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HomeCorporations CodeGENERAL PROVISIONSCh. 5Art. 6§ 16602 Partner Dissociation Rights

§ 16602 Partner Dissociation Rights

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

§ 16602 Partner Dissociation Rights

This law says a partner can quit a partnership whenever they want, but quitting is considered wrongful if it breaks the partnership agreement or leaves before the partnership’s set time ends, and a wrongful quitter must pay damages.

Key Takeaways

  • •A partner can leave a partnership at any time by stating they want to.
  • •Leaving is wrongful if it breaks an express term of the partnership agreement or ends the partnership before its agreed‑upon time, unless specific exceptions apply.
  • •A partner who wrongfully leaves must pay damages to the partnership and the other partners, in addition to any other obligations.

Example

A friend joins a five‑year bakery partnership that says each partner must stay for the full five years. After two years, the friend decides to quit and start a new shop.

Because the partnership agreement required the partner to stay for the whole five‑year term, quitting early is a wrongful dissociation. Under this law the friend would have to pay the partnership and the other partners for any losses caused by leaving early.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 16602 Partner Dissociation Rights

(a) A partner has the power to dissociate at any time, rightfully or wrongfully, by express will pursuant to paragraph (1) of Section 16601. (b) A partner’s dissociation is wrongful only if any of the following apply: (1) It is in breach of an express provision of the partnership agreement. (2) In the case of a partnership for a definite term or particular undertaking, before the expiration of the term or the completion of the undertaking if any of the following apply: (A) The partner withdraws by express will, unless the withdrawal follows within 90 days after another partner’s dissociation by death or otherwise under paragraphs (6) to (10), inclusive, of Section 16601 or wrongful dissociation under this subdivision. (B) The partner is expelled by judicial determination under paragraph (5) of Section 16601. (C) The partner is dissociated by becoming a debtor in bankruptcy. (D) In the case of a partner who is not an individual, trust other than a business trust, or estate, the partner is expelled or otherwise dissociated because it willfully dissolved or terminated. (c) A partner who wrongfully dissociates is liable to the partnership and to the other partners for damages caused by the dissociation. The liability is in addition to any other obligation of the partner to the partnership or to the other partners. (Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1003, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1997.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

dissociatewrongful dissociationpartnership agreementdefinite termparticular undertakingliability for damages

Related Statutes

  • § 15906.04 Partner Dissociation Rules
  • § 17706.01 Member Dissociation Rules
  • § 16601 Partner Dissociation Events
  • § 15906.01 Limited Partner Dissociation Rules
  • § 16103 Partnership Agreement Governance Limits

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Corporations Code. Section 16602.
View Official Source