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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 3Pt. 2Ch. 6Art. 7§ 12596 Charitable Trust Enforcement Period

§ 12596 Charitable Trust Enforcement Period

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

§ 12596 Charitable Trust Enforcement Period

Key Takeaways

  • •The Attorney General can sue people who misuse charity money or property within 10 years of the wrongdoing.
  • •This includes suing trustees, charity leaders, or anyone who helps them do something wrong with charity funds.
  • •The 10-year rule applies even if the wrongdoing involves breaking other laws about charities or trusts.

Example

A charity collects money to help sick kids, but the boss uses the money to buy a fancy car instead.

The Attorney General can sue the boss to get the money back for the charity, but they have to do it within 10 years of the boss buying the car.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 12596 Charitable Trust Enforcement Period

(a) A civil action brought by the Attorney General against trustees or other persons holding property in trust for charitable purposes or against any charitable corporation or any director or officer thereof to enforce a charitable trust or to impress property with a trust for charitable purposes or to recover property or the proceeds thereof for and on behalf of any charitable trust or corporation, may be brought at any time within 10 years after the cause of action accrued. (b) A civil action brought by the Attorney General for a violation of this article, pursuant to Section 2223 or 2224 of the Civil Code, or pursuant to Division 2 (commencing with Section 5000) of Title 1 of the Corporations Code, may be brought at any time within 10 years after the cause of action accrued. (c) Notwithstanding Section 12581, the Attorney General may bring a civil action against a person who aids or abets a violation of this article, Section 2223 or 2224 of the Civil Code, or Article 3 (commencing with Section 5230) of Chapter 2 of Part 2 of Division 2 of Title 1 of the Corporations Code, at any time within 10 years after the cause of action accrued. (Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 299, Sec. 3. (AB 556) Effective January 1, 2016.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

charitable trustcivil actionAttorney Generalcause of action10 years

Related Statutes

  • § 12594 Exemption Application List
  • § 12597 State Recovery Of Enforcement Costs
  • § 12599.7 Charitable Fundraiser Recordkeeping Requirements
  • § 12582 Charitable Trust Trustee Definition
  • § 12584 Charitable Trusts Register

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 12596.
View Official Source