What typically happens during the dissolution of a business?

During the dissolution of a business, the primary focus is on winding up operations and distributing assets. This process involves several key steps to ensure that all financial obligations are settled, including paying off debts, liquidating any remaining assets, and distributing whatever is left to the owners or shareholders according to the ownership structure.

Winding up is essential for concluding the business's legal existence and protecting the interests of creditors and stakeholders. The process typically includes gathering assets, addressing liabilities, and filing any necessary legal documents with state authorities to formalize the dissolution.

The other options highlight activities that are not typically associated with the dissolution of a business. Expansion of business partnerships and increased investments in branding would generally imply a continuation or growth of the business, which contrasts with the notion of dissolution. A financial audit might occur, but it's more of a preparatory step rather than a defined action taken during the dissolution itself; the focus is primarily on settlement and distribution rather than an audit per se.