Title: Understanding the North Dakota Amendment to Articles of Incorporation for Paying Distributions Out of Legally Available Funds Introduction: The North Dakota Amendment to Articles of Incorporation regarding paying distributions out of funds legally available therefor plays a crucial role in outlining the procedures and requirements for distributing profits to shareholders. This article provides a detailed description of this amendment, highlighting its significance and different variations, if applicable. 1. Overview of the North Dakota Amendment to Articles of Incorporation: The North Dakota Amendment to Articles of Incorporation is a legal provision that empowers corporations to distribute funds to shareholders. Specifically, it outlines the requirements and conditions under which distributions can be made legally. 2. Purpose and Importance: This amendment ensures clarity and transparency when it comes to distributing profits to shareholders. By adhering to the amendment, corporations maintain legal compliance while providing shareholders with a clear understanding of their rights and entitlements to potential distributions. 3. Standard North Dakota Amendment to Articles of Incorporation for Paying Distributions: The standard amendment typically includes the following key provisions: a. Definition of Legally Available Funds: The amendment clarifies what constitutes legally available funds for distribution. This may include profits, retained earnings, or other designated surplus funds that meet legal requirements. b. Board of Directors' Discretion: The amendment often grants the board of directors the discretion to decide if and when distributions will be made based on the availability of funds, financial performance, and other relevant factors. c. Restrictions and Limitations: It may restrict the timing, frequency, or amount of distributions to protect the financial stability of the corporation and shareholder interests. 4. Specialized Amendments (if applicable): In some cases, corporations may adopt tailored amendments based on specific circumstances or shareholder preferences. While variations may exist depending on the corporation's needs, here are a few possible specialized amendments: a. Preferred Shareholder Distributions: This type of amendment may provide priority distribution rights to preferred shareholders to common shareholders, ensuring their entitlement to distributions before any funds are allocated to other classes of shares. b. Dividend Schedules: Certain corporations may adopt amendments that establish predetermined dividend schedules, dictating when and how many shareholders will receive in regular distributions. c. Extraordinary Distributions: In cases where corporations foresee significant one-time profit events (e.g., asset sales or windfalls), they might create an amendment allowing for extraordinary distributions to distribute excess funds to shareholders. Conclusion: The North Dakota Amendment to Articles of Incorporation regarding paying distributions out of legally available funds provides a vital framework for corporations to effectively manage distributions while upholding legal compliance. By carefully crafting and adhering to these amendments, corporations can maintain transparency, protect shareholder interests, and ensure equitable distribution practices.