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HomeCorporations CodeCh. 8§ 12509 Corporate Term Extension Rules

§ 12509 Corporate Term Extension Rules

Corporations Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 12509 Corporate Term Extension Rules

This law lets a company that was set up to last only a certain time change its rules to last forever. But if the new name is already taken, they have to pick a new one.

Key Takeaways

  • •A company that was supposed to end after a certain time can change its rules to last forever.
  • •If the company's name is already taken by another company, they must pick a new name.
  • •The people running the company can make these changes even if their time in charge was supposed to end.

Example

A small bakery was set up to run for only 10 years, but now the owners want it to keep running forever.

The bakery can change its rules to last forever, but if another bakery already has the same name, they must choose a new name for their bakery.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 12509 Corporate Term Extension Rules

A corporation formed for a limited period may at any time subject to the expiration of the term of its corporate existence, extend the term of its existence by an amendment to its articles removing any provision limiting the term of its existence and providing for perpetual existence. If the filing of the certificate of amendment providing for perpetual existence would be prohibited if it were original articles by the provisions of Section 12302, the Secretary of State shall not file such certificate unless, by the same or a concurrently filed certificate of amendment, the articles of such corporation are amended to adopt a new available name. For the purpose of the adoption of any such amendment, persons who have been functioning as directors of such corporation shall be considered to have been validly elected even though their election may have occurred after the expiration of the original term of the corporate existence. (Added by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1625, Sec. 3. Operative January 1, 1984.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

perpetual existencecertificate of amendmentnew available namedirectors

Related Statutes

  • § 12506 Incorporator Amendment Filing
  • § 5815 Certificate Of Amendment Filing
  • § 5818 Corporate Term Extension Rules
  • § 7815 Incorporator Amendment Filing
  • § 7818 Corporate Term Extension Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Corporations Code. Section 12509.
View Official Source