To determine the highest-quality registered agent services, we researched over 15 providers and chose the 10 best. We reviewed these services across six primary categories, with a total of 17 different metrics. The criteria were weighted to stress features that are valuable for small businesses.

Here are the metrics we applied to assess the most effective registered agent services:

Pricing

We assessed both the startup and renewal costs for registered agent services, as well as any extra or unexpected fees, including surprise add-ons. We also factored in any guarantees and additional benefits. Pricing makes up 20% of the final score.

General Features

Thirty percent of our review methodology included looking at how providers manage documents, communicate the arrival of new correspondence and whether they alert you to important registration renewal deadlines and urgent documents.

Mobile App

Modern business often extends beyond a single office location. Many entrepreneurs use mobile technology to maintain smooth operations. We assessed whether services provide a mobile app, although this feature only represents 5% of the score because it does not affect the core services provided by the agent.

Service and Support

Unlike mobile features, we found that the ability to get in touch with live help at any time is a crucial component of a superior service. We researched the customer support availability for each provider and rated them based on the different methods of contact, the availability of 24/7 support and the existence of a knowledge base for self-help. These factors make up 15% of a provider’s total score.

Ratings and Reviews

To understand user perceptions of each provider, we looked at third-party user reviews and ratings. We assessed the average rating for each provider and the count of reviews they collected. These ratings make up 10% of the total score.

Expert Score

Based on our direct experience, we considered a variety of metrics such as user-friendliness, feature quality and popularity to determine the top services. This expert review constitutes the final 20% of the total rating.

July 18, 2024

SALT LAKE CITY‒On Tuesday, Janine McCauley was sentenced to two consecutive prison terms of one to fifteen years in the Third District Court for financially exploiting 76 vulnerable individuals. McCauley was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $566,699.02 and taken into custody at the conclusion of the hearing to begin her sentence at the Utah State Prison.

“Protecting our state’s most vulnerable is one of our office’s greatest priorities,” said Attorney General Sean D. Reyes. “The Medicaid Fraud and Patient Abuse Division led by Director Wootton is remarkable at finding and prosecuting the bad actors who have targeted individuals due to their life circumstances. We will continue to do all we can to protect those among us who cannot defend themselves.”

“The exploitation of our most vulnerable citizens is antithetical to everything our state stands for,” said Director Kaye Lynn Wootton. “Stopping abuse like this is central to our office’s mission and we are grateful for the cooperation of our partners in law enforcement for helping bring this case to justice.”

The Medicaid Fraud and Patient Abuse Division of the Utah Attorney General’s Office filed charges against McCauley in February 2023. McCauley pleaded guilty to five counts of Unlawful Dealing of Property by a Fiduciary, in violation of Utah Code §76-6-513(2), and one count of Pattern of Unlawful Activity, in violation of Utah Code §76-10-1602(4)(hh). All counts were second-degree felonies.

McCauley, owner and operator of Simplified Business Solutions, was entrusted to serve as a fiduciary for all 76 vulnerable victims. As such, she was responsible for managing money, serving as Representative Payee for those receiving Social Security income, and utilizing the funds to pay rent, utilities, bills, and personal necessities for the vulnerable individuals. Instead, McCauley comingled assets and used the funds for her own benefit and for the benefit of people other than the vulnerable individuals. Additionally, McCauley received Utah Medicaid funding for Personal Budget Assistance, a program that compensates fiduciaries for managing the personal finances of individuals in need, but then failed to comply with these responsibilities, leaving the vulnerable individuals in debt and unable to meet their own financial needs.

The Medicaid Fraud and Patient Abuse Division of the Attorney General’s Office is steadfastly committed to protecting the state’s most vulnerable individuals from abuse, neglect, and exploitation and to holding perpetrators accountable. Support from State and Federal partners made this conviction possible.

The Medicaid Fraud and Patient Abuse Division of the Utah Attorney General’s Office receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $3,571,340 for federal fiscal year 2024. The State of Utah funds the remaining 25 percent.

SALT LAKE CITY—Despite Utah leading the nation in growth over the last decade or so, a new study finds fewer Utahns are buying homes.

Real estate analysts with AgentAdvice found that Utah homeownership rates dropped just over 2% from 2014 to 2023.

Utah was one of only 10 states in the nation to see a homeownership rate decrease. Only Oklahoma, Colorado, Missouri, New York and New Jersey saw bigger decreases.

Thirty-nine states saw a homeownership increase in the last decade. Oregon was the only state to break with a 0% change.

Maryland, North Dakota, Montana, Kentucky and Alabama saw the biggest increases in homeownership in the last decade.

Analysts didn’t give any written thoughts on Utah or why less people are buying homes in the Beehive State.

As for those states with the biggest jump in homeowners, analysts gave some possible reasons including things like strong economies and affordable housing.

Utah was listed as the nation’s fastest-growing state in the 2020 U.S. Census, but the state’s home prices have risen dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Another report released earlier this year, ranked Utah as one of the least affordable states to buy a home.

Utah homeowners insurance rates have skyrocketed

More single women are homeowners than single men, report shows

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