Setting up an LLC in Florida. Every formation service wants to upsell me on registered agent service for $99-199/year. Can I just be my own registered agent? I work from home.
yes you can be your own in most states. just means your home address becomes public record and you need to be available during business hours to accept service of process
I was my own agent for 2 years then switched to a service. Got served with a lawsuit at my front door in front of my kids. Wasn't even a real case, just some ambulance chaser fishing. But it was embarrassing and stressful. $100/year is worth not having that happen again imo
Main practical issue: registered agent must be available at a physical address during normal business hours. If you travel, work remotely from cafes, or just don't want to be tied down, you could miss service and end up with a default judgment against you.
If you're literally always home 9-5 M-F and don't mind your address being public, being your own agent is fine. Otherwise the $99/year is cheap peace of mind.
pro tip: some states let you change registered agent for free, others charge $25-50. so if you start as your own and decide you hate it, easy to switch later
thanks all. gonna start as my own since I'm home all day anyway, see how it goes. if i get tired of the spam mail I'll switch to a service
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