On December 12, the governor of New York signed into law amendments to the state’s real estate laws to clarify procedures for discharging a mortgage. The legislation revised the law to require mortgagees to accept and promptly apply any payment received at the specified location and in the manner specified by the mortgagee. The act prohibits mortgagees from returning or destroying payments made related to a payoff statement, ensuring that such payments are applied to the “unpaid principal, interest, or any other amounts due under the mortgage.” The act further stipulates that these requirements apply notwithstanding any contrary provision of the real property law. The act took effect immediately upon passage.