What is Dissociation?
This post explains what dissociation is. This is part of Dana Shultz’s Canonical Questions on the Law® series of questions and answers about legal issues, concepts and terminology.
Definition of Dissociation
Dissociation is the process by which one:
- Stops being a member of a limited liability company (LLC); or
- Stops being a partner in a partnership.
Alternatively, this process sometimes is called withdrawal.
(more…)You Can’t Just Stop Being a Shareholder
This post explains why, in the U.S., one can’t just stop being a shareholder. I decided to write it after addressing this issue on Quora. Please see Corporate Law: What is the best method to abandon stock in a private company?
Ways to Stop Being a Shareholder
Corporate law does not permit a shareholder to unilaterally dispose of his or her shares. As a result: (more…)
A Member can Withdraw from an LLC, Despite the Operating Agreement
From time to time, I am asked how a member of a limited liability company (LLC) can stop being a member. In legal terms, this is referred to as a member wishing to withdraw from an LLC.
Section references below have been updated to reflect California’s new LLC law that took effect on January 1, 2014 (see RULLCA Brings New LLC Laws to California in 2014).
Under this new law, the term “withdraw from a limited liability company” was changed to “dissociate as a member” or “withdraw as a member”.
A well-written Operating Agreement will address this question directly. It will specify the circumstances under which members may withdraw from an LLC, and the consequences of withdrawal.
Can we kick one of the members out of our LLC?
I recently ran across a situation where several members of a limited liability company wanted to get rid of a fellow member whose disruptive behavior was harming the LLC, but they did not know whether or how they could kick him out.
The section reference below has been updated to reflect California’s new LLC law that took effect on January 1, 2014 (see RULLCA Brings New LLC Laws to California in 2014).
California Corporations Code Sections 17706.02(b) and (c) say that an LLC operating agreement may provide for dissociation of a member. Upon dissociation, the member loses the right to participate in the LLC’s activities and holds any transferable interest in the LLC as a transferee. (more…)
