Can a corporation be held liable for the debts of its affiliate corporations?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from Vartelas v. Universal Enters. Int'l, Inc., D063246 (Cal. App. 2014):

Under the theory of "single enterprise" liability, a corporation may be held liable for the debts of its affiliate corporations under certain circumstances: "Alter ego liability is not limited to the parent-subsidiary corporate relationship; rather, 'under the single-enterprise rule, liability can [also] be imposed between sister [or affiliated] companies.' [Citation.] Factors for the trial court to consider include the commingling of funds and assets of the two entities, identical equitable ownership in the two entities, use of the same offices and employees, disregard of corporate formalities, identical directors and officers, and use of one as a mere shell or conduit for the affairs of the other." (Troyk v.

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