4. A petition, seeking the cancellation of the instrument above described, in which there was no sufficient allegation of fraud, or other grounds authorizing a cancellation, was subject to the general demurrer interposed thereto, and the trial court erred in overruling the same.
Judgment reversed.
All the Justices concur.
M. G. Hicks, for plaintiff in error.
James F. McNamara and Robert L. Royal, contra.