62A.3-414 - Obligation of drawer. - Washington Statutes

Obligation of drawer.

(a) This section does not apply to cashier's checks or other drafts drawn on the drawer.

     (b) If an unaccepted draft is dishonored, the drawer is obliged to pay the draft (i) according to its terms at the time it was issued or, if not issued, at the time it first came into possession of a holder, or (ii) if the drawer signed an incomplete instrument, according to its terms when completed, to the extent stated in RCW 62A.3-115 and 62A.3-407. The obligation is owed to a person entitled to enforce the draft or to an indorser who paid the draft under RCW 62A.3-415.

     (c) If a draft is accepted by a bank, the drawer is discharged, regardless of when or by whom acceptance was obtained.

     (d) If a draft is accepted and the acceptor is not a bank, the obligation of the drawer to pay the draft if the draft is dishonored by the acceptor is the same as the obligation of an indorser under RCW 62A.3-415 (a) and (c).

     (e) If a draft states that it is drawn "without recourse" or otherwise disclaims liability of the drawer to pay the draft, the drawer is not liable under subsection (b) to pay the draft if the draft is not a check. A disclaimer of the liability stated in subsection (b) is not effective if the draft is a check.

     (f) If (i) a check is not presented for payment or given to a depositary bank for collection within 30 days after its date, (ii) the drawee suspends payments after expiration of the 30-day period without paying the check, and (iii) because of the suspension of payments, the drawer is deprived of funds maintained with the drawee to cover payment of the check, the drawer to the extent deprived of funds may discharge its obligation to pay the check by assigning to the person entitled to enforce the check the rights of the drawer against the drawee with respect to the funds.

[1993 c 229 § 54; 1965 ex.s. c 157 § 3-414. Cf. former RCW sections: (i) RCW 62.01.038; 1955 c 35 § 62.01.038; prior: 1899 c 149 § 38; RRS § 3429. (ii) RCW 62.01.044; 1955 c 35 § 62.01.044; prior: 1899 c 149 § 44; RRS § 3435. (iii) RCW 62.01.066 through 62.01.068; 1955 c 35 §§ 62.01.066 through 62.01.068; prior: 1899 c 149 §§ 66 through 68; RRS §§ 3457 through 3459.]

Notes: Recovery of attorneys' fees -- Effective date -- 1993 c 229: See RCW 62A.11-111 and 62A.11-112.