Section 7.13 Lack of Consideration

• Library: Settling Cases 2014

As with any contract, a release given without consideration is void. Howell v. St. Louis Steel Erection Co., 867 S.W.2d 677, 681 (Mo. App. E.D. 1993). Consideration for a release may consist of forbearance or some detriment. Lugena v. Hanna, 420 S.W.2d 335, 338 (Mo. 1967). But a party’s agreement to perform an act that the party is already legally bound to perform does not constitute consideration. See:

• Grand Motors, Inc. v. Ford Motor Co., 564 F. Supp. 34 (W.D. Mo. 1982)

• Weindel v. DeSoto Rural Fire Prot. Ass’n, Inc., 765 S.W.2d 712, 715 (Mo. App. E.D. 1989), overruled on other grounds by Purcell Tire & Rubber Co. v. Exec. Beechcraft Inc., 59 S.W.3d 505, 509 (Mo. banc 2001)

• Aiple v. S. Side Nat’l Bank in St. Louis, 442 S.W.2d 145, 151 (Mo. App. E.D. 1969)

Furthermore, there can be no release unless there exists at the time of the claimed release a bona fide controversy concerning the defendant’s legal liability on some issue in dispute between the parties. Howell, 867 S.W.2d at 681; Dixon v. Bus. Men’s Assurance Co. of Am., 285 S.W.2d 619 (Mo. banc 1955). Payment of an admitted debt is...