Why Should I Use A Professional Registered Agent?

You will have the confidence that a professional registered agent is looking out for the interest of your company for a nominal annual fee. Penalties for not maintaining a registered agent generally will cause a jurisdiction to revoke a business's corporate or LLC legal status as well as in some cases, assess additional penalty fees on the entity.
If a Registered Agent fails to perform their function, it can have dire consequences for the business entity. For example, if a customer fell inside a store and sued the store, and the store's registered agent failed to notify the business entity of a summons to appear in court to respond to the lawsuit, then when the case went to trial, nobody would appear to defend the store and the customer would win by a default judgment. Additionally, the store would likely not be able to get the judgment overturned on appeal because they had been properly served. This is one of the most common reasons that business trust and utilize a professional as their Registered Agent.
1. You want one less thing to worry about.
2. Your state will not allow a PO Box.
3. Your company does business in multiple states.
4. You're starting your company in a state where you don't have a physical location.
5. Your address often changes.
6. You don't keep normal business hours.
7. You do not have a permanent place you work from.
8. You maintain an office in your home.
9. You don't want to be served a lawsuit in front of employees at work.

Who Can Perform the Service of A Registered Agent?

Different states have different requirements for registered agents. Typically, the agent must be a legal resident of the state in question or, in states that allow business to serve a registered agents, an entity authorized to do business in the state. All states allow a corporate officer of the corporation to serve, and all allow the corporation's lawyer to serve. Most allow business entities to serve as registered agents for other entities. In some states a business entity is legally allowed to act as its own registered agent, but other jurisdictions may require that a business entity designate a third party as its registered agent. Because most states permit one business entity to serve as a registered agent for others, some businesses exist to serve that exact function, charging a fee to act as the registered agent for hundreds or thousands of businesses in a given state.

Who Can Perform the Service of A Registered Agent?

Different states have different requirements for registered agents. Typically, the agent must be a legal resident of the state in question or, in states that allow business to serve a registered agents, an entity authorized to do business in the state. All states allow a corporate officer of the corporation to serve, and all allow the corporation's lawyer to serve. Most allow business entities to serve as registered agents for other entities. In some states a business entity is legally allowed to act as its own registered agent, but other jurisdictions may require that a business entity designate a third party as its registered agent. Because most states permit one business entity to serve as a registered agent for others, some businesses exist to serve that exact function, charging a fee to act as the registered agent for hundreds or thousands of businesses in a given state.

If A Company Does Not Maintain A Registered Agent It Will Be in Good Standing?

The fallout of this will include forfeiture of its license to do business in the state. There are substantial penalties and fees involved in reinstating the company back into "Good Standing". Failing to maintain a registered agent may also block access to legally enter into contracts and gain access to the state courts.

Is There Confidentiality Between My Registered Agent and My Company?

All information between the Registered Agent and client should be and remain confidential. It is important to know that a subpoena which has legal authority may be served upon the registered agent compelling disclosure of client information. The Registered Agent should always try to confirm that it is from a legitimate source such as a Court or law enforcement agency. Under these circumstances, the registered agent must disclose requested information under penalty of law.