What does the phrase 'Something that has already been released or satisfied' refer to in Rule 60(b) grounds?

• A. Judgment has been satisfied, released, or discharged
• B. Excusable neglect
• C. Newly discovered evidence
• D. Fraud

Answer: (A)

Relief from a final judgment under Rule 60(b) includes a provision for judgments that have already been satisfied, released, or discharged. That language targets situations where the obligation created by the judgment has been fulfilled—payment has been made, the debtor has been released from liability, or a discharge in bankruptcy has extinguished the obligation. In such cases, there’s no ongoing dispute to adjudicate, and relief can avoid inconsistent results or double recovery.

The other grounds refer to different reasons for relief—excusable neglect, newly discovered evidence, or fraud—each addressing different circumstances and not the status of the judgment itself. So the phrase points to a judgment that has been satisfied, released, or discharged.