/Contents [262 0 R 263 0 R 264 0 R] Furthermore, consumers do not even know that they are talking to Strategic employees. /Rotate 0 WebComplaints may also be filed by calling the Fraud and Abuse Hotline at 1-866-801-2549. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Type /Page One consumer wrote: I would like at least a refund of 995.00 since I didnt receive legal representation. Defendants refund policy provides no such right to be refunded legal fees. Indeed, Defendants might prefer for consumers to withdraw from the program after one year. I have been pleased by the results Monarch has gotten for me so far. 26 0 obj 42 0 obj /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] How Do I Get Out of Debt Quickly? /Parent 9 0 R /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Copyright 2020 Business Consumer Alliance All Rights Reserved. First, that program is most profitable for Defendants. endobj /Contents [190 0 R 191 0 R 192 0 R] The creditor filed a motion to reinstate and for default judgment for failure to pay the settlement payments, and the consumer was left vulnerable to wage garnishment and other negative consequences. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. endobj /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] >> /Type /Page Request a call back. Violations of the DSCPA are also violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. /Contents [130 0 R 131 0 R 132 0 R] 5 0 obj Disclosures Required Under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. << What do you think? /Annots [] /Rotate 0 City of Chicago Goes After Strategic Financial Solutions Settlement is within acceptable firm parameters. /Resources 229 0 R /Type /Page BBB is here to help. Our records indicate the company failed to respond to the one complaint brought to its attention. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Type /Page Reviews Second, Monarch attorneys apparently do not provide legal services or representation in bankruptcy cases. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /CropBox [0 0 612 792] The Bureau revoked Monarchs accreditation less than a year after publishing an alert about Monarchs business practices and its failure to respond to a request for investigation: Timothy Burnette holds himself out as the owner of Monarch Legal. 2023, International Association of Better Business Bureaus, Inc., separately incorporated Better Business Bureau organizations in the US, Canada and Mexico and BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, Inc. All rights reserved. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Monarch Legal Group Defendants begin collecting these fees immediately and on a monthly or bimonthly basis. /Rotate 0 /Rotate 0 BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. >> /Annots [] >> endobj /Parent 8 0 R /Annots [] Both these promises appear in the Payment Schedule section of Monarchs retainer agreements. Whether youre dealing with threats of foreclosure, wage garnishment, creditor harassment or excessive debt, the experienced team at Monarch Legal Group can help you get your finances back on track. /Contents [138 0 R 139 0 R 140 0 R] /Type /Page Monarch promises in the Performance Standard section of its contract to refund consumers for the share of all Monarch fees & costs for work on [the] individual debt if Monarch (through Strategic) fails to reduce that debt by more than 35% of the amount owed at the time of the agreement. Our reviews are authentic and unbiased, providing you with a complete picture of the company, its products or services, and their customer service. >> /Type /Page 7 0 obj /Annots [] The Citys investigation indicates that in reality, Monarch employs only the few attorneys needed to complete rote and scripted check-in calls with clients to suggest that an attorney is involved in the consumers program. 18 0 obj 60 0 obj At the completion of the program the consumer would have paid between $500 to $800 in fees. /Resources 93 0 R >> << Monarch Investment and Management Group Engaged Employer Overview 261 Reviews 105 Jobs 565 Salaries 39 Interviews 77 Benefits 67 Photos 93 Diversity + Atty Approved.. /Type /Page Strategic drives these unfair and deceptive programs but uses its supposed law firm partners as a front to avoid regulation. 20 0 obj WebMonarch Legal has completely shut me down. /Type /Page >> endobj << /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] << WebMonarch Recovery Management is a collection agency based in Pennsylvania. Update 2 On The Make Money With a Side Hustle Project. If consumers withdraw after one year, Defendants collect substantial sums without performing work. I asked several times to make sure I understood correctly the proposal of the program- the calls were recorded, they said yes, in 24 moths you will be out of debt and your credit score would not get affected. /Rotate 0 endobj After collecting those fees, Defendants revenue plummets. This program started in September of 2019 and has consumed a large amount of our finances. >> Nothing in this website is to be construed as an offer for legal services. /Contents [182 0 R 183 0 R 184 0 R] The Cohn Law /Count 52 << /Resources 249 0 R | Read 21-40 Reviews out of 42. /Resources 89 0 R 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. /Contents [214 0 R 215 0 R 216 0 R] /Resources 169 0 R /Count 10 Strategic has engaged in similar arrangements with sham law firms to defraud consumers across the country for years. A consumer that reviewed Monarch on the Better Business Bureaus website noted that he was unable to discuss bankruptcy with a Monarch attorney, contrary to statements in Monarchs agreement and on its website that Monarch provides bankruptcy representation. In one case, Defendants settled a debt worth $3,943, agreeing to pay between 40-60% of the debt. << /Resources 165 0 R /Type /Page Complaints for Monarch Legal Group - Better Business WebMonarch Legal Group provides a very valuable service for those needing to get out of debt and take their financial situation seriously. >> Contact Us Monarch Legal Group. Defendants Trick Consumers into Believing that Attorneys Will Negotiate their Debt Settlements, When that Work is Actually Performed by Non-Lawyer Contractors. /Annots [] /Type /Page >> /Rotate 0 /CropBox [0 0 612 792] If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile. /Parent 9 0 R We are scared and desperate at this point, See if this sounds like a reasonable and logical approach. /Type /Pages I was current with all my creditors and had a respectable credit score. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Contents [118 0 R 119 0 R 120 0 R] Timberline entered into a consent agreement and order with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for violating Pennsylvanias Debt Settlement Services Act. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Your experience matters. Please contact a tax professional to discuss potential tax consequences of less than full balance debt resolution. WebExcellent 100% Very good 0% Average 0% Poor 0% Terrible 0% Latest Reviews: Everyone has been extremely nice 5 Everyone has been extremely nice, helpful, explaining everything The endstream /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Instead, Defendants require consumers to sign an Account Servicing Agreement with Reliant Account Management, LLC (RAM). /Parent 4 0 R Reviews of Defendants on various online platforms like Glassdoor, Google, and Better Business Bureau paint starkly different pictures. Defendants do not hold consumer funds in a client trust account. << /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Type /Page Based on examples that the City has seen, the payment schedules include at least three omissions or deceptions. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] 23 0 obj Consumer complaints to the Better Business Bureau show that many consumers do not understand the very limited circumstances in which Monarch will refund fees: a. Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating, Need to file a complaint? Change Your Mindset. 15 0 obj /Nums [0 7 0 R] The City reviewed each of the three separate consumer files that Monarch provided to identify a clear pattern. /Contents [250 0 R 251 0 R 252 0 R] >> /Rotate 0 An obligation to make oral and written disclosures to prospective consumers, including a warning that debt settlement services may not be suitable for all consumers and that consumers should inquire about other means of dealing with debt, including, but not limited to, nonprofit credit counseling and bankruptcy. 225 ILCS 429/115(a). /Rotate 0 /Type /Page >> >> WebEmail this Business (212) 742-0001 File a Complaint Overview Monarch Law Group offers personal injury, commercial litigation, corporate law, matrimonial/family law and real 21 0 obj endobj /Resources 153 0 R How BBB Processes Complaints and Reviews. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Monarch Legal and Strategic Financial Solutions jointly run a fraudulent debt resolution program that preys on Chicagoans struggling with debt. /Type /Page %PDF-1.5 WebReview your credit report. /Type /Page Date of experience: September 04, 2020 In its client retainer agreement, Monarch explains that bankruptcy is another option but discourages that option by stating that it will be reflected as a permanent record on a Clients credit report for up to 10 years.. 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. 25 0 obj My wife and I enrolled in a program to negotiate our debts with Monarch Legal Group. >> For example, Monarch reserves the right to refuse to provide legal defense services if the client does not submit all pages of the summons, complaint, exhibits, and pleadings to Monarch, and requires submission within 15 or 7 days, depending on the state. /Annots [] /Annots [] Be the first one to write one. Your experience matters. Its the exact reason Veritas stopped working with them altogether, many of our participating attorneys will not work with them either. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Because so much of each payment goes to Defendants fees (particularly at the beginning of the agreement), consumers with multiple accounts to settle continue accruing significant interest and late charges for months, if not years. I was reassured that in 24 moths I would be able to get out of debt and conserve if not improve my credit score. /Contents [258 0 R 259 0 R 260 0 R] Defendants promise that through negotiating with creditors, consumers will be able to settle their debts for less than the amount owed. endobj /Rotate 0 By an Act of Congress and the President of the United States, Monarch Legal Group, is a federally designated Debt Relief Agency. It is not a lawyer referral service or prepaid legal Those attorneys do not litigate on behalf of consumers. 51 0 obj /AA 5 0 R In a previous phone call, a representative said Monarch would resolve the lawsuit to avoid garnishment. Monarch Legal Group Reviews Regardless of how many times I have told your representatives over the phone to call Monarch Legal Group at 877-450-8853, they keep calling me and my wife. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] 225 ILCS 429/125(c). /Contents [126 0 R 127 0 R 128 0 R] /Annots [] >> << Hiring a lawyer is an important process that should not be based solely on any advertisement. For example, on the Better Business Bureau website, where Monarch has a 1.15/5-star rating, the company has 39 reviews: 1 5-star review, 1 3-star review, and 37 1-star reviews. /Contents 66 0 R << Monarch also requires that payments in the client`s account be up to date. Monarch Legal Group | Better Business Bureau Profile /Annots [] /Rotate 0 Defendants to change their business practices and would likely result in diminished profit. endobj We are seeing this action a lot more lately, Im surprised it was just the City of Chicago and not the CFPB or the FTC. WebThe Cohn Law Firm in Baton Rouge has more than 50 years of combined legal experience in bankruptcy, business law and business formation. /Parent 12 0 R /CropBox [0 0 612 792] 225 ILCS 429/125(a). BBB is here to help. Copyright 2022 Monarch Legal Group Reviews. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] The user dev_teampresumably a Strategic employeenegotiates a settlement and then creates a debt settlement plan in Defendants database. Defendants have also completely neglected to administer the settlement. << Defendants dramatically misstate the consumers estimated savings and program length. I enrolled with 9 accounts in the program. /Type /Page Defendants have a surprising range of exclusively 5-star and 1-star reviews, with no scores in the middle of the range. /Parent 11 0 R endobj Several days later, user r-fakhouri, likely Ricky Fakhouri, an outside attorney who has contracted with Monarch on a case-by-case basis, approved the plan. >> Type in the email address you registered with. Voice your opinion today and hear what 44 customers have already said. In November 2020, BBB investigated Monarch Legal Groups 47 0 obj /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] 38 0 obj After the entry of judgment, Defendants negotiated a settlement. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said that Legal Helpers lawyers were a front to collect hefty fees from struggling consumers. Legal Helpers agreed to refund $2.1 million to Illinois consumers in a settlement. /Annots [] Attorneys use scripts for these calls. 65 0 obj /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /CropBox [0 0 612 792] >> /Parent 8 0 R The agreement also provides that Monarch will advise and represent clients in their defense of litigation initiated by creditors or collectors[. This fee structure makes it difficult for consumers to save funds for potential settlements, increasing the amount of time that the consumer pays fees to Monarch and decreasing the likelihood that the consumer will be able to afford any settlements. WebThe average annual salary of Monarch Grand Vacations is estimated to be approximate $95,818 per year. /Annots [] 35 0 obj https://getoutofdebt.org//20126/how-to-try-to-get-refund-from-debt-relief-company. endobj Third, consumer debts with balances of less than $1,000 are ineligible for refunds. Over the course of 2 years, I sent Monarch almost $1200 per month and I stopped paying my cards as they instructed me to do. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Parent 9 0 R WebHow many stars would you give Monarchlegalgroup? FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS EASTERN There are no reviews yet. >> /Resources 269 0 R WebThese instructions are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice or substitute for the provisions of any statute, rule, or regulation. Defendants unrealistic expense estimates demonstrate their complete indifference to the welfare of their consumers. /Parent 10 0 R endobj /Resources 121 0 R Mr. Robert G. Androsiglio, Founding Managing Partner. Defendantsa debt settlement companyknow that debt accrues substantial interest and late fees. /Parent 4 0 R 63 0 obj << 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. /Parent 9 0 R /Resources 145 0 R /Type /Page For businesses Categories Blog. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] This business is in an industry that may require professional licensing, bonding or registration. /Type /Pages /Parent 12 0 R 27 0 obj Sign up for free now, Sign up for free to participate on the website. endobj /Type /Page The Act prohibits charging any type of fee other than set up or enrollment fee of no more than $50, and a settlement fee in certain circumstances. % The presentation for prospective consumers is also substantially the same: On information and belief, Strategic has a similar agreement with and also operates through Option 1 Legal. /Rotate 0 get quotes and more. << /CropBox [0 0 612 792] WebGoogle Business Reviews Monarch Legal Group Reviews Google Business Reviews 5.0 5 5 out of 5 stars (based on 3 reviews) Excellent 100% Very good 0% Average 0% Poor 0% Terrible 0% Latest Reviews: Professionalism 5 Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value T M Great organization that helps people 5 31 0 obj endobj >> /CropBox [0 0 612 792] I feel that I can now reach my goal and make my life better in the near future. << /Type /Page /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] >> If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile. /Type /Page Monarch Law Group | Better Business Bureau Profile Monarch Legal Group Complaints Biryani Maxx /Parent 8 0 R It sucks that you found yourself in that position. /Parent 9 0 R 17 0 obj /Resources 245 0 R /Resources 101 0 R /Resources 201 0 R stream Given those significant fees, the consumers potential savings on the amount owed was far less than Monarch advertised and explained. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Resources 81 0 R Strategic provided similar services, albeit operating under a different structure, to the now-shuttered Carolina Legal Services firm, as described in paragraph 12 above. << get quotes and more. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles. >> We each had to appear in court on our own because one of their attorneys could not be present. The City therefore alleges that at least insofar as the practices at issue here are concerned, neither Defendants nor their employees engage in the practice of law. endobj Complaints for Monarch Legal Group in Chicago , IL As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. >> /Contents [226 0 R 227 0 R 228 0 R] Login - Monarch Legal Group /Resources 109 0 R /Parent 11 0 R /CropBox [0 0 612 792] They help people file for relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Hi Miss Anne, Hopefully I have the courage to do what you did to get my refund also. The testimonials provided are selected from independent third-party sites. >> /Annots [] << Customer names may also have been shortened or masked to protect privacy. /Annots [] Be the first one to write one. /Parent 10 0 R /Rotate 0 Of course, late fees and collection /Resources 197 0 R 3 0 obj 24 0 obj This website is an advertisement. To reduce its fee and finish the last two settlements! << endobj You also consent to the recording and monitoring of all calls to and from us and you acknowledge and agree to the terms of our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. /Rotate 0 Web203 N La Salle St Ste 2100 Chicago, IL 60601-1226 Visit Website (312) 273-5020 Customer Complaints 105 complaints closed in last 3 years 40 complaints closed in last 12 months But because Defendants provide inaccurate estimates and fail to consider consumers financial situations, Defendants know that their representations are inaccurate and impossible for many consumers. /Resources 193 0 R /Font << /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Employee and customer online reviews suggest that Strategic works with as many as ten law firms:. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Parent 13 0 R Source: New Reviews 2023, International Association of Better Business Bureaus, Inc., separately incorporated Better Business Bureau organizations in the US, Canada and Mexico and BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, Inc. All rights reserved. Company resolves 0% of complaints brought to its attention from Business Consumer Alliance. /Type /Pages /Contents [71 0 R 72 0 R 73 0 R 74 0 R 75 0 R 76 0 R 77 0 R 78 0 R 79 0 R 80 0 R] enquiries@monarchsolicitors.com. WebView customer complaints of Monarch Legal Group, BBB helps resolve disputes with the services or products a business provides. Monarch Legal Group is not responsible for the accuracy or correctness of the opinions or comments. /Resources 213 0 R /Rotate 0 Based on information and belief, attorneys affiliated with Monarch rubberstamp all settlements, do not supervise the non-lawyer debt negotiators, and do not give reasoned legal advice to consumers about whether to accept a settlement. 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. Defendants knowingly mislead consumers by misrepresenting how much they will save and how quickly their debts will get resolved. << Based on public legal filings and on information and belief, Strategic also worked with Legal Helpers Debt Resolution, a Chicago-based consumer debt company that operated nationally as a supposed law firm. Would love to hear from you. /Rotate 0 endobj I contracted with Monarch Legal on Feb., 2020 because I was unable to pay all of my credit card debts from a serious drop in my business. Your consent to the above terms is not required as a condition of purchasing or receiving our services. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); My Guide to Getting Out of Debt With Proven Methods and Smart Ideas, Major Changes to All Your Federal Student Loans to Be Eliminated in Bankruptcy, Those That File Bankruptcy Do Better Than Those That Dont, Why Income-Based Student Loan Payments Can Be a Terrible Trap. /Annots [] 36 0 obj /Parent 10 0 R The Citys investigation found no bankruptcy case filings by Monarch. endobj The Ultimate Consumer Guide to Checking Out a Debt Relief Company Before You Sign On the Line, These Private Student Loans Can Be Easily Discharged in Bankruptcy, Top 10 Reasons You Should Stop Paying Your Unaffordable Private Student Loan. /Parent 10 0 R Specifically, Defendants ignore consumers financial situations and seemingly do not care whether consumers can realistically finish their payment program. Reviews /Rotate 0 But the Citys investigation indicates that Defendants services are not performed by lawyers, and lawyers do not actually supervise the non-attorneys settling debts. Customer service is quick, efficient and professional. << endobj On information and belief, Defendants deliberately obscure the fee structure in these estimates to induce consumers to contract with them. 44 0 obj Acknowledging the harm that debt resolution programs create for consumers with debt and credit issues, governments have increased regulation in this area. I paid them $8100 in fees to settle debts and they failed to adequately represent me with legal counsel. This omission dramatically changes the savings and time estimates Defendants provide to consumers, because of the high interest rates applied to consumer debt. Monarchs Client Retainer Agreement states that [t]he law firm puts in place a customized strategy based on the individual client and their debts[. I see that with the Debt Validation companies. One Google reviewer wrote that all the good reviews [about Strategic] reviewer are FAKE. /Rotate 0 The text of the call script for Option 1 Legal and for Monarch are the same, except for the law firm name. Monarch tells prospective consumers that its client services team (which, in reality, consists of Strategic employees located in another state) will assist [customers] in arranging to speak with an attorney to provide legal advice or respond to legal questions. /Rotate 0 /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] 34 0 obj /Parent 9 0 R Strategic created a wholly-owned subsidiary called Carolina Client Services, LLC to carry out the solo practitioners debt settlement program. /Contents [274 0 R 275 0 R 276 0 R] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Attorneys rote notes demonstrate that they did not meaningfully interact with clients. /Resources 261 0 R Second, Defendants predict that they will negotiate settlement agreements at around 40% of the debt consumers owe when they enter the payment plan. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Annots [] 57 0 obj The Citys investigation indicates that neither Monarch nor Strategic employ lawyers to handle Litigation Defense. Instead, Monarch acts as a referral service by attempting to contract with outside lawyers to handle those matters for small flat fees.