New York State Private Investigator Practice Exam

What does a general release document certify?

1. That all parties agree to stop litigation

2. That an individual has no further claims against another

3. That a contract is voided

4. That one party must pay damages

The correct answer is: That an individual has no further claims against another

A general release document certifies that an individual does not have any further claims against another party. This means that the individual waives their right to pursue any legal actions or claims regarding past events or disputes related to the subject of the release. It serves as a legal assurance that the releasing party has agreed to relinquish their rights and cannot bring up those claims in the future. While other choices touch on legal concepts, they do not capture the specific essence of a general release. For example, stopping litigation implies an agreement between parties to cease ongoing legal actions, but a general release goes further by addressing all potential claims. Similarly, a contract being voided pertains to the invalidation of an agreement itself, rather than the relinquishment of claims. The option of one party paying damages refers to the consequences of a breach or a legal settlement, which is not the primary function of a general release – that function is to ensure no further claims are present or can be pursued down the line.