Paralegal Power | Registered Agent
At Your Service In ALL States
All businesses have what is called a “registered agent.” As a young paralegal, the first time I ever heard of the term was when I got to help sue a creditor. We had to find out who the registered agent was for the company to serve the court pleadings on. Basically, all a registered agent is responsible for doing is being the business’ point of contact for receiving official documents.
Registered Agent – It’s Kind Of A Big Deal
That is not to say this duty should be taken lightly. I once helped win a judgment against a creditor for thousands of dollars because their registered agent ignored the pleadings we served upon him on behalf of the business.
What was worse, is the business was mortified to find out about the judgment when they couldn’t sell their property until it was cleared up. They didn’t even know they were sued until months later. Needless to say, they switched Registered Agents after that. But my client hit a jackpot.
Likely a company will want their in-house counsel to be their registered agent. However, most small businesses and many large businesses do not have their own attorneys.
Our Shameless Plug for Our Business Formation Services
Paralegal Power provides Registered Agent services to big and small business in ALL 50 states with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. – Yes, ALL states, YES 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
Our Registered Agent services are included for FREE for your first FULL YEAR in any of our business formation packages. We also offer Registered Agent services for $155 a year for businesses who only need a Registered Agent.
This ALWAYS includes Annual Report Reminders and 24/7 Online Document Access.
Who Can Be Your Registered Agent?
If you do have your own attorney or a good relationship with an attorney – check with them first. Our registered agent is an attorney that works very closely with our firm. We are very lucky to have her as our agent. However, we are always here for those of you who do not have attorneys willing to perform this service for less than $155, or if their service does not include:
- Annual Report Reminders
- 24/7Online Document Access
Anyone with a physical address within the state of the business you are attempting to conduct business who is available to receive service of process on behalf of your company during business hours can act as your registered agent.
Some things to remember –
Typically You Cannot Act As Your Own Registered Agent
Not only do most states permit this from happening, but it is also not a good idea. I am working on a case as we speak for an individual who formed a business in the ‘80s and acted as the business’ Registered Agent.
The client fell unexpectedly ill and was immediately hospitalized in a long term care facility whose collection practices quickly escalated to a lawsuit against my client because they couldn’t make contact with an actual registered agent to simply arrange for payment. In that person’s situation, it would have alerted a third person, which would have saved my client money and put my client in the hands of a helpful guardian or conservator more quickly. As well as avoid a myriad of other legal problems.
Registered Agents are Public Record
As I said earlier, anyone with a physical address within the state of the business who is available to receive service of process on behalf of your company during business hours can act as your registered agent.
So while you can use your mother or grandmother who lives in the state and is always home, if you feel comfortable trusting they will take the job seriously, you may not feel comfortable with your mother or grandmother’s name being public record. Not that images matter, at least I am not judging, buuuut, it does really add a level of professionalism and legitimacy to have a legit, professional Registered Agent.
P.O. Boxes Are Not Allowed
Your company’s Registered Agent must have a physical address in the state for which you are organizing the business.
You Can Change Your Registered Agent
You can easily change your registered agent. Our business formation packages include the first full year of Registered Agent services. Some other business formation companies give you three months free. We feel great when we know we got our clients through their first year of business. Then they have plenty of time to make an informed decision regarding their future registered agent needs.
Free Registered Agent Service for 1 Full Year Included in ALL Paralegal Power Business Formation Packages
What Do You Need
If you have already made arrangements with a Registered Agent, you will need to provide the following information in order to incorporate and designate that person as your Registered Agent is their:
- Name
- Address
- Email Address
Again, if you are considering working with Paralegal Power regarding your business formation needs, consider the fact that your first year of Registered Agent Services is included in all of our business formation packages.
This post was proofread by Grammarly.
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About the Author
Valentina Zapata
Mother | Advocate | Blogger
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