Published: 2015-07-08
Key Benefits:
The following definitions govern the construction of this article:
(a) “Constituent entity” means an entity that is merged with one or more other entities and includes the surviving entity.
(b) “Disappearing entity” means a constituent entity that is not the surviving entity.
(c) “Surviving entity” means an entity into which one or more other entities are merged.
(Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 116, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2006.)
An unincorporated association may merge with a domestic or foreign corporation, domestic or foreign limited partnership, domestic or foreign general partnership, or domestic or foreign limited liability company. Notwithstanding this section, a merger may be effected only if each constituent entity is authorized to effect the merger by the laws under which it was organized.
(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 631, Sec. 51. Effective January 1, 2010.)
A merger involving an unincorporated association is subject to the following requirements:
(a) Each party to the merger shall approve an agreement of merger. The agreement shall include the following provisions:
(1) The terms of the merger.
(2) Any amendments the merger would make to the articles, bylaws, or other governing documents of the surviving entity.
(3) The name, place of organization, and type of entity of each constituent entity.
(4) The name of the constituent entity that will be the surviving entity.
(5) If the name of the surviving entity will be changed in the merger, the new name of the surviving entity.
(6) The disposition of the memberships or ownership interests of each constituent entity.
(7) Other details or provisions, if any, including any details or provisions required by the law under which a constituent entity is organized.
(b) The principal terms of the merger agreement shall be approved by the board, the members, and any person whose approval is required by the association’s governing documents. Unless otherwise provided in the governing documents, the members shall approve the agreement in the manner provided for amendment of the association’s governing documents. The members may approve the agreement before or after the board approves the agreement.
(c) A merger agreement that would cause the members of an unincorporated association to become individually liable for an obligation of a constituent or surviving entity shall be approved by all of the members of the unincorporated association. Approval by all members is not required under this subdivision if the agreement of merger provides for purchase by the surviving entity of the membership interest of a member who votes against approval of the merger agreement.
(d) A merger agreement may be amended by the board, unless the amendment would change a principal term of the agreement, in which case it shall be approved as provided in subdivision (b).
(e) Subject to the contractual rights of third parties, the board may abandon a merger without the approval of the members.
(Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 116, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2006.)
(a) A merger pursuant to this article has the following effect:
(1) The separate existence of the disappearing entity ceases.
(2) The surviving entity succeeds, without other transfer, to the rights and property of the disappearing entity.
(3) The surviving entity is subject to all the debts and liabilities of the disappearing entity. A trust or other obligation governing property of the disappearing entity applies as if it were incurred by the surviving entity.
(b) All rights of creditors and all liens on or arising from the property of each of the constituent entities are preserved unimpaired, provided that a lien on property of a disappearing entity is limited to the property subject to the lien immediately before the merger is effective.
(c) An action or proceeding pending by or against a disappearing entity or other party to the merger may be prosecuted to judgment, which shall bind the surviving entity, or the surviving entity may be proceeded against or substituted in its place.
(d) A merger does not affect an existing liability of a member, director, officer, or agent of a constituent unincorporated association for an obligation of the unincorporated association.
(Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 116, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2006.)
If, as a consequence of merger, a surviving entity succeeds to ownership of real property located in this state, the surviving entity’s record ownership of that property may be evidenced by recording in the county in which the property is located a copy of the agreement of merger that is signed by the president and secretary or other comparable officers of the constituent entities and is verified and acknowledged as provided in Sections 149 and 193.
(Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 116, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2006.)
A bequest, devise, gift, grant, or promise contained in a will or other instrument of donation, subscription, or conveyance that is made to a disappearing entity and that takes effect or remains payable after the merger inures to the benefit of the surviving entity. A trust obligation that would govern property if transferred to the disappearing entity applies to property that is instead transferred to the surviving entity under this section.
(Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 116, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2006.)
