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HomeCorporations CodeCh. 20§ 2008 Unclaimed Corporate Payments Trust

§ 2008 Unclaimed Corporate Payments Trust

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

§ 2008 Unclaimed Corporate Payments Trust

This law lets a corporation put money or property it owes to shareholders or creditors into a trust with the Controller when the owners can’t be found, refuse the payment, or there’s a dispute, and then pay it out later when the rightful owner proves who they are.

Key Takeaways

  • •If a shareholder or creditor can’t be found, refuses payment, or there’s a dispute, the corporation may deposit the money with the Controller.
  • •The deposited money is held in trust for the rightful owner until they prove their claim.
  • •The deposit is treated like a regular deposit under the civil procedure rules, so it can be recovered following those rules.

Example

A company declares a cash dividend, but one shareholder moved away and can’t be located, and the company can’t be sure who really owns the shares.

The company puts the dividend money into a trust with the Controller. When the missing shareholder later shows proof of ownership, the Controller releases the money to them.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 2008 Unclaimed Corporate Payments Trust

(a) If any shareholders or creditors are unknown or fail or refuse to accept their payment, dividend, or distribution in cash or property or their whereabouts cannot be ascertained after diligent inquiry, or the existence or amount of a claim of a creditor or shareholder is contingent, contested, or not determined, or if the ownership of any shares of stock is in dispute, the corporation may deposit any such payment, dividend, distribution, or the maximum amount of the claim with the Controller in trust for the benefit of those lawfully entitled to the payment, dividend, distribution, or the amount of the claim. The payment, dividend, or distribution shall be paid over by the depositary to the lawful owners, their representatives or assigns, upon satisfactory proof of title. (b) For the purpose of providing for the transmittal, receipt, accounting for, claiming, management, and investment of all money or other property deposited with the Controller under subdivision (a), the money or other property shall be deemed to be paid or delivered for deposit with the Controller under Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 1500) of Title 10 of Part 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure, and may be recovered in the manner prescribed in that chapter. (Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 860, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1997.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

shareholderscreditorsControllerChapter 7Title 10Part 3Code of Civil Procedure

Related Statutes

  • § 6718 Unclaimed Corporate Payments Trust
  • § 2004 Corporate Asset Distribution Rules
  • § 12659 Unclaimed Property Deposits
  • § 1904 Corporate Winding Up Oversight
  • § 8720 Unclaimed Corporate Distributions Trust

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Corporations Code. Section 2008.
View Official Source