endobj BBB encourages you to check with the appropriate agency to be certain any requirements are currently being met. /Type /Page /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Contents [122 0 R 123 0 R 124 0 R] /Annots [] Despite paying a monthly retainer fee for a lawyer, the consumer responded to the summons and defended himself in court. Then I was told I qualified for a debt consideration program. >> endobj >> /Annots [] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Type /Page /Contents [194 0 R 195 0 R 196 0 R] Monarch nevertheless tells consumers that they pay for legal services and will have the assistance of attorneys. START REPORTING THEM TO THE ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE 1-800-243-0618 AND BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU SO THEY CAN BE SHUT DOWN AGAIN. << /Length 493 endobj << /Contents [274 0 R 275 0 R 276 0 R] endobj /Contents [146 0 R 147 0 R 148 0 R] WebThe Cohn Law Firm in Baton Rouge has more than 50 years of combined legal experience in bankruptcy, business law and business formation. << 32 0 obj /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Parent 4 0 R >> >> endobj Join the 47 people who've already contributed. 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. We signed a contract that they would legally handle all affairs with our creditors. I see that with the Debt Validation companies. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] When, as is often the case, Defendants fail to refer the case to an outside lawyer, Defendants have refused to provide any representation. Voice your opinion today and hear what 44 customers have already said. One Google reviewer wrote that all the good reviews [about Strategic] reviewer are FAKE. 58 0 obj /Rotate 0 After accounting for Defendants various fees, consumers end up paying only a small amount into their reserves for settlement of their debts. In the first 12 months, Defendants collect their service costs and retainer fees. The Citys investigation indicates that Defendants do not employ defense attorneys and often tell consumers to defend themselves. /Parent 12 0 R If consumers withdraw after one year, Defendants collect substantial sums without performing work. endobj /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Each of the lawyers on this site are either Managers, Members, Partners, Limited Partners or staff attorneys. Significantly, consumers pay legal fees even if Monarch refuses to provide those services. Meanwhile Defendants collect thousands of dollars, money that consumers could have used to pay down their debts but for Defendants unrealistic promises and reassurances. /Annots [] >> >> But the Citys investigation indicates that Strategics customer service team does not make attorneys available for client calls. /Rotate 0 endobj 60 0 obj /Type /Page /Annots [] In one example, Defendants collected 19% of a consumers total debtor $6,771.60during the first 22 months of a 48-month payment plan. How to Try to Get a Refund From a Debt Relief Company, The Ultimate Guide to Dealing With Student Loans You Cant Afford. Defendants include in the total used to calculate their Service Costs not only the enrolled debt at the time that the consumer signs an agreement but also the additional debts and fees that accrue after the consumer heeds Defendants instruction to stop making payments to creditors. WebMONARCH LEGAL GROUP AKA BURNETTE LEGAL GROUP INVOLVES TIMOTHY BURNETTE AND JASON BLUST. Monarch Law Group offers personal injury, commercial litigation, corporate law, matrimonial/family law and real estate legal services. I paid them $8100 in fees to settle debts and they failed to adequately represent me with legal counsel. endobj As the sole member and manager, Burnette has controlled and continues to control Defendant Monarchs conduct, including its arrangements with Strategic and other third-party vendors that carry out the debt resolution program. /Parent 10 0 R Specifically, Defendants ignore consumers financial situations and seemingly do not care whether consumers can realistically finish their payment program. Given those significant fees, the consumers potential savings on the amount owed was far less than Monarch advertised and explained. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Parent 11 0 R /Type /Page Contact Us Monarch Legal Group. If you are in debt run far far away. As depicted in paragraph 91 above, one BBB reviewer expressed skepticism about Monarchs lone positive review. /Annots [] /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /CropBox [0 0 612 792] WebContact Us. << Current and former Strategic employees have noted that Monarchs and Strategics practices confuse consumers. Don't have an account? Timberline entered into a consent agreement and order with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for violating Pennsylvanias Debt Settlement Services Act. You can learn more about Steve. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] 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. /Resources 165 0 R One day I received in the mail, a personal loan offer. The information on this website is not legal advice, and does not take the place of consulting with a lawyer. << Defendants also repeatedly fail to provide litigation defense services to consumers when creditors sue them. In some instances, the testimonials may be shortened and/or include correction to grammatical or typographical errors. /Type /Page >> | Read 41-42 Reviews out of 42. /Contents [142 0 R 143 0 R 144 0 R] 54 0 obj /Rotate 0 /Parent 11 0 R /Contents [118 0 R 119 0 R 120 0 R] BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. >> /Parent 8 0 R Strategics partnership with Monarch is not unique. /Contents [130 0 R 131 0 R 132 0 R] Briggs v. Strategic Financial Solutions, LLC et al. /Type /Catalog Attorneys rote notes demonstrate that they did not meaningfully interact with clients. We would appreciate it if you could take a As discussed in paragraph 36 above, customers pay a Retainer Fee (often around $1,000) and a monthly flat Legal Administration Fee (from $55 to $85). << For example, one person complained to the City that a customer service representative hung up on him when he called to ask why his wages were being garnished. Now, during the past year I have been paying Monarch Legal to get settlements to my credit cards. Thank you Sir. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] 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. /Rotate 0 /Contents [278 0 R 279 0 R 280 0 R] /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Parent 10 0 R How Do I Get Out of Debt Quickly? /CropBox [0 0 612 792] endobj /Type /Page /Contents [186 0 R 187 0 R 188 0 R] 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. /Rotate 0 /Contents [106 0 R 107 0 R 108 0 R] 31 0 obj 30 0 obj The Law Offices of Robert G. Androsiglio, P.C. More egregiously, Monarch mischaracterizes the refund policy and uses it to induce consumers into joining the debt resolution program when they otherwise would decline to do so. /Resources 109 0 R >> WebMonarch Grand Vacations average salary Updated on March 28, 2023 $95,818 View Hourly Rate Per Year Individually reported data submitted by users of our website 25% $84,341 75% $108,233 $95,818 50% (Median) Highest Paying Job At Monarch Grand Vacations Document Manager - $116,392 See Other Titles Most Popular Job At Monarch Grand Third, Defendants fail to factor in interest rates and estimated late fees into their payment schedule. Not all clients are able to complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] endobj /Rotate 0 /Parent 4 0 R /Parent 8 0 R Lessons Learned. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] >> Anne that is so good to hear about the refund. /Resources 261 0 R Copyright 2020 Business Consumer Alliance All Rights Reserved. endobj 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. << The following is My Monarch legal group/reliant account # 25270. I was very nervous about making this move but I was reassured and put at ease with the way I was treated. I followed the steps that Steve outlined in the blog post he linked below and I was able to get a refund of $14,000 from Monarch. << /Annots [] /Rotate 0 Reg. 12 0 obj /Resources 153 0 R /Rotate 0 Monarch refers to itself as a debt relief agency and law firm on its website, www.monarchlegalgroup.com. /Resources 121 0 R endobj * ekVCwIqhpjZDhWI`kN9R=46lz+5, Briggs v. Strategic Financial Solutions, LLC et al. /Rotate 0 If you are able to qualify which should not be too difficult I recommend their services most highly. Hiring a lawyer is an important process that should not be based solely on any advertisement. In exchange for the advertised services, Defendants charge significant up-front costs and monthly fees. /Annots [] If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile. 5 0 obj It is not a lawyer referral service or prepaid legal /Type /Page endobj << Making a full refund, as the consumer requested, Refuse to adjust, relying on terms of agreement. /Resources 133 0 R What Are Your Spending Habits? 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. endobj 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. There are no reviews yet. /Resources 89 0 R How BBB Processes Complaints and Reviews. >> The City investigation indicates that consumers do not have access to advice from attorneys, and many never receive any form of legal representation. Defendants dramatically misstate the consumers estimated savings and program length. /Type /Metadata I do not know what accounts have been paid, haven't been paid, etc. /Parent 8 0 R WebHow many stars would you give Monarchlegalgroup? /Parent 12 0 R >> << BBB is here to help. This program started in September of 2019 and has consumed a large amount of our finances. << If you need legal advice, call our expert solicitors or fill in our enquiry form and we will get back to you as soon as possible. endobj >> Many debt resolution businesseslike Strategic Financial Solutionshave not organized themselves as law firms. endobj << Second, Monarch attorneys apparently do not provide legal services or representation in bankruptcy cases. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] This company took over $25,000 from me then canceled my account, did not contact me and refuses to give me any information or any access to my online portal. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] We agreed to make payments for representation and assistance. Defendants begin collecting these fees immediately and on a monthly or bimonthly basis. /Type /Page /Annots [] It is not a lawyer referral service or prepaid legal services plan. /Rotate 0 First, that program is most profitable for Defendants. https://getoutofdebt.org//20126/how-to-try-to-get-refund-from-debt-relief-company. Stated results are for illustration purposes only and are not typical of the results you should expect to achieve. Second, Defendants predict that they will negotiate settlement agreements at around 40% of the debt consumers owe when they enter the payment plan. /Contents [178 0 R 179 0 R 180 0 R] << This consumer had paid $3,616.80 to Defendants, but Defendants charged over 96% of these paymentsor $3,476.21 as fees. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. 19 0 obj BBB is here to help. If we can verify it in our system, an email will be sent to you with your password. endobj The majority pay is between $84,341 to $108,233 per year. Amount in Dispute: $8,600.00 Our complaint services are free and our team of expert mediators will assist in resolving complaints with businesses. /Contents [86 0 R 87 0 R 88 0 R] >> This kind of attitude destroys the debt relief space for good people that want to do good things. /Rotate 0 endobj These requirements include, for example: a. WebYour experience matters. Two hours later I was informed that I was denied due to my debt to income ratio. Defendants hide that reality from consumers through Defendants misleading estimated payment schedules. Mr. Robert G. Androsiglio, Founding Managing Partner. Also in 2010, the State of Illinois passed the Illinois Debt Settlement Consumer Protection Act, 225 ILCS 429/1 et seq. But the Citys investigation indicates that Defendants services are not performed by lawyers, and lawyers do not actually supervise the non-attorneys settling debts. Change Your Mindset. /Contents [226 0 R 227 0 R 228 0 R] 14 0 obj 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. 49 0 obj /Rotate 0 WebMonarch Legal Group is a private law firm and is not affiliated with any governmental agency, quasi-governmental agency, or charitable organization. /Contents [82 0 R 83 0 R 84 0 R] >> /Parent 12 0 R My wife and I enrolled in a program to negotiate our debts with Monarch Legal Group. The attorney did not appear in the proceeding and the creditor received a default judgment against the consumer. Already have an account? /Type /Page Voice your opinion today and hear what 47 customers have already said. Defendants documents reveal that attorneys approve settlements that non- attorney Strategic employees have negotiated without significant review. >> /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Annots [] << endobj Defendants also assume the same settlement rate for all consumers without regard to the amount or type of consumers debts (for example, whether the bill has been sent to collections).
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