Settling a dispute, closing out a claim, or making a final payment to put something behind you? A general release (also called a release of all claims, a settlement and release agreement, or a mutual release) is the document that makes it official: one side gives up (releases) their legal claims against the other, usually in exchange for a settlement payment. It's what people and businesses search for by name to close out a fender-bender or property-damage claim, a return of a deposit, a severance-style buyout, or the end of a business disagreement. PaperKit builds the right one: pick the scope — a broad GENERAL RELEASE of any and all claims, known and unknown (with an express waiver of unknown claims, the classic settlement release); a narrow release of one SPECIFIC claim or matter; or a MUTUAL release where both sides release each other and both sign. Then set the terms: a LUMP-SUM settlement payment, payment in INSTALLMENTS on a schedule you describe, or NO PAYMENT (a release for good and valuable consideration only). It does the money for you and lays out every clause a settlement expects and lets you toggle: the operative release, the waiver of unknown claims, the settlement payment, no admission of liability, a covenant not to sue, and confidentiality — plus governing law and any extra terms. Releasing a minor's claim? Flip on the MINOR option and a parent or legal guardian signs on the child's behalf, with an optional notary block. It's self-drafted: the releasing party reviews and e-signs online, the released party acknowledges (or, for a mutual release, co-signs) on the signature line, and you download the clean PDF. (Whether a release is enforceable — especially a waiver of unknown claims, a release of certain statutory rights, or a release signed for a minor, which may need court approval — varies by state; confirm yours before relying on this form.)
The big lever — it decides what claims are given up and whether both sides release each other.
A broad general release of ANY and ALL claims — known and unknown — with an express waiver of unknown claims. The classic settlement release.
Drives the settlement recital. No-payment ignores the amount and runs on good & valuable consideration.
A single settlement payment in exchange for the release.
The sum the releasee pays in exchange for the release.
The party giving up the claims. You draft and e-sign; the released party acknowledges (or co-signs for a mutual release).
The person or business being released. They acknowledge on the signature line.
Turn off anything that doesn't apply.
A real, section-by-section general release. The scope drives what's released; the payment terms drive the settlement recital. Publish to get a hosted link the releasing party can e-sign online.
$9/mo — remove the DRAFT watermark + “Made with PaperKit” badge, unlimited clean-PDF releases, and Pro across every tool.
A general release / release of all claims is a template for convenience, not legal advice. It records a releasing party's agreement (or a parent's/guardian's agreement for a minor) to give up claims against another party, usually in exchange for a settlement payment. Whether a release is enforceable — especially a waiver of unknown claims, a release of certain statutory rights, or a release signed on behalf of a minor, which may require court approval — varies by state. PaperKit is not a law firm and records electronic execution via the signer's typed name; confirm your state's requirements before relying on this form.