California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company ActDissolution and Winding Up
Section § 17707.01
This California law outlines when a limited liability company (LLC) must be dissolved and its operations wound up. Dissolution happens under any of these circumstances: if an event described in the LLC's operating agreement or articles of organization takes place; if 50% or more of the voting members agree, or if a higher percentage is specified; if the LLC goes 90 days without any members, unless the member's interest passes to an heir or successor; or if a court orders the LLC to dissolve.
Section § 17707.02
This law describes the process for canceling a domestic limited liability company (LLC) in California that hasn't done any business. If more than half of the voting members, managers, or those who signed the original setup documents agree, they can file a cancellation within 12 months of forming the LLC. They must confirm the LLC has no debts, has filed necessary tax returns, and either has no assets or has properly distributed any remaining assets. Additionally, if the LLC took money from investors, it must return those funds. Once they file this cancellation, the company's powers and privileges will end, and the Secretary of State will inform the tax authorities.
Section § 17707.03
This law allows a court to dissolve a limited liability company (LLC) if certain serious problems occur, such as the business being unable to operate as agreed, internal conflicts, abandonment of the business, fraud, mismanagement, or abuse by those in control. If a dissolution action is filed, other members of the LLC can stop it by buying out the membership interests of those filing for dissolution at a fair market value. If they can't agree on the price, the court will appoint appraisers to determine the value. The process includes options to avoid dissolution through payment, and any valuation date for the buyout is generally set to when the dissolution action started, unless the court decides otherwise. The section also clarifies that lawsuits for dissolution can be stopped, but this does not affect other members' rights to contest dissolutions under these rules.
Section § 17707.04
If a limited liability company (LLC) dissolves, certain people need to handle its final affairs. If there are managers who have not caused the dissolution improperly, they take charge. If not, any remaining members or the signers of the LLC's original documents do so. They must send a notice to all known creditors and claimants. Alternatively, a court can appoint someone to handle the process if needed for protection. The individuals involved in winding up the LLC can receive reasonable compensation for their work unless the LLC's rules say otherwise.
Section § 17707.05
When a limited liability company (LLC) is closing down, it must first settle all known debts and liabilities, even those owed to its members, before distributing any leftover assets. These assets are divided among members based on specific rules unless otherwise stated in the LLC's governing documents. If the closure is under court supervision, distributions can only occur after a set claims period. Debts can be considered settled if they are taken up by a responsible entity or secured with a financial deposit, though this is not the only way to resolve them.
Section § 17707.06
Even if a limited liability company (LLC) cancels its official status, it still exists to wrap up any unfinished business like paying off debts or handling lawsuits. It can't keep doing regular business, just what’s necessary to close things out. If there’s a court case involving the LLC, canceling it doesn’t stop the case from continuing. If the LLC didn’t distribute all its assets during this process, the remaining assets are used to pay off debts and then given to the members. After an LLC is canceled, certain people can still act on its behalf to finish winding up, especially if others don’t know about the cancellation.
Section § 17707.07
This section deals with legal actions against a dissolved limited liability company (LLC). If someone has a claim against an LLC after it has dissolved, they can seek enforcement against the company's remaining assets or any distributed to members. Members may have to pay back if they received more than their fair share of the company's assets. However, you must act within the time limit—either the usual time allowed for the claim or four years after the company dissolved, whichever is first. You can also serve legal papers to a dissolved LLC by delivering them to certain people connected to the LLC or, if that fails, to the Secretary of State. Additionally, the dissolved LLC can still be sued in quiet title actions, which determine property ownership. Importantly, these rules do not change any existing rights the LLC's creditors may have.
Section § 17707.08
This law explains the steps required for officially dissolving a limited liability company (LLC) in California. When an LLC is dissolved, the managers or those handling the winding up must file a certificate of dissolution with the Secretary of State, containing specific details like the company's name and dissolution cause. If all members agree on dissolution, a separate certificate may not be needed. After finishing business and distributing assets, they must also file a certificate of cancellation. This certificate confirms that tax returns have been filed and states that the LLC will cease operations. The Secretary of State informs the Franchise Tax Board once this is done, and the LLC's powers, rights, and privileges will end, except in certain cases specified elsewhere.
Section § 17707.09
This law in California explains that even after filing paperwork to dissolve an LLC, a majority of its members can choose to keep the business going by submitting a form called a certificate of continuation. This can happen if the remaining members unanimously agree to keep the business, the original decision to dissolve is revoked by those who wanted it, or if it turns out the company was never actually dissolved. This certificate must include the LLC’s name, its file number, and reasons for continuing based on specific conditions. Once the continuation form is filed, the previous dissolution paperwork is nullified.