Forming a corporation and maintaining its books and records may seem like simple tasks at first. However, seemingly straightforward formation and drafting decisions can have far-reaching consequences. For example, the organizational documents of a corporation can have a significant effect on directors' exposure to liability and on the relationship between shareholders.

When forming a California corporation, incorporators must consider, among other things:

Maintaining corporate status after formation calls for careful attention to reporting and filing requirements in California, as well as certain actions required by California law, including annual meetings and proper record keeping.

This Toolkit provides certain key resources to help manage the formation, maintenance, and dissolution of a California corporation.

Consider the applicability of reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) in connection with corporate formation, governance, and dissolution. For more information on the CTA, see Practice Note, Corporate Transparency Act Beneficial Ownership Reporting, Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) Rules and Publications Tracker, and the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) Toolkit.