There are countless reasons why having a registered agent is an essential component in forming an LLC. The first being it is legally required in most states. It doesn’t get much more necessary than that.
However, the what a registered agent does for a company is what really makes them valuable when starting your own business, and choosing an agent that is professional and experienced can mean the difference between the success and failure of your business venture.
Services offered by Registered Agents
When searching for a registered agent for your corporation or LLC, keep in mind these basic services they should offer:
- Legitimate Work Office. It’s important that your registered agent has an office that is staffed from 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. Why? Because a lawsuit can be served any time during regular business hours, and if your agent isn’t there to sign the document you may lose the case by default.
- Mail Forwarding. Make sure your registered agent includes unlimited forwarding of government and legal paperwork in their services. Most legal documents related to your business will first be sent to your registered agent, including correspondence from the federal government and IRS, so ask your agent if there are any restrictions or fees involved in having these important files sent to you.
- Information Shielding. A registered agent is also there to be a security buffer by using their address as the director’s and managing members’ address. Besides being a shield against piles of unwanted junk mail, this service offers business owners much needed privacy, especially from attorneys seeking a lawsuit who can use information like addresses and names to attach your personal assets to the case.
- Compliance Management. If you’ve ever formed an LLC, or incorporated, then you are painfully aware of the many loops you have to jump through to make sure your business is in accordance with federal and state laws. A quality registered agent will be deeply knowledgeable about the proper filing procedure in their state, and make sure that your company is in full compliance with the law.
- Document Organization. The more your business grows, the less you will want to spend your valuable time sorting through troublesome paperwork—Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Operating Agreement, company minutes, state reports, etc. A registered agent’s job is to keep secure copies of these important documents for when you need them. Some agencies even scan them into a computer, so you can access them online via a secure server in a matter of minutes.
Particular procedures for appointing a registered agent vary. In some states, you can even serve as your own registered agent. However, this is not recommended because in the event that you are served, the lawsuit can be presented directly to you at your place of business, in front customers and employees.
Also, depending on the state you are incorporating in, a registered agent may go by a different name, such as: Resident Agent, Statutory Agent, or Agent for Service of Process.
Find a professional registered agent that offers all of these benefits and more by signing up for Max Filings’ business incorporation services.