CA-Is "Payment in Full" notation on partial payment check binding.

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No, you cannot cross out the "paid in full" restrictive endorsement on a check you receive, cash the check, and reserve your rights to go after more money. Once you cash the check with that "offer," your acceptance of the check is an acceptance of the offer. The controlling California statute on the issue of the legal validity of an "accord and satisfaction" is Commercial Code § 3311. The Official Comment no. 2 to Uniform Commercial Code § 3311 reads: "This [acceptance of compromise by cashing a check] result is the same if [the creditor] adds a notation to the check indicating that the check is accepted under protest or in only partial satisfaction of the claim. Under the common law rule [the creditor] can refuse the check or can accept it subject to the condition stated [ ], but [the creditor] can't accept the check and refuse to be bound by the condition. Id., (emphasis added)." Disclaimer: Please note that this answer does not constitute legal advice, and should not be relied on, since each state has different laws, each situation is fact specific, and it is impossible to evaluate a legal problem without a comprehensive consultation and review of all the facts and documents at issue. This answer does not create an attorney-client relationship.