Ala. Code
Code of Alabama

Ala. Code § 7-3-115 (2026)

Incomplete Instrument.

✓ official Alabama Legislature (ALISON) text, current July 2026
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(a) “Incomplete instrument” means a signed writing, whether or not issued by the signer, the contents of which show at the time of signing that it is incomplete but that the signer intended it to be completed by the addition of words or numbers.

(b) Subject to subsection (c), if an incomplete instrument is an instrument under Section 7-3-104, it may be enforced according to its terms if it is not completed, or according to its terms as augmented by completion. If an incomplete instrument is not an instrument under Section 7-3-104, but, after completion, the requirements of Section 7-3-104 are met, the instrument may be enforced according to its terms as augmented by completion.

(c) If words or numbers are added to an incomplete instrument without authority of the signer, there is an alteration of the incomplete instrument under Section 7-3-407.

(d) The burden of establishing that words or numbers were added to an incomplete instrument without authority of the signer is on the person asserting the lack of authority.

(Acts 1965, No. 549, p. 811; repealed by Acts 1995, No. 95-668, p. 1381, §1; added by Acts 1995, No. 95-668, p. 1381, §1.)

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 1 case, 1986–1986 · leading case: Amsouth Bank, N.A. v. Spigener, 505 So. 2d 1030 (Ala. 1986).
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Amsouth Bank, N.A. v. Spigener, 505 So. 2d 1030 (Ala. 1986). “Section 7-3-115, dealing with incomplete instruments, provides: "(1) When a paper whose contents at the time of signing show that it is intended to become an instrument is signed while still incomplete in any necessary respect it cannot be enforced until completed, but when it…”
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