Anticipatory Breach Definition

When a party to a contract declares that he or she will not be performing his or her contractural obligations, either by word (for example, "I won't deliver the rest of the goods") or by action (for example, not showing up with goods or stopping payment). The result is that the other party to the contract is excused from having to complete his or her obligations under the agreement. Anticipatory breach is often a defense to a lawsuit for payment or performance on a contract. One cannot repudiate one's obligations and demand that the other person perform.