Rental properties in an LLC

[George Zatulovsky]

I have 4 rental properties in Missouri but live in California. Planning to form an LLC and transfer properties into LLC. I will be an only owner of LLC to avoid filing a separate Federal tax return.

Questions :

• Does it matter where do I create an LLC - Missouri or California ? Or perhaps in Delaware (would it give me any tax/business advantage) ?
• Do I really need a lawyer to form LLC or can I use the "do-it-yourself" services ?
• If I use online services which one is the easiest / most cost-effective ?