In the case of Military College v. Brooks 147 A. 488 (N.J.Supp. 1929), Brooks sent his kid to a fancy military academy. The kid ended up getting expelled. Afterwards, the academy sent Brooks a bill for tuition for the following term (when the kid would not be enrolled). When Brooks refused to pay, the academy threatened to sue. Brooks settled the claim and paid the tuition money but then later sued to get the money back. Brooks claimed that since the school couldn't win a lawsuit for the tuition if the kid didn't attend school he faced no liability and so should not have to pay the tuition. (In other words there was no unliquidated claim to settle). However, in this case, the Court upheld the settlement, finding that it didn't matter if Brooks was legally obligated to pay the tuition, once he formally agreed to pay it, he was obligated to pay it. What Brooks should have dine instead was refuse to pay, let the academy sue, and then win in court.