What clauses must a promissory note contain?

Asked by: Dr. Chanel Rath I  |  Last update: February 25, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (48 votes)

The note always should set forth, at a minimum, the parties, the amount owed, the payment terms, the interest rate, and the creditor's remedies upon default. Promissory notes can operate as security agreements if the right provisions are included.

What are the standard clauses in a promissory note?

A promissory note typically contains all the terms involved, such as the principal debt amount, interest rate, maturity date, payment schedule, the date and place of issuance, and the issuer's signature.

What must a promissory note contain?

A Promissory Note must always be written by hand. It must include all the mandatory elements such as the legal names of the payee and maker's name, amount being loaned / to be repaid, full terms of the agreement and the full amount of liability, beside other elements.

What is required for a promissory note to be valid?

Essential Elements of a Promissory Note

A promissory note must include: Parties Involved: Lists the lender and borrower. Principal Amount: States the exact amount of money borrowed. Interest Rate: Specifies the interest rate, if applicable.

What makes a promissory note invalid?

A promissory note could become invalid if: It isn't signed by both parties. The note violates laws. One party tries to change the terms of the agreement without notifying the other party.

Promissory Notes Explained

19 related questions found

What makes a promissory note void?

Changes Made without a New Agreement

Modifying a promissory note without all parties' consent can void the note. Proper documentation and agreement through a new contract or amendment are necessary to maintain the note's validity.

Which of the following statements about promissory notes is incorrect?

Answer and Explanation: The correct option is c: The incorrect statement is a promissory note is not a negotiable instrument.

What makes a promissory note legally binding?

I REPEAT: Both parties must sign the promissory note! This means both the lender and borrower must sign the original document (plus any amended versions). Without the signatures, the promissory note has no legal leg to stand on.

What happens if the maker of a promissory note fails to pay?

If the maker fails to pay according to the terms of the promissory note, the holder can foreclose on the property that secured the note, thereby recovering the unpaid principal of the note, interest, fees and expenses. An unsecured promissory note is one that is not secured by any collateral.

Does a promissory note hold up in a court of law?

Promissory notes are legally binding whether the note is secured by collateral or based only on the promise of repayment. If you lend money to someone who defaults on a promissory note and does not repay, you can legally possess any property that individual promised as collateral.

Which of the following is not required in a promissory note?

Acceptance is not an essential requirement of a valid promissory note.

What is the governing law for promissory notes?

Just as with some other types of contracts, there is a requirement for certain Notes that they be in writing and that requirement is located in the California Civil Code, 1624(a) which provides that certain contracts, “…are invalid unless the same, or some note or memorandum thereof, is in writing and subscribed by the ...

What must a promissory note contain to make it negotiable?

A note is a negotiable instrument under UCC § 3-104(a) if it contains (1) an unconditional promise to pay a fixed amount of money on demand or at a fixed time, (2) no additional obligations of the maker other than payment, (3) contractual terms within the note itself rather than in any additional document and (4) an ...

What must a promissory note be?

Key Characteristics of Promissory Notes:

Must be in writing, containing a clear, unconditional promise to pay a specified sum. Payment must be made either on demand or at a fixed, determinable future date. The specified amount must be clear and payable to the order or bearer, ensuring negotiability.

What is the promissory rule?

A "Promissory note" is an instrument in writing (not being a bank-note or a currency-note) containing an unconditional undertaking, signed by the maker, to pay a certain sum of money only to, or to the order of, a certain person, or to the bearer of the instrument.

What are the four elements that must be shown for promissory estoppel to apply?

Rule. The elements of a promissory estoppel claim are “(1) a promise clear and unambiguous in its terms; (2) reliance by the party to whom the promise is made; (3) [the] reliance must be both reasonable and foreseeable; and (4) the party asserting the estoppel must be injured by his reliance.” (US Ecology, Inc.

What voids a promissory note?

A promissory note is a contract, a binding agreement that someone will pay your business a sum of money. However under some circumstances – if the note has been altered, it wasn't correctly written, or if you don't have the right to claim the debt – then, the contract becomes null and void.

What makes a note invalid?

Essential Elements: A valid promissory note must include a signature, date, sum, payer, and payee. Clear Payment Terms: Absence of clear payment terms can lead to the invalidity of a promissory note. Due Payment Date: Omission of a due payment date can render a promissory note invalid.

What is primarily liable on a promissory note?

It is the maker who is primarily liable on a promissory note. The issuer of a note or the maker is one of the parties who, by means of a written promise, pay another party (the note's payee) a definite sum of money, either on demand or at a specified future date.

How do I get out of paying a promissory note?

The debt owed on a promissory note either can be paid off, or the noteholder can forgive the debt even if it has not been fully paid. In either case, a release of promissory note needs to be signed by the noteholder.

What are the grounds for promissory estoppel?

Promissory estoppel means that a person will be prevented (estopped) from denying liability for breaching his or her promise, when another person reasonably relied upon that promise and justice requires that the promise be enforced. [(5) That injustice can be avoided only if the promise is enforced].

What is the master promissory note?

The Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s).

What are the problems with promissory notes?

Fraud and investor deception related to promissory notes is significant. Fraudulent promissory note programs often promise very high or guaranteed returns to investors, state that the notes are backed by collateral to guarantee them, or make other appealing but ultimately unfounded claims.

What are the limitations of promissory note?

The time period for filing a suit for money recovery is 3 years from the date promissory note as per Art 35 of Limitation Act 1963 and as per sec 19 of Limitation Act, the fresh period of limitation must be computed in case of any payment was made or otherwise acknoledged the debt.

What is false regarding a promissory note?

Explanation: The false statement regarding a promissory note is d) It is the term used for a note that is guaranteed or insured by a governmental agency. A promissory note is a written agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of a loan, including the borrower's promise to repay the loan.