CHAPTER 16. Voluntary Dissolution [12630. - 12638.]

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP 16.

in effect

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 12630. Section 12630.

(a) Any corporation may elect voluntarily to wind up and dissolve (1) by approval of a majority of all members (Section 12223) or (2) by approval of the board and approval of the members (Section 12224). (b) Any corporation which comes within one of the following descriptions may elect by approval of the board to wind up and dissolve: (1) A corporation which has been the subject of an order for relief in bankruptcy. (2) A corporation which has disposed of all of its assets and has not conducted any activity for a period of five years immediately preceding the adoption of the resolution electing to dissolve the corporation. (3) A corporation which has no members. (c) If a corporation comes within one of the descriptions in subdivision (b) and if the number of directors then in office is less than a quorum, it may elect to voluntarily wind up and dissolve by any of the following: (1) The unanimous consent of the directors then in office. (2) The affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office at a meeting held pursuant to waiver of notice by those directors complying with subdivision (a) of Section 12351. (3) The vote of a sole remaining director. (d) If a corporation elects to voluntarily wind up and dissolve pursuant to subdivision (c), references to the board in this chapter and Chapter 17 (commencing with Section 12650) shall be deemed to be to a board consisting solely of those directors or that sole director and action by the board shall require at least the same consent or vote as would be required under subdivision (c) for an election to wind up and dissolve.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 12631. Section 12631.

(a) Whenever a corporation has elected to wind up and dissolve a certificate evidencing that election shall forthwith be filed. (b) The certificate shall be an officers’ certificate or shall be signed and verified by at least a majority of the directors then in office or by one or more members authorized to do so by approval of a majority of all members (Section 12223) and shall set forth: (1) That the corporation has elected to wind up and dissolve. (2) If the election was made by the vote of members alone, the number of votes for the election and that the election was made by persons holding at least a majority of the voting power. (3) If the certificate is executed by a member or members, that the subscribing person or persons were authorized to execute the certificate by persons representing at least a majority of the voting power. (4) If the election was made by the board pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 12630, the certificate shall also set forth the circumstances showing the corporation to be within one of the categories described in that subdivision. (c) If an election to dissolve made pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 12630 is made by the vote of all the members of a corporation with members or by a vote of all members of the board of a corporation without members pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 12630 and a statement to that effect is added to the certificate of dissolution pursuant to Section 12635, the separate filing of the certificate of election pursuant to this section is not required.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 12632. Section 12632.

(a) A voluntary election to wind up and dissolve may be revoked prior to distribution of any assets: (1) if the election was made pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 12630, by the approval of a majority of all members; (2) if the election was made pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 12630, by approval of the board and approval of the members; or (3) if the election was by the board pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 12630, by approval of the board. Thereupon a certificate evidencing the revocation shall be signed, verified and filed in the manner prescribed by Section 12631. (b) The certificate shall set forth: (1) That the corporation has revoked its election to wind up and dissolve. (2) That no assets have been distributed pursuant to the election. (3) If the revocation was made by the vote of members alone, the number of votes for the revocation and that the revocation was made by persons representing at least a majority of the voting power. (4) If the revocation was made by the approval of the board and the approval of the members, the certificate shall so state. (5) If the revocation was made by the board alone, the certificate shall so state.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 12633. Section 12633.

(a) Voluntary proceedings for winding up the corporation commence upon the adoption of the resolution required by Section 12630 by the members or by the board, electing to wind up and dissolve. (b) When a voluntary proceeding for winding up has commenced, the board shall continue to act as a board and shall have full powers to wind up and settle its affairs, both before and after the filing of the certificate of dissolution. (c) When a voluntary proceeding for winding up has commenced, the corporation shall cease to conduct its activities except to the extent necessary for the beneficial winding up thereof, to the extent necessary to carry out its purposes, and except during such period as the board may deem necessary to preserve the corporation’s goodwill or going-concern value pending a sale or other disposition of its assets, or both, in whole or in part. The board shall cause written notice of the commencement of the proceeding for voluntary winding up to be given by mail to all its members (except no notice need be given to the members who voted in favor of winding up and dissolving the corporation), to all known creditors, and claimants whose addresses appear on the records of the corporation.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 12634. Section 12634.

If a corporation is in the process of voluntary winding up, the superior court of the proper county, upon the petition of (a) the corporation, or (b) a member or members possessing 5 percent or more of the voting power, or (c) three or more creditors, and upon such notice to the corporation and to other persons interested in the corporation as members and creditors as the court may order, may take jurisdiction over such voluntary winding up proceeding if that appears necessary for the protection of any parties in interest. The court, if it assumes jurisdiction, may make such orders as to any and all matters concerning the winding up of the affairs of the corporation and the protection of its members and creditors as justice and equity may require. The provisions of Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 12620) (except Sections 12620 and 12621) shall apply to such court proceedings.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 12635. Section 12635.

(a) When a corporation has been completely wound up without court proceedings therefor, a majority of the directors then in office shall sign and verify a certificate of dissolution stating: (1) That the corporation has been completely wound up. (2) That its known debts and liabilities have been actually paid, or adequately provided for, or paid or adequately provided for as far as its assets permitted, or that it has incurred no known debts or liabilities, as the case may be. If there are known debts or liabilities for payment of which adequate provision has been made, the certificate shall state what provision has been made, setting forth the name and address of the corporation, person or governmental agency that has assumed or guaranteed the payment, or the name and address of the depositary with which deposit has been made or such other information as may be necessary to enable the creditor or other person to whom payment is to be made to appear and claim payment of the debt or liability. (3) That its known assets have been distributed to the persons entitled thereto or that it acquired no known assets, as the case may be. (4) That the corporation is dissolved. (5) That a final franchise tax return, as described by Section 23332 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, has been or will be filed with the Franchise Tax Board, as required under Part 10.2 (commencing with Section 18401) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code. (b) The certificate of dissolution shall be filed and thereupon the corporate existence shall cease, except for the purpose of further winding up if needed. The Secretary of State shall notify the Franchise Tax Board of the dissolution.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 12636. Section 12636.

Except as otherwise provided by law, if the term of existence for which any corporation was organized expires without renewal or extension thereof, the board shall terminate its activities and wind up its affairs; and when the affairs of the corporation have been wound up a majority of the directors shall execute and file a certificate conforming to the requirements of Section 12635.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 12637. Section 12637.

(a) The board, in lieu of filing the certificate of dissolution, may petition the superior court of the proper county for an order declaring the corporation duly wound up and dissolved. Such petition shall be filed in the name of the corporation. (b) Upon the filing of the petition, the court shall make an order requiring all interested persons to show cause why an order shall not be made declaring the corporation duly wound up and dissolved and shall direct that the order be served by notice to all creditors, claimants, and members in the same manner as the notice given under subdivision (b) of Section 12627. (c) Any person claiming to be interested as member, creditor, or otherwise may appear in the proceeding at any time before the expiration of 30 days from the completion of publication of the order to show cause and contest the petition, and upon failure to appear such person’s claim shall be barred. (d) Thereafter an order shall be entered and filed and have the effect as prescribed in Sections 12628 and 12629.

Cal. Corporations Code - CORP § 12638. Section 12638.

(a) A corporation in the process of winding up may dispose of the known claims against it by following the procedure described in this section. (b) The written notice to known creditors and claimants required by subdivision (c) of Section 12633 shall comply with all of the following requirements: (1) Describe any information that must be included in a claim. (2) Provide a mailing address where a claim may be sent. (3) State the deadline, which shall not be fewer than 120 days from the effective date of the written notice, by which the corporation must receive the claim. (4) State that the claim will be barred if not received by the deadline. (c) A claim against the corporation is barred if any of the following occur: (1) A claimant who has been given the written notice under subdivision (b) does not deliver the claim to the corporation by the deadline. (2) A claimant whose claim was rejected by the corporation does not commence a proceeding to enforce the claim within 90 days from the effective date of the rejection notice. (d) For purposes of this section, “claim” does not include a contingent liability or a claim based on an event occurring after the effective date of dissolution.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026