Like the other questions we discuss on this web site (with the exception
of the question of who will serve as registered agent if you qualify
to do business in another state), you have a choice when it comes to
maintenance of your corporation or LLC: you can do-it-yourself, have
it done for you by a nonlawyer service agency, or have it done for you
by a lawyer. While you do not have a choice about having a registered
agent, however, you do have the important choice about who that agent
will be. If you want to change your registered agent, the successor
registered agent will normally handle the process for you. The bottom
line is that you don't have to worry about whether of not to do it yourself
with respect to the paperwork involved with registered agents.
Periodic reports to the states, monitoring your status with the states, minutes and amendments
are easier to learn than incorporating your company or qualifying it to
do business in additional states. As to reports and monitoring, if you
are willing to invest the time to learn the ground rules, to prepare the
reports and to do the monitoring, "do it yourself" is a viable option. Amendments
to your articles of incorporation/formation and minutes are more complicated, and
you may be called upon to make some judgment calls with respect to the
content of any such documents. If you are willing to risk making mistakes
with these documents, however, the amending process and drafting of minutes are
processes you can do yourself. Should you need assistance with any of these
chores, there are sources who can help you at a cost which may not exceed
the value of the time you spend negotiating the learning curve and taking care
of these chores. |