16701-16705
CORPORATIONS CODE
SECTION 16701-16705
16701. Except as provided in Section 16701.5, all of the following shall apply: (a) If a partner is dissociated from a partnership, the partnership shall cause the dissociated partner's interest in the partnership to be purchased for a buyout price determined pursuant to subdivision (b). (b) The buyout price of a dissociated partner's interest is the amount that would have been distributable to the dissociating partner under subdivision (b) of Section 16807 if, on the date of dissociation, the assets of the partnership were sold at a price equal to the greater of the liquidation value or the value based on a sale of the entire business as a going concern without the dissociated partner and the partnership was wound up as of that date. Interest shall be paid from the date of dissociation to the date of payment. (c) Damages for wrongful dissociation under Section 16602, and all other amounts owing, whether or not presently due, from the dissociated partner to the partnership, shall be offset against the buyout price. Interest shall be paid from the date the amount owed becomes due to the date of payment. (d) A partnership shall indemnify a dissociated partner whose interest is being purchased against all partnership liabilities, whether incurred before or after the dissociation, except liabilities incurred by an act of the dissociated partner under Section 16702. (e) If no agreement for the purchase of a dissociated partner's interest is reached within 120 days after a written demand for payment, the partnership shall pay, or cause to be paid, in cash to the dissociated partner the amount the partnership estimates to be the buyout price and accrued interest, reduced by any offsets and accrued interest under subdivision (c). (f) If a deferred payment is authorized under subdivision (h), the partnership may tender a written offer to pay the amount it estimates to be the buyout price and accrued interest, reduced by any offsets under subdivision (c), stating the time of payment, the amount and type of security for payment, and the other terms and conditions of the obligation. (g) The payment or tender required by subdivision (e) or (f) shall be accompanied by all of the following: (1) A statement of partnership assets and liabilities as of the date of dissociation. (2) The latest available partnership balance sheet and income statement, if any. (3) An explanation of how the estimated amount of the payment was calculated. (4) Written notice that the payment is in full satisfaction of the obligation to purchase unless, within 120 days after the written notice, the dissociated partner commences an action to determine the buyout price, any offsets under subdivision (c), or other terms of the obligation to purchase. (h) A partner who wrongfully dissociates before the expiration of a definite term or the completion of a particular undertaking is not entitled to payment of any portion of the buyout price until the expiration of the term or completion of the undertaking, unless the partner establishes to the satisfaction of the court that earlier payment will not cause undue hardship to the business of the partnership. A deferred payment shall be adequately secured and bear interest. (i) A dissociated partner may maintain an action against the partnership, pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 16405, to determine the buyout price of that partner's interest, any offsets under subdivision (c), or other terms of the obligation to purchase. The action shall be commenced within 120 days after the partnership has tendered payment or an offer to pay or within one year after written demand for payment if no payment or offer to pay is tendered. The court shall determine the buyout price of the dissociated partner's interest, any offset due under subdivision (c), and accrued interest, and enter judgment for any additional payment or refund. If deferred payment is authorized under subdivision (h), the court shall also determine the security for payment and other terms of the obligation to purchase. The court may assess reasonable attorney's fees and the fees and expenses of appraisers or other experts for a party to the action, in amounts the court finds equitable, against a party that the court finds acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith. The finding may be based on the partnership's failure to tender payment or an offer to pay or to comply with subdivision (g). 16701.5. (a) Section 16701 shall not apply to any dissociation that occurs within 90 days prior to a dissolution under Section 16801. (b) For dissociations occurring within 90 days prior to the dissolution, both of the following shall apply: (1) All partners who dissociated within 90 days prior to the dissolution shall be treated as partners under Section 16807. (2) Any damages for wrongful dissociation under Section 16602 and all other amounts owed by the dissociated partner to the partnership, whether or not presently due, shall be taken into account in determining the amount distributable to the dissociated partner under Section 16807. 16702. (a) For two years after a partner dissociates, the partnership, including a surviving partnership under Article 9 (commencing with Section 16901), is bound by an act of the dissociated partner that would have bound the partnership under Section 16301 before dissociation only if at the time of entering into the transaction all of the following apply to the other party: (1) The other party reasonably believed that the dissociated partner was then a partner. (2) The other party did not have notice of the partner's dissociation. (3) The other party is not deemed to have had knowledge under subdivision (e) of Section 16303 or notice under subdivision (c) of Section 16704. (b) A dissociated partner is liable to the partnership for any damage caused to the partnership arising from an obligation incurred by the dissociated partner after dissociation for which the partnership is liable under subdivision (a). 16703. (a) A partner's dissociation does not of itself discharge the partner's liability for a partnership obligation incurred before dissociation. A dissociated partner is not liable for a partnership obligation incurred after dissociation, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b). (b) Except for registered limited liability partnerships and foreign limited liability partnerships, a partner who dissociates is liable as a partner to the other party in a transaction entered into by the partnership, or a surviving partnership under Article 9 (commencing with Section 16901), within two years after the partner's dissociation, only if at the time of entering into the transaction all of the following apply to the other party: (1) The other party reasonably believed that the dissociated partner was then a partner. (2) The other party did not have notice of the partner's dissociation. (3) The other party is not deemed to have had knowledge under subdivision (e) of Section 16303 or notice under subdivision (c) of Section 16704. (c) By agreement with the partnership creditor and the partners continuing the business, a dissociated partner may be released from liability for a partnership obligation. (d) A dissociated partner is released from liability for a partnership obligation if a partnership creditor, with notice of the partner's dissociation but without the partner's consent, agrees to a material alteration in the nature or time of payment of a partnership obligation. 16704. (a) A dissociated partner or the partnership may file a statement of dissociation stating the name of the partnership as filed with the Secretary of State, any identification number issued by the Secretary of State, and that the partner is dissociated from the partnership. (b) A statement of dissociation is a limitation on the authority of a dissociated partner for the purposes of subdivisions (d) and (e) of Section 16303. (c) For the purposes of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 16702 and paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 16703, a person not a partner is deemed to have notice of the dissociation 90 days after the statement of dissociation is filed. 16705. Continued use of a partnership name, or a dissociated partner's name as part thereof, by partners continuing the business does not of itself make the dissociated partner liable for an obligation of the partners or the partnership continuing the business.