What can lead to a discharged contract?

The completion of all terms in a contract signifies that both parties have fulfilled their obligations, leading to the contract being considered discharged. In essence, discharge by performance means that the parties have executed the exact terms of the agreement as specified, resulting in the cessation of their obligations. This is a fundamental concept in contract law, as performance is typically the ultimate goal of any agreement, and successful completion validates that both a promise and a consideration have been honored.

While voluntary amendments by both parties could also lead to a new agreement or modify an existing one, it does not inherently discharge the original contract unless the new terms are fully performed. Unauthorized changes made by one party or mutual disagreement do not result in discharge of the contract; rather, they may lead to disputes or claims for breach of contract. Thus, the most direct route to discharging a contract is indeed through the complete performance of its terms.