What is a cure period in a contract?

A cure period is a set amount of time to fix a contract problem after notice, before the other side can take the next step such as termination, suspension, late fees, default remedies, or another contract response.

For example, a contract might say one party has 10 days to cure a breach after receiving written notice. That usually means the notice comes first, then the cure-period clock starts based on the contract's notice language.

This guide is general information only, not legal advice. It explains the term as an organized starting point for reading your own contract.

Where cure periods usually appear

Cure periods often appear near language about breach, default, termination for cause, nonpayment, missed deadlines, or failure to perform. A contract may say that a party has 10, 15, or 30 days to cure after receiving written notice.

What is a cure notice?

A cure notice is the message that tells the other side there is a contract problem and gives them a chance to fix it. The contract may require the notice to be written, sent to a particular person or address, delivered by a certain method, or include specific details about the breach.

Search for both the cure-period section and the notice section. The cure language may say "after notice," but the notice section may explain where notice must be sent and when it counts as received.

What starts the cure period?

The start date can depend on the exact wording. Some contracts start the clock when notice is sent. Others start it when notice is received, delivered, or deemed received under the notice clause. That difference can matter if the deadline is short.

Look for phrases like "within 10 days after notice," "after receipt of written notice," "after delivery of notice," or "after notice is deemed given."

Details to locate

• How many days the cure period lasts
• What event starts the cure period
• Whether written notice is required
• Which breaches can be cured
• What happens if the issue is not fixed in time

What happens if the issue is not cured?

If the issue is not cured in time, the contract may allow the other side to terminate for cause, suspend performance, charge fees, withhold payment, demand repayment, or use another remedy. The cure-period clause may point to other sections, so read the surrounding termination, default, payment, and remedies language together.

Why it may matter

A cure period can affect whether a contract ends immediately or whether a party gets time to fix the issue. It can also affect timelines for payment, performance, delivery, and dispute discussions.

Example cure period language in plain English

If a clause says, "Either party may terminate this Agreement if the other party materially breaches and fails to cure such breach within 15 days after written notice," the basic idea is: one side must give written notice of the problem, the other side gets 15 days to fix it, and termination may become available if the problem is not fixed in time.

The details still matter. You would still need to check what counts as a material breach, where notice must be sent, when notice counts as received, and whether some breaches allow immediate termination.

Questions to ask before signing

• Whether the cure period applies to all breaches or only certain breaches
• Whether the number of days is stated clearly
• Whether notice must be sent to a specific address or email
• Whether some events allow immediate termination without a cure period