Indebtedness
Black's Law Dictionary · Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
Black's Law Dictionary
The state of being in debt, without regard to the ability or inability of the party to pay the same.
See 1 Story, Eq. Jut. 343; 2 Hill, Abr. 421.
The word implies an absolute or complete liability. A contingent liability such as that of a surety bsfore the principal has made default, does not constitute indebtedness. On the other hand, the money need not be immediately payable. Obligations yet to become due constitute indebtedness, as well as those already due.
St. Louis Perpefual Ins. Co., v. Goodfellow, 9 Mo. 149.