Can a sole proprietor secretly give away half of a community property business?

Full question:

Can a sole proprietor where the business is community property give half away secretly and let the other people form a incorporation and change the name?

Answer:

A spouse managing a community property business can make day-to-day decisions without the other spouse's consent. However, both spouses must agree before selling the business, even if only one spouse is managing it. The managing spouse must provide written notice to the other spouse before disposing of all or substantially all of the business.

If a spouse wants to sell community property without the other’s consent, they must go to court and prove that the sale is in the best interest of both spouses, that consent was refused without good reason, or that the other spouse cannot consent due to a mental or physical impairment.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

No, there is no legal separation between the owner and the business in a sole proprietorship. The owner is personally liable for all business debts and obligations. This means that any legal actions against the business can also affect the owner's personal assets.