exoneration

noun

ex·​on·​er·​a·​tion ig-ˌzä-nə-ˈrā-shən, eg- 

1

: the act of disburdening or discharging (as from a charge, liability, obligation, duty, or responsibility)

also : the state of being so freed

2

a

: the right of a person who has paid a debt for which he or she is only secondarily liable to be reimbursed by the person primarily liable

b

: the right of a surety to require a person or estate that is subject to a liability for which the surety is secondarily liable to discharge the liability thus relieving the surety

also : the equitable remedy by which the surety compels discharge of the liability