What should the corporate charter contain?

The corporate charter, also known as the articles of incorporation, is a fundamental document that lays the groundwork for the formation of a corporation. It primarily serves to provide the basic information required for a corporation to exist legally and operate according to the law. Option B is correct because it emphasizes that the charter should contain only the necessary elements required to establish the company and delineate its desired legal status. This typically includes the corporation's name, purpose, duration, the number of shares authorized, and the legal addresses of both the corporation and its registered agent.

Including only essential information helps streamline the incorporation process and ensures that the document complies with state requirements, avoiding unnecessary complications or lengthy descriptions that aren't legally required. This makes it easier for stakeholders and regulatory authorities to understand the corporation's foundation, while detailed operational practices and historical context are not typically part of the incorporation documentation.