Legal Question in Business Law in Massachusetts

Re: Business Trusts

Your question blurs two concepts. The first is "when can notice of a stockholders meeting be given?" Under Mass. law, at least seven days before the stockholders meeting, unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or by-laws; there is no maximum, so you can give notice years in advance if you want. There is no requirement that a record date be fixed for determining who is a stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting.

However, the second is "if the directors fix a record date, what is the maximum time allowed before the meeting?" If a record date is fixed by the directors as to a particular stockholders meeting, then the record date cannot be more than 60 days in advance of the meeting, subject to a shorter time period as may be specified in the articles or by-laws.

Hoping that this helps, best wishes,

LDWG