By including these testimonials, Monarch Legal Group does not represent that every consumer will experience the same outcome by employing our services, nor do we intend to represent that these testimonials represent all customers experiences. endobj 3 0 obj /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Parent 9 0 R /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] >> endobj endobj /Type /Page Defendants dramatically misstate the consumers estimated savings and program length. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Monarch Legal Group Complaints 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. After the entry of judgment, Defendants negotiated a settlement. Strategic created a wholly-owned subsidiary called Carolina Client Services, LLC to carry out the solo practitioners debt settlement program. Therefore, Monarchs attorneysboth in- house lawyers and those hired on a contract basisare not engaged in the practice of law. 26 0 obj Fees for changing banking information, payment plans, and adding new debts to the program vary from $19.95 to $299. endobj Monarch Legal Group is a law firm. Defendants did not make any settlement payments from the consumers account. /Resources 165 0 R /Type /Pages /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] These firms push consumers to enroll in programs with significant advance fees. | Read 21-40 Reviews out of 44 A prohibition on advising consumers, expressly or by implication, to stop making payments to their creditors and to stop communicating with their creditors. WebYour experience matters. While Strategic and its subsidiaries process consumers substantial payments, provide ineffective customer service, and may negotiate with creditors, Monarch convinces consumers that a law firm is providing the debt resolution services. /Kids [55 0 R 56 0 R 57 0 R 58 0 R 59 0 R 60 0 R 61 0 R 62 0 R 63 0 R 64 0 R] I see that with the Debt Validation companies. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] In fact, at least insofar as the practices at issue here are concerned, Monarch does not provide legal advice or representation. Monarch Media Group FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS EASTERN /Contents [278 0 R 279 0 R 280 0 R] /Parent 8 0 R Your consent to the above terms is not required as a condition of purchasing or receiving our services. endobj In exchange for the advertised services, Defendants charge significant up-front costs and monthly fees. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] endobj Your experience matters. | Read 41-42 Reviews out of 42. Defendants also repeatedly fail to provide litigation defense services to consumers when creditors sue them. /Annots [] endobj /Parent 11 0 R Be the first one to write one. 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. In one case, Defendants settled a debt worth $3,943, agreeing to pay between 40-60% of the debt. /Resources 257 0 R Legal services are only offered once a Monarch Legal Group attorney has had an opportunity to review the specific facts of a case and indicates a willingness to take on the representation. /Type /Page /Resources 273 0 R /Contents [270 0 R 271 0 R 272 0 R] In the documents reviewed by the City, Monarch attorneys never rejected a settlement proposed by Strategic employees. /Annots [] | Read 41-44 Reviews out of 44 Amount in Dispute: $8,600.00 A reasonable consumer would conclude that Defendants higher fee structure is warranted because the company offers legal expertise. /Kids [45 0 R 46 0 R 47 0 R 48 0 R 49 0 R 50 0 R 51 0 R 52 0 R 53 0 R 54 0 R] /Rotate 0 /Parent 4 0 R WebMonarch Legal Group provides a very valuable service for those needing to get out of debt and take their financial situation seriously. endobj /Parent 9 0 R /Type /Page BBB encourages you to check with the appropriate agency to be certain any requirements are currently being met. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] << /Rotate 0 How BBB Processes Complaints and Reviews. /Contents [94 0 R 95 0 R 96 0 R] Defendants purport to collect consumers income and expense information to determine their monthly payments. 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. Be the first to review! 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. /Rotate 0 59 0 obj 12 0 obj Sign up for free now, Sign up for free to participate on the website. View Site. For example, Monarch reserves the right to refuse to provide legal defense services if the client does not have to submit all pages of the subpoena, complaint, evidence, and briefs to Monarch and be filed within 15 or 7 days, depending on the state. /Resources 177 0 R 22 0 obj Copyright 2020 Business Consumer Alliance All Rights Reserved. << Consumers reported not understanding the terms of the program after these short appointments. >> /Annots [] But Defendants settled the account for more than the consumer could possibly pay. All at ZERO COST to you. /ProcSet [/PDF /Text /ImageB /ImageC /ImageI] 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. WebThese instructions are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice or substitute for the provisions of any statute, rule, or regulation. /Resources 237 0 R Timberline entered into a consent agreement and order with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for violating Pennsylvanias Debt Settlement Services Act. /Rotate 0 /Parent 8 0 R 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. They answer my questions promptly and accurately. Monarch nevertheless tells consumers that they pay for legal services and will have the assistance of attorneys. /Rotate 0 /Rotate 0 >> /Annots [] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Contents [82 0 R 83 0 R 84 0 R] Its deceiving, unethical and gives the Industry and the legitimate companies a black eye. endobj /Annots [] In a review on the professional website Glassdoor, one former employee explained that if you say the real company name [Strategic] most people are confused as to why your [sic] are calling them. Another former employee implored Strategic to [b]e honest about what you are doing. /Rotate 0 Anyone considering a lawyer should independently investigate the lawyers credentials and ability and should not rely upon advertisements or self-proclaimed expertise. /Type /Page It sucks that you found yourself in that position. In practice, Defendants cannot consistently negotiate such beneficial settlements, and information provided to the City by consumers suggests that many debts are settled for over 60% of the amount owed. Attorneys rote notes demonstrate that they did not meaningfully interact with clients. /Type /Page Monarch Law Group | Better Business Bureau Profile 50 0 obj /Type /Page Monarch Investment and Management Group Reviews ] 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). THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT. 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. << >> King Charles: From excessively shy boy to monarch-in Source: New Reviews << >> /Rotate 0 Defendantsa debt settlement companyknow that debt accrues substantial interest and late fees. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] endobj If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile. endobj /Rotate 0 /Parent 10 0 R /Pages 4 0 R /Contents [182 0 R 183 0 R 184 0 R] What do you think? >> /Contents [86 0 R 87 0 R 88 0 R] The attorney did not appear in the proceeding and the creditor received a default judgment against the consumer. stream A reasonable consumer likely would decline to contract with Monarch had she known that debt negotiation and customer service would be outsourced to another company in another state that is staffed by non-lawyers. /Annots [] 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. On information and belief, Monarch and Strategic Financial Solutions primarily or even exclusively steer clients to the debt resolution program for two reasons. << endobj It is not a lawyer referral service or prepaid legal /Annots [] Both these promises appear in the Payment Schedule section of Monarchs retainer agreements. /Rotate 0 /Rotate 0 Contact Us. Outrage by companies that remain silent does not equal action to protect good companies or debt relief help for consumers that need reputable help. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Reviews Despite paying a monthly retainer fee for a lawyer, the consumer responded to the summons and defended himself in court. 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. 51 0 obj Everyone has been extremely nice, helpful, explaining everything thank you. In which an option of consolidating all my unsecured debt into a single monthly payment was advertised. The Rule prohibits debt relief companies from charging fees before settling or resolving a consumer debt. The Citys investigation indicates that even when Defendants agents negotiate settlements with creditors on consumers behalf, they do not act in consumers best interest. Monarchs website states that Timothy Burnette is the attorney responsible for the content of this Site.. 32 0 obj /Annots [] It is not a lawyer referral service or prepaid legal services plan. Reviews /Type /Metadata << Well guide you through the process. /Annots [] BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. For example, after 10 months in a program, only 4% of one consumers payments went to settlements. 49 0 obj /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Though consumers sign agreements and make payments to Monarch, they rarely, if ever, speak with Monarch employees, let alone Monarch lawyers. /Type /Page City of Chicago Goes After Strategic Financial Solutions 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. endobj << 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. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Contents [130 0 R 131 0 R 132 0 R] WebMonarch Legal has completely shut me down. /Resources 253 0 R Your experience matters. /Parent 12 0 R /Contents [98 0 R 99 0 R 100 0 R] BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. endobj /Contents [146 0 R 147 0 R 148 0 R] Defendants make these representations in order to secure consumers participation in their debt resolution program. Timothy Burnette is, on information and belief, the sole member and manager of Burnette Legal Group, LLC d/b/a Monarch Legal Group. << Many debt resolution businesseslike Strategic Financial Solutionshave not organized themselves as law firms.

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