Corporate Suspension and Personal Liability are Two Different Things
This is an edited version of a LinkedIn question and my answer. (They no longer are available there because LinkedIn removed its Q&A feature.) Q. In California, does suspension of a corporation automatically “pierce the corporate veil” resulting in personal liability (suspension for non-payment of taxes would seem to be the ultimate in “disregard of corporate formalities”)?
A. In my opinion, mere failure to pay taxes does not constitute disregard of corporate formalities or the basis for an alter ego finding. (more…)
Beware Your Alter Ego
This post discusses the alter ego doctrine, particularly as it is applied by courts in California.
The section references 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).
Corporations have existed for centuries. One way they promote economic activity is by allowing stockholders to limit their personal liability for corporate debts to the amount of their individual investments in the corporation (“limited personal liability”). (more…)
