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HomeCorporations CodeCh. 8§ 5818 Corporate Term Extension Rules

§ 5818 Corporate Term Extension Rules

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

§ 5818 Corporate Term Extension Rules

Key Takeaways

  • •A company that was supposed to exist for a limited time can decide to exist forever by changing its rules.
  • •If the new forever-rule would break another law (Section 5122), the company must also change its name to one that’s allowed.
  • •Even if the company’s leaders were chosen after the original time limit, they can still make these changes.

Example

A small bakery was set up to run for only 10 years, but after that time, the owners want to keep it open forever.

The bakery can change its rules to stay open forever. But if the new rules would break another law, they also have to pick a new name for the bakery. Even if the current managers were chosen after the 10 years, they can still make these changes.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 5818 Corporate Term Extension Rules

A corporation formed for a limited period may at any time subsequent 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 5122, 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. 1978, Ch. 567.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

corporationlimited periodperpetual existenceamendmentarticlesSecretary of StateSection 5122directors

Related Statutes

  • § 7818 Corporate Term Extension Rules
  • § 12501 Amending Articles Before Directors
  • § 7811 Amending Articles By Incorporators
  • § 12504 Corporate Status Amendment Rules
  • § 12509 Corporate Term Extension Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Corporations Code. Section 5818.
View Official Source