Reviews Defendants promise that through negotiating with creditors, consumers will be able to settle their debts for less than the amount owed. 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 | Read 21-40 Reviews out of 42. The Law Offices of Robert G. Androsiglio, P.C. The Cohn Law Firm - Baton Rouge, Louisiana Bankruptcy, 342 (b) (1) and 527 (a) (1) As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. << >> In consultations and written retainer agreements, Defendants promise that consumers will save an unrealistic amount of money and will finish the program in an infeasible amount of time. /Parent 9 0 R Briggs v. Strategic Financial Solutions, LLC et al. If Defendants provided more accurate estimates based on their fee structure, interest, and creditor fees, consumers would understand that Defendants program does not provide a significant benefit and may in fact make consumers worse off. Read this post and report complete it because I'm going to explaining in details how Monarch legal group has violated my rights and is contributing to a substantial emotional pain and disturbance. << The Rule applies to attorneys as well as non-lawyers, and prohibits businesses from knowingly providing substantial assistance to a company violating the Rule. Phone (877) 450-8853. 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. endobj 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. 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. /Resources 145 0 R 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. /Type /Pages 23 0 obj Stop The Calls From 877-288-9903 | Agruss Law Firm The Citys investigation indicates that even when Defendants agents negotiate settlements with creditors on consumers behalf, they do not act in consumers best interest. /Contents [102 0 R 103 0 R 104 0 R] /CropBox [0 0 612 792] >> endobj We are a debt relief << The Honest and Unvarnished Truth. /Parent 4 0 R WebYour experience matters. /Contents [90 0 R 91 0 R 92 0 R] /Annots [] RAM collects and deposits consumer payments. 29 YEARS OF OPERATION 2,227 EMPLOYEES 72,097 UNITS 305 COMMUNITIES 20 STATES /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] 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. endobj The user dev_teampresumably a Strategic employeenegotiates a settlement and then creates a debt settlement plan in Defendants database. /Type /Page endobj If consumers withdraw after one year, Defendants collect substantial sums without performing work. It sucks that you found yourself in that position. 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.. On information and belief and as described more fully below, Strategic and Monarch jointly operate the debt settlement program. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Type /Page /Annots [] Defendants begin collecting these fees immediately and on a monthly or bimonthly basis. /Metadata 2 0 R Meanwhile Defendants collect thousands of dollars, money that consumers could have used to pay down their debts but for Defendants unrealistic promises and reassurances. /Count 10 /Type /Page << Please contact a tax professional to discuss potential tax consequences of less than full balance debt resolution. /Rotate 0 You can read the complaint filed in this case. /Resources 273 0 R 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. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Rotate 0 66 0 obj endobj BBB is here to help. Individual customers who submitted testimonials to a third-party site were not compensated for their submission. endobj >> 42 0 obj >> /Rotate 0 BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. On information and belief, Monarch and Strategic Financial Solutions primarily or even exclusively steer clients to the debt resolution program for two reasons. 18 0 obj /Rotate 0 WebMonarch Legal has completely shut me down. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] How BBB Processes Complaints and Reviews. Your experience matters. /Parent 11 0 R /Rotate 0 >> /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Resources 197 0 R In response to the Citys subpoena, Monarch provided information from a limited number of consumer files. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] As a result, my financial situation is worse than when I enrolled in their program three years ago. /Parent 9 0 R 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. /Annots [] /Resources 205 0 R We only had 1 year left on our contract and they canceled. << /Contents [174 0 R 175 0 R 176 0 R] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] >> Angelo, Im seeing a disturbing trend where companies are waiting for clients to get sued and then dropping those accounts and rejecting account refunds. /Contents [118 0 R 119 0 R 120 0 R] Anyone can file a complaint endobj /Type /Page monarch legal group complaints /Contents [186 0 R 187 0 R 188 0 R] >> /Parent 9 0 R /Parent 12 0 R /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Contents [166 0 R 167 0 R 168 0 R] /Type /Page BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. A customer representative then told the consumer that Monarch could not guarantee that a lawyer would be available to represent the consumer at the hearing. Login. >> 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. /Parent 11 0 R Defendants have also completely neglected to administer the settlement. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] << The DSCPA excludes from regulation the services of an attorney engaged in the practice of law. 225 ILCS 429/10. To reduce its fee and finish the last two settlements! City of Chicago Goes After Strategic Financial Solutions /CropBox [0 0 612 792] But Defendants settled the account for more than the consumer could possibly pay. >> Standard phone and data charges will apply. /Annots [] WebComplaints may also be filed by calling the Fraud and Abuse Hotline at 1-866-801-2549. 40 0 obj /Resources 241 0 R Don't have an account? /CropBox [0 0 612 792] >> endobj /Parent 10 0 R Defendants contracted with a local attorney, not employed by Monarch, to represent the consumer in a lawsuit by a creditor. /Type /Page Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment. stream /Annots [] Defendants intend for prospective consumers to rely on falsified positive reviews so that they decide to participate in Defendants program. /Resources 141 0 R This program started in September of 2019 and has consumed a large amount of our finances. I accept the offer and signed a contract on June of 2020 with Monarch legal group. /Rotate 0 Another consumer called with a question about how the debt settlement process worked, and the customer service representative refused to connect her with a lawyer. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Resources 129 0 R 21 0 obj endobj How many stars would you give Monarchlegalgroup? << There are no reviews yet. >> /Length 445 /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Parent 12 0 R b. Complaints for Monarch Legal Group in Chicago , IL /Type /Page 3 0 obj /Resources 253 0 R WebMonarch Legal Group Profile and History . /Parent 9 0 R /Type /Page /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] 12 0 obj 1-877-450-8853, Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value. /Type /Page endobj << /Annots [] >> /Contents [258 0 R 259 0 R 260 0 R] /Type /Page 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. 53 0 obj /Filter /FlateDecode /Contents [274 0 R 275 0 R 276 0 R] /Type /Page >> << 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. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Annots [] On information and belief, Defendants do not care about consumers successful completion of the plan because their up-front fee structure allows them to make most of their profit during the first year of the payment program. View Site. Two hours later I was informed that I was denied due to my debt to income ratio. /Contents [262 0 R 263 0 R 264 0 R] Hiring a lawyer is an important process that should not be based solely on any advertisement. /Parent 12 0 R You can learn more about Steve. Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating, Need to file a complaint? endobj /Contents [238 0 R 239 0 R 240 0 R] Significantly, consumers pay legal fees even if Monarch refuses to provide those services. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Overview Reviews About. /Count 52 /Contents [210 0 R 211 0 R 212 0 R] >> Filing a Complaint - Office of State Inspector General In other instances, Defendants assure consumers that Defendants will handle the litigation and, when an attorney fails to appear, the court enters a default judgment against the consumer. We appreciate any help you can give. BBB reports on known marketplace practices. The Office of State Inspector General is located at 602 North Fifth Street, Sixth Floor, Baton /Contents [86 0 R 87 0 R 88 0 R] Reviews /Type /Page /Rotate 0 /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Rotate 0 << /Contents [270 0 R 271 0 R 272 0 R] The credentials of the person negotiating down debts is material to prospective clients. 64 0 obj Write reviews, ask and respond to questions, >> /Parent 12 0 R /Contents [214 0 R 215 0 R 216 0 R] /Parent 8 0 R Defendants dramatically misstate the consumers estimated savings and program length. View customer complaints of Monarch Legal Group, BBB helps resolve disputes with the services or products a business provides. 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. /Rotate 0 It is this unique and continuous involvement that separates Monarch from the competition and drives superior returns for our investors and employee owners. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Resources 85 0 R Defendants know that they charge these fees and that consumers cannot complete their program without paying them, and yet Defendants omit estimated fees when representing to consumers how much money they will save. 6 0 obj /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Type /Page /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Resources 261 0 R endobj Monarch Legal Group Complaints Biryani Maxx On information and belief, Defendants find program participants by engaging in telemarketing, and Monarch outsources this telemarketing to Strategic Financial Solutions and related entities. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Outrage by companies that remain silent does not equal action to protect good companies or debt relief help for consumers that need reputable help. Monarch retainer agreements identify Law Firm Contacts. Those contacts are not employed by Monarch, and instead work for Strategic or a related entity. 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. /Annots [] << endobj Attorneys and/or law firms promoted through this website are also federally designated Debt Relief Agencies. 43 0 obj Each of the lawyers on this site are either Managers, Members, Partners, Limited Partners or staff attorneys. Voice your opinion today and hear what 44 customers have already said. /Annots [] WebMonarch Legal has completely shut me down. We agreed to make payments for representation and assistance. I was reassured that in 24 moths I would be able to get out of debt and conserve if not improve my credit score. /Resources 225 0 R 33 0 obj /Resources 189 0 R 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. 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. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Parent 12 0 R Change Your Mindset. /Rotate 0 Defendants deceive vulnerable consumers in the process. The consumer did not hear from Monarch for two weeks. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] 225 ILCS 429/125(c). /Resources 213 0 R /Annots [] First, that program is most profitable for Defendants. << Its the exact reason Veritas stopped working with them altogether, many of our participating attorneys will not work with them either. endobj /Title (Briggs v. Strategic Financial Solutions, LLC et al. /Contents [146 0 R 147 0 R 148 0 R] 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. /Resources 173 0 R Monarchs website states that Timothy Burnette is the attorney responsible for the content of this Site.. 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. /Contents [198 0 R 199 0 R 200 0 R] How to Get Out of Debt. BBB reports on known marketplace practices. endobj 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. The policy, as written, does not provide consumers with adequate relief. /Type /Catalog /Resources 229 0 R WebLegal services are only offered once a Monarch Legal Group attorney has had an opportunity to review the specific facts of a case specifically indicates a willingness to take on the representation. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Type /Page endobj In one example, Defendants collected 19% of a consumers total debtor $6,771.60during the first 22 months of a 48-month payment plan. /Type /Page >> /Contents [218 0 R 219 0 R 220 0 R] 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. 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. >> /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] 1 0 obj No statements on this website are intended to suggest or convey any guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of any legal matter. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Can you help me please? /Rotate 0 /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Company resolves 0% of complaints brought to its attention from Business Consumer Alliance. Our reviews are authentic and unbiased, providing you with a complete picture of the company, its products or services, and their customer service. Not all clients are able to complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Second, Defendants predict that they will negotiate settlement agreements at around 40% of the debt consumers owe when they enter the payment plan. /Annots [] << >> 32 0 obj >> /Type /Page >> stream endobj Monarch Hi Miss Anne, Hopefully I have the courage to do what you did to get my refund also. /Annots [] /Type /Page << Amount Settled: $0.00. Be the first one to write one. Reviews 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 /Font << Consumer complaints on the Better Business Bureaus website recount similar experiences: Consumers may be unable to access the typical methods for reporting attorney misconduct. /Kids [8 0 R 9 0 R 10 0 R 11 0 R 12 0 R 13 0 R 14 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. The two contacts excerpted below identify James Katayanagi, an employee of Strategic subsidiary Finance Solutions, and Haider Salas, a former employee of Strategic Financial Solutions, as the consumers Law Firm Contact. Neither Katayanagi nor Salas are lawyers: [Before or concurrent with his employment at Finance Solutions, Katayanagi worked as a personal banker. /Rotate 0 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. ] 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). Many debt resolution businesseslike Strategic Financial Solutionshave not organized themselves as law firms. Skip to main content Better Business Bureau /Contents [266 0 R 267 0 R 268 0 R] /Contents [134 0 R 135 0 R 136 0 R] 48457-523 (Aug. 10, 2010). /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Reviews /Count 10 /Type /Page << Monarch markets the debt resolution program it operates with Strategic as having a generous refund policy. In the scripted presentations that third-party notaries and paralegals make to prospective clients, the representatives state that [t]he law firm is prepared to do what is necessary to represent you, and, if appropriate, defend you against creditor or collector lawsuits. The script also instructs representatives to state that legal fees for your defense are covered by your retainer payments.. /Parent 12 0 R 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). /Contents [106 0 R 107 0 R 108 0 R] Defendants also know that consumers debts will accrue interest because they instruct consumers to stop making payments on their debts. To get away with Defendants scam, Monarch structured itself as a law firm in an attempt to evade responsibility under consumer-protection laws and to leave consumers without meaningful redress. 29 0 obj /Resources 169 0 R /Type /Page /Rotate 0 /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Type /Page 55 0 obj /Contents [230 0 R 231 0 R 232 0 R] Voice your opinion today and hear what 44 customers have already said. /Subtype /XML /Resources 177 0 R Type in the email address you registered with. % /Parent 10 0 R Defendants to change their business practices and would likely result in diminished profit. /Parent 4 0 R But on information and belief, most consumers cannot invoke that policy because the terms and conditions are restrictive and exclude most consumers. 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 >> /Resources 193 0 R 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. /Rotate 0 In one of those files, Monarch included a call script for a different legal entity, Option 1 Legal. Reviews /Rotate 0 /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Monarch Legal is unfortunately, a poorly run business that appears to be criminal in its handling of the client's money. The following example from a Chicago consumer illustrates Defendants failure to provide legal advice related to a settlement. When, as is often the case, Defendants fail to refer the case to an outside lawyer, Defendants have refused to provide any representation. /Annots [] 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.. Reviews /Annots [] 48 0 obj By the time Defendants began negotiating down the debt, the $910 debt had risen to $1,827.01. /Parent 8 0 R This business is in an industry that may require professional licensing, bonding or registration. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Annots [] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] get quotes and more. enquiries@monarchsolicitors.com. 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. /Parent 9 0 R To further reduce the likelihood of providing legal representation, Monarchs retainer agreements place severe restrictions on the provisions of those services. 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. Be the first to review! >> My wife and I enrolled in a program to negotiate our debts with Monarch Legal Group. /Annots [] 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. 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. /Contents [246 0 R 247 0 R 248 0 R] For businesses Categories Blog.