endobj Hiring a lawyer is an important process that should not be based solely on any advertisement. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] << /Parent 10 0 R Do you agree with Monarchlegalgroup's TrustScore? >> The City of Chicago filed a lawsuit against Strategic Financial Solutions, Burnette Legal Group, Timothy Burnette, and Monarch Legal Group on July 26, 2022. On information and belief, Strategic tells representatives to say they are calling from Monarch, not Strategic, so consumers do not realize that they arent speaking to someone at Monarch. /Rotate 0 << /Rotate 0 Reviews from current and former Strategic employees on the career website Glassdoor express similar concerns about the companys business model: Even when Defendants do engage with creditors, non-attorney employees perform the negotiations. /Filter /FlateDecode /Annots [] Anyone Know for Sure About World Law and Global Client Solutions? /Annots [] /Rotate 0 /Parent 12 0 R Note we do not assume your debts, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Im really happy with the service so far, I have just started this program, and to date I have found it to be extremely worthwhile, the pressure that this program has taken off me has been tenfold and I feel that I am finally headed in the right direction, I know the road ahead will be tough but well worth the effort, having a reliable team behind me makes all the difference. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Consumer complaints on the Better Business Bureaus website recount similar experiences: Consumers may be unable to access the typical methods for reporting attorney misconduct. endobj In one case, Defendants settled a debt worth $3,943, agreeing to pay between 40-60% of the debt. In response to the Citys subpoena, Monarch provided information from a limited number of consumer files. According to the script that outside paralegals or notaries read at these short meetings, a Monarch attorney reviews the consumers file after the meeting and calls the consumer within a few days of the meeting. Monarchs website says that the company can assist people in debt by helping them file for bankruptcy or through its debt resolution program. /Contents [110 0 R 111 0 R 112 0 R] I was very nervous about making this move but I was reassured and put at ease with the way I was treated. If a Strategic employee communicates with the consumer at all before a hearing date, the employee will instruct him or her to go to court alone. How many stars would you give Monarchlegalgroup? Don't have an account? /Contents [126 0 R 127 0 R 128 0 R] /Parent 11 0 R /Annots [] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Rotate 0 /Annots [] For example, Defendants recorded and estimated a budget based on the fact that one Chicago consumer had only housing, food, and auto expenses. /Rotate 0 These requirements include, for example: a. /Kids [8 0 R 9 0 R 10 0 R 11 0 R 12 0 R 13 0 R 14 0 R] business practices. endobj I was told that I would only receive $200 left in my savings after they had withdrawn over $3500 in fees from my account. In fact, Monarch will only refund fees if Monarch is unable to settle a debt for less than 35% of the amount owed. Second, the policy relieves Defendants from refund obligations for any debts that become[] subject to a lawsuit during representation. Many creditors sue Monarch consumers to recover money owed. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] This assumption is unrealistic. /Parent 11 0 R In examples the City has seen, Defendants collected the entire Service Cost less than halfway into consumers payment schedules. 527 AND 342 NOTICE #1: Notice Mandated by 11 U.S.C. /Resources 93 0 R /Annots [69 0 R 70 0 R] Consumers who are struggling with debt care very much about how much money they will be able to save, and Defendants knowingly overestimate those amounts. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] The same can happen to you! 6 0 obj RESPONSE: Complaint was not answered /Type /Page endobj /Parent 10 0 R /Resources 193 0 R One consumer told the City that after making regular payments, he received a summons from a creditor and promptly contacted Monarch. Current and former Strategic employees have noted that Monarchs and Strategics practices confuse consumers. BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. c. Another consumer wrote: I called and then they told me after I had paid them a little over $300 a month for 7-9 month period that there was nothing in my account just $100 and that the rest went to their fees, fees for providing no service. Hi Steve My partner and I have just been canceled from monarch for unclear and deceptive reasons. Not all clients are able to complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Monarch Legal Group is a law firm. Debt Settlement Industry - Sued in RICO Complaint, Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Defendants Debt Resolution Program and Oppressive Fee Structure, Defendants Debt Resolution Program is Designed to Mislead and Exploit Consumers, Defendants Create Payment Plans without Regard for Consumers Financial Status, Leading Consumers to Fail in Defendants Program, Monarch Lures Consumers into Defendants Debt Resolution Program with a Deceptive Refund Policy. ] In reality, the Citys investigation indicates that Monarch attorneys are only superficially involved to trick consumers into thinking that lawyers are performing debt resolution services when the work is actually performed by non-lawyers at Strategic (if the work is performed at all). /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Rotate 0 /Parent 8 0 R Outrage by companies that remain silent does not equal action to protect good companies or debt relief help for consumers that need reputable help. endobj /Parent 12 0 R WebMonarch Legal Group is a private law firm and is not affiliated with any governmental agency, quasi-governmental agency, or charitable organization. /Contents [166 0 R 167 0 R 168 0 R] /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Nums [0 7 0 R] >> Amount in Dispute: $8,600.00 57 0 obj /Rotate 0 The DSCPA excludes from regulation the services of an attorney engaged in the practice of law. 225 ILCS 429/10. Given those significant fees, the consumers potential savings on the amount owed was far less than Monarch advertised and explained. /Resources 245 0 R Sign up for free now, Sign up for free to participate on the website. Each of the lawyers on this site are either Managers, Members, Partners, Limited Partners or staff attorneys. The >> RAM charges a monthly fee of $10.75 to administer each account. Timberline entered into a consent agreement and order with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for violating Pennsylvanias Debt Settlement Services Act. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Resources 173 0 R Specifically, Defendants ignore consumers financial situations and seemingly do not care whether consumers can realistically finish their payment program. Second, Monarch attorneys apparently do not provide legal services or representation in bankruptcy cases. They answer my questions promptly and accurately. /Rotate 0 /Parent 12 0 R << /Annots [] >> endobj Second, Monarch`s lawyers do not appear to offer legal advice or representation in bankruptcy matters. /Type /Page /Resources 89 0 R One Google reviewer wrote that all the good reviews [about Strategic] reviewer are FAKE. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile. Defendants do not hold consumer funds in a client trust account. /Annots [] /Type /Page /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] >> endobj endobj << /Rotate 0 It also requires debt relief companies to make several disclosures about their services, including how long it will take to get results, how much it will cost, and the negative consequences that could result. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints. /Contents [230 0 R 231 0 R 232 0 R] /CropBox [0 0 612 792] WebMonarch Legal Group Profile and History . /Annots [] 5 0 obj >> /Contents [154 0 R 155 0 R 156 0 R] Employee and customer online reviews suggest that Strategic works with as many as ten law firms:. 26 0 obj The Citys investigation indicates that Defendants do not act in consumers best interest when creating a customized payment program. << /CropBox [0 0 612 792] - 1:22-cv-03705 Can I Send a Cease and Desist Letter to a Debt Collector? Defendants documents reveal that attorneys approve settlements that non- attorney Strategic employees have negotiated without significant review. /Rotate 0 /Annots [] /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Resources 165 0 R This business is in an industry that may require professional licensing, bonding or registration. >> /Type /Page In presentations with potential clients, Monarch representatives who in fact do not work for Monarch have explained that Monarch attorneys will provide representation and negotiate with the creditors lawyers. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. WebComplaints for Monarch Legal Group. The information on this website is not legal advice, and does not take the place of consulting with a lawyer. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Copyright 2022 Monarch Legal Group Reviews. Follow my guide here https://getoutofdebt.org/20126/how-to-try-to-get-a-refund-from-a-debt-relief-company. The Law Offices of Robert G. Androsiglio, P.C. >> >> Monarch tells consumers to call a customer service line or email a customer service address, both of which are operated by Strategic Financial Solutions and its related entities in New York. 225 ILCS 429/125(c). That law requires debt settlement companies to register with the state and restricts practices likely to harm consumers. For example, Burnette has responded, albeit vaguely, to customer complaints on the BBB website: The Citys investigation indicates that Defendants attract additional customers by posting fake positive reviews in an attempt to obscure the honest negative reviews that the companies receive regularly. endobj /Parent 12 0 R 11 0 obj << Defendants contracted with a local attorney, not employed by Monarch, to represent the consumer in a lawsuit by a creditor. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] I didn't know how it works, so I was explained the details and the procedures of it. On information and belief, Defendants estimates for other Chicago consumers contained similar inaccuracies. /Parent 12 0 R BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. >> /Metadata 2 0 R Although one section of Monarchs nearly 40-page agreement states that third parties may perform some work related to the program, it later explains that Monarch has a non-exclusive reciprocal referral agreement with independent contractors to provide what it calls non-legal services related to the implementation, management, and maintenance of Clients debt negotiation plan. Monarchs agreement and other promotional materials misrepresent the truth: non-lawyers at Strategic do not merely provide some administrative services, they carry out Monarchs debt resolution service. /Parent 4 0 R endobj ] As described in Section VI below, Monarch repeatedly fails to provide those services. /Annots [] Answer your financial questions. Monarchs website states that Timothy Burnette is the attorney responsible for the content of this Site.. Customer names may also have been shortened or masked to protect privacy. Monarch Legal and Strategic Financial Solutions jointly run a fraudulent debt resolution program that preys on Chicagoans struggling with debt. /Resources 129 0 R /Contents [134 0 R 135 0 R 136 0 R] endobj Strategic drives these unfair and deceptive programs but uses its supposed law firm partners as a front to avoid regulation. endobj /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Parent 4 0 R /Rotate 0 endobj /Annots [] /Contents [278 0 R 279 0 R 280 0 R] The Citys investigation indicates that even when Defendants agents negotiate settlements with creditors on consumers behalf, they do not act in consumers best interest. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Defendants charge a percentage of the consumers total debt as a Service Cost to the non-legal servicesrelated [to the] debt resolution plan. In examples the City has seen, that cost has been as high as 19%. << /Type /Page << We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code. /Type /Page 54 0 obj /Type /Page Monarch also requires that the clients account payments be current. The City of Chicago brings this action to stop Defendants unlawful conduct and to make them accountable for the harms they have brought upon City residents. /Resources 177 0 R In November 2020, BBB investigated Monarch Legal Groups | Read 21-40 Reviews out of 44 /Contents [226 0 R 227 0 R 228 0 R] But when a consumer stops making payments to creditors, he or she is likely to face adverse effects, including (1) a sharp decrease in their credit score; (2) calls from collections agencies; (3) a rise in debt due to late fees and additional interest; and (4) lawsuits by creditors, who often seek to garnish wages and enforce judgments by other means. /Contents [194 0 R 195 0 R 196 0 R] /Parent 4 0 R The text of the call script for Option 1 Legal and for Monarch are the same, except for the law firm name. >> How to Get Your Money Back From a Debt Relief Company if You Feel Like Youve Been Scammed, What Repaying Your Debt Will Cost You in Retirement Calculator, The Truth About The Success Rates, Failure Rates, and Completion Rates of Credit Counseling, Debt Settlement, Bankruptcy, and Debt Consolidation Loans. Monarch markets the debt resolution program it operates with Strategic as having a generous refund policy. No statements on this website are intended to suggest or convey any guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of any legal matter. Company resolves 0% of complaints brought to its attention from Business Consumer Alliance. I have been pleased by the results Monarch has gotten for me so far. In exchange for the advertised services, Defendants charge significant up-front costs and monthly fees. 58 0 obj WebNew Reviews Monarch Legal Group Reviews New Reviews 0.0 0 0 out of 5 stars (based on 0 reviews) Excellent 0% Very good 0% Average 0% Poor 0% Terrible 0% Latest Reviews: There are no reviews yet. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] >> A reasonable consumer would conclude that Defendants higher fee structure is warranted because the company offers legal expertise. By clicking the I AGREE button below, you authorize Monarch Legal Group, LLC to contact you (including using autodialers, automated text and pre-recorded messages) via your telephone, cellphone, mobile device (including SMS and MMS) and email, even if your telephone number is currently listed on any state, federal or company's Do Not Call list. /Rotate 0 If we can verify it in our system, an email will be sent to you with your password. /Count 1 1-877-450-8853, Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value. Consumers have no recourse if the program is taking more time than promised or, after relying on Defendants misleading estimates, consumers find themselves unable to make their payments. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /CropBox [0 0 612 792] 41 0 obj >> GCS also charges a $10.75 monthly fee for payment processing., Though they immediately begin collecting fees, Defendants inform prospective consumers that it typically takes Monarch 7 to 9 months to reach the first settlement.. /Annots [] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Write reviews, ask and respond to questions, /Parent 4 0 R Defendants to change their business practices and would likely result in diminished profit. endobj Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating, Need to file a complaint? 47 0 obj /Resources 113 0 R /Type /Page Defendants Do Not Provide Contracted-For Litigation Defense Services, Leaving Chicago Consumers to Defend Themselves in Court, Timothy Burnette Controlled and Directed Monarchs Conduct, Defendants Deceive Potential Customers by Posting Fake Reviews, Strategic Engages in Unfair and Deceptive Practices in its Debt Resolution Business Across the Country, https://brokercheck.finra.org/individual/summary/4890437, https://www.finra.org/rules- guidance/oversight-enforcement/finra-disciplinary-actions?search=2013035572001, Former Credit Counseling Executive and Serial Dirtbag, Andris Pukke Arrested, Litigation Practice Group Lawsuit by Business Partner All Service Financial We Want Our Money, Refunds Sent to Students Deceived by Student Advocates Debt Relief Scam, Clay Advisors Same Debt Consolidation Loan Mailer, Different Name, https://getoutofdebt.org//20126/how-to-try-to-get-refund-from-debt-relief-company, https://getoutofdebt.org/20126/how-to-try-to-get-a-refund-from-a-debt-relief-company, How to Get Out of Debt Without Getting Scammed and What to Do if You Have Been, The Beach Misses You: A Financial Fable For Happiness And Internal Peace, Get Out of Debt Guy Podcast - Reader Questions - AMEX Arrrgh, Getting Out of Debt and Making Lots of Extra Money is Easy When You Do This One FREE Thing, Is Your Debt Relief Company a Scam and How to Make an Extra $800 a Month to Make Ends Meet. << The testimonials selected may include testimonials made by individual customers on the third-party sites. Phone (877) 450-8853. WebMonarch Legal has completely shut me down. If they are considering doing business with the company, consumers can use this indicator to forecast the likelihood of having their issues addressed if a problem arises. >> The Office of State Inspector General is located at 602 North Fifth Street, Sixth Floor, Baton /Type /Page << PAID ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT: Monarch Legal Group is a law firm. /PageLabels 3 0 R Nothing in this website is to be construed as an offer for legal services. /Type /Page /Resources 265 0 R endobj /Annots [] /Contents [174 0 R 175 0 R 176 0 R] The State of Illinois sued Legal Helpers and its principals for similar consumer-protection violations in 2012. >> /Type /Page /Parent 9 0 R << 51 0 obj << /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Do you agree with Monarchlegalgroup's TrustScore? /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Pretty much every Debt Settlement regulatory attorney has warned against doing business this way but they never listen. Second, Defendants predict that they will negotiate settlement agreements at around 40% of the debt consumers owe when they enter the payment plan. 3 0 obj I was reassured that in 24 moths I would be able to get out of debt and conserve if not improve my credit score. Please contact a tax professional to discuss potential tax consequences of less than full balance debt resolution. /Resources 217 0 R I had been paying all of my credit cards both person and business. Timothy Burnette is, on information and belief, the sole member and manager of Burnette Legal Group, LLC d/b/a Monarch Legal Group. Complaint Resolution Index (CRI) Explained. In the first 12 months, Defendants collect their service costs and retainer fees. In some instances, the testimonials may be shortened and/or include correction to grammatical or typographical errors. /Parent 9 0 R << 9 0 obj >> << /Count 10 ffxiv mastering magic iv; benefits of businesses giving back to the community; monarch legal group complaints. stream The representatives read from a script about Monarchs program and ask consumers to sign an agreement after the meeting. * ekVCwIqhpjZDhWI`kN9R=46lz+5, Briggs v. Strategic Financial Solutions, LLC et al. On information and belief, Monarch and Strategic Financial Solutions primarily or even exclusively steer clients to the debt resolution program for two reasons. >> 27 0 obj 46 0 obj Monarch refers to itself as a debt relief agency and law firm on its website, www.monarchlegalgroup.com. WebReview your credit report. WebYour experience matters. Monarch Legal Group is not responsible for the accuracy or correctness of the opinions or comments. Your consent to the above terms is not required as a condition of purchasing or receiving our services. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Parent 11 0 R >> /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Type /Page /Rotate 0 By structuring its debt relief program as an offering from a supposed law firm, however, Monarch purports to avoid the requirements and restrictions of the DSCPA and similar laws. On information and belief, Defendants deliberately obscure the fee structure in these estimates to induce consumers to contract with them. endobj /Contents [138 0 R 139 0 R 140 0 R] 65 0 obj /Parent 8 0 R Briggs v. Strategic Financial Solutions, LLC et al. /Type /Page << << /Type /Page << /Annots [] endobj Thank you for the feedback. /Type /Pages Consumers reported to the City that they were unable to receive answers from the attorney identified on Monarch paperwork and instead were forced to direct questions to non- lawyers who were not familiar with their situations.
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monarch legal group complaints