Is your corporation still alive? It's time to talk to a lawyer.

July 7, 2013

You should discuss your church bylaws with a lawyer because:

Your corporation is dead.

Not so long ago, corporations typically had a fixed lifespan, like 50 or 75 years. Even today, many corporations have to file annual reports. In my practice, I've seen several churches that allowed their corporation to expire. When a corporation dissolves, it raises questions about actions taken after the 'death'. Does the church still own its property? Does it have authority to enter contracts? Are members personally liable for contracts or torts?

If you don't know the lifespan of your church corporation, it is time to talk with a lawyer.