What is a contingent liability? How is a contingent liability reported?
A contingent liability is not an effective liability; rather it is a potential future liability. A contingent liability arises because of some transaction or event that has already occurred which may, depending upon one or more future events, cause the creation of a true liability. A typical example is a lawsuit for damages. Whether the defendant has a liability depends upon the ultimate decision of the court. Pending that decision there is a contingent liability (and a contingent loss). This contingency must be recorded and reported (debit, loss; credit, liability) if it is "probable" that the decision will require the payment of damages that can be reasonably estimated. If it is only "reasonably possible" that a loss will be incurred, only footnote disclosure is required.
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