Natural obligation in the United States

A natural obligation arises from circumstances in which the law implies a particular moral duty to render a performance. It may not be enforced by judicial action; however, whatever has been freely performed in compliance with a natural obligation may not be reclaimed, and a contract made for the performance of a natural obligation is ONEROUS. (See CONVENTIONAL OBLIGATION; REPETITION.) An example of a natural obligation is an obligation that has been extinguished by PRESCRIPTION or discharged in bankruptcy. Similar to moral consideration.