/CropBox [0 0 612 792] PRIVACY POLICYTERMS AND CONDITIONS. Settlement is within acceptable firm parameters. /Annots [] endobj 23 0 obj /Rotate 0 /Rotate 0 /Count 52 45 0 obj In one example, a consumer owed $910 on a debt at the time the consumer signed a contract with Defendants. I do not know what accounts have been paid, haven't been paid, etc. /Contents [270 0 R 271 0 R 272 0 R] /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Contents [142 0 R 143 0 R 144 0 R] PAID ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT: However, due to a temporary disability I was in and a hardship I was facing, I called and applied to the loan. /Contents [258 0 R 259 0 R 260 0 R] /Rotate 0 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. The testimonials reflect individuals experience with our services. Dissatisfied consumers have further limited recourse because Defendants require consumers to sign arbitration agreements and class action waivers. endobj /Type /Page 6 0 obj >> >> /Parent 12 0 R 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. endobj All at ZERO COST to you. For businesses Categories Blog. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Resources 225 0 R >> Consumers who receive deceptive and inaccurate information from Strategic are unable to report that conduct to any attorney regulatory bodies because the employees are not lawyers. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] << b. 7 0 obj How BBB Processes Complaints and Reviews. << But on information and belief, most consumers cannot invoke that policy because the terms and conditions are restrictive and exclude most consumers. 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. /Contents [110 0 R 111 0 R 112 0 R] Date of experience: September 04, 2020 Of course, late fees and collection After the entry of judgment, Defendants negotiated a settlement. Defendants knowingly mislead consumers by misrepresenting how much they will save and how quickly their debts will get resolved. /Type /Page This website is an advertisement. 32 0 obj /Annots [] After an initial phone call, Defendants send paralegals or notaries from third-party companies to prospective consumers homes or those representatives conduct a presentation virtually. /Parent 9 0 R /Type /Page Reviews << << Can I Send a Cease and Desist Letter to a Debt Collector? >> /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Contents [134 0 R 135 0 R 136 0 R] The Monarch promises in promotional materials and in retainer agreements that it will provide Litigation Defense Services in the event the client receives a Summons and Complaint from a creditor or debt collector for non-payment. << /Resources 165 0 R /Parent 9 0 R /Type /Page >> << /CropBox [0 0 612 792] 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. First, Defendants fail to incorporate their Settlement Payment Fees into the good faith estimate of consumer savings. get quotes and more. There are no reviews yet. /Annots [] No statements on this website are intended to suggest or convey any guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of any legal matter. /Title (Briggs v. Strategic Financial Solutions, LLC et al. The information on this website is not legal advice, and does not take the place of consulting with a lawyer. Typically, debt firms instruct consumers to stop paying unsecured creditors and begin saving money to settle those accounts. >> >> /Type /Page Disclosures Required Under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Do you agree with Monarchlegalgroup's TrustScore? /Rotate 0 << Participating in debt resolution programs carries significant risks. << Briggs v. Strategic Financial Solutions, LLC et al. 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. 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. The Citys investigation found no bankruptcy case filings by Monarch. /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] /Contents [122 0 R 123 0 R 124 0 R] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Contents [82 0 R 83 0 R 84 0 R] 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. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] In the examples that the City has seen, and on information and belief in other instances too, Monarch lawyers do not perform debt settlement work. WebMonarch Legal Group provides a very valuable service for those needing to get out of debt and take their financial situation seriously. Monarch Legal 4 0 obj 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. << /Length 493 Not all clients are able to complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. >> Login. >> If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] This business is in an industry that may require professional licensing, bonding or registration. Defendants unrealistic expense estimates demonstrate their complete indifference to the welfare of their consumers. >> /Annots [] 49 0 obj Defendants contracted with a local attorney, not employed by Monarch, to represent the consumer in a lawsuit by a creditor. The Honest and Unvarnished Truth. /Annots [] The consumer did not hear from Monarch for two weeks. >> As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. /Annots [] /Parent 13 0 R WebMonday-Friday, 9AM - 5:30PM ET. >> endobj Company resolves 0% of complaints brought to its attention from Business Consumer Alliance. /Type /Page On information and belief, Defendants estimates for other Chicago consumers contained similar inaccuracies. >> Your experience matters. When Defendants do negotiate a settlement payment plan, those payments typically last for many months, and for each payment Defendants charge the consumer an extra $10 (Settlement Payment Fees). /Parent 10 0 R Lessons Learned. 28 0 obj /Parent 10 0 R Defendants make these representations in order to secure consumers participation in their debt resolution program. Monarch Legal Group /CropBox [0 0 612 792] This program started in September of 2019 and has consumed a large amount of our finances. /Parent 10 0 R /Type /Page After several payments, the consumer paid $75 to the creditor and $50 in fees. Complaint Resolution Index (CRI) Explained. /Parent 8 0 R Current and former Strategic employees have noted that Monarchs and Strategics practices confuse consumers. I have been pleased by the results Monarch has gotten for me so far. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Type /Page endobj /Rotate 0 /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Steve Rhode is the Get Out of Debt Guy and has been helping good people with bad debt problems since 1994. 46 0 obj We each had to appear in court on our own because one of their attorneys could not be present. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Defendants have also completely neglected to administer the settlement. | Read 21-40 Reviews out of 44 Its the exact reason Veritas stopped working with them altogether, many of our participating attorneys will not work with them either. 203 N. LaSalle, #2100, Chicago, IL 60601 1-877-450-8853, Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value. /Rotate 0 /Resources 129 0 R 56 0 obj Thank you Sir. << Consumer complaints on the Better Business Bureaus website recount similar experiences: Consumers may be unable to access the typical methods for reporting attorney misconduct. /Resources 141 0 R /Type /Page The completed form will be automatically submitted to the State Inspector /CropBox [0 0 612 792] They help people file for relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. If we can verify it in our system, an email will be sent to you with your password. /Rotate 0 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. ] 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). >> 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 /Rotate 0 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 [98 0 R 99 0 R 100 0 R] The policy, as written, does not provide consumers with adequate relief. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Nothing in this website is to be construed as an offer for legal services. /Type /Catalog Defendants hide that reality from consumers through Defendants misleading estimated payment schedules. 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. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment. /Annots [] I was very nervous about making this move but I was reassured and put at ease with the way I was treated. /Type /Page /Annots [] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] >> 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. We are a debt relief /Rotate 0 /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Monarchs agreement misleads consumers and contradicts other statements the company makes in prominent promotional materials that consumers rely on. But Defendants settled the account for more than the consumer could possibly pay. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. We would appreciate it if you could take a /Resources 161 0 R b. /Annots [] endobj /Rotate 0 /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] These requirements include, for example: a. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] << /Kids [15 0 R 16 0 R 17 0 R 18 0 R 19 0 R 20 0 R 21 0 R 22 0 R 23 0 R 24 0 R] /Type /Pages /Annots [] We would greatly appreciate any guidance that we need to do at this point to recoup our money paid to them (almost 3 years worth). /Annots [] a reliable team behind me makes all the difference. /Parent 9 0 R After accounting for Defendants various fees, consumers end up paying only a small amount into their reserves for settlement of their debts. /Type /Page 41 0 obj >> /Annots [] MRM has received many consumer complaints alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collections >> /Count 10 /Annots [] >> The same can happen to you! 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. /Type /Page << /CropBox [0 0 612 792] endobj << /Pages 4 0 R /Rotate 0 Choose the serviceBankruptcyFDCPAFCRAConsumer LitigationOther. /Contents [90 0 R 91 0 R 92 0 R] Defendants have attempted to avoid these rules by operating under the name Monarch Legal. Monarch markets the debt resolution program it operates with Strategic as having a generous refund policy. It is not a lawyer referral service or prepaid legal /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Contents [206 0 R 207 0 R 208 0 R] /Parent 12 0 R << For businesses Categories Blog. Monarch Legal and Strategic Financial Solutions jointly run a fraudulent debt resolution program that preys on Chicagoans struggling with debt. >> >> endobj /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Annots [] 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. I feel that I can now reach my goal and make my life better in the near future. 22 0 obj Would love to hear from you. Atty Approved.. As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. 8 0 obj Strategic Financial Solutions works with a number of fraudulent debt settlement outfits, including, for example, Carolina Legal Services, a debt settlement law firm that recently closed following an investigation by the North Carolina State Bar and the suspension of the attorney in charge of the law firm. In one of those files, Monarch included a call script for a different legal entity, Option 1 Legal. BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes. Monarch refers to itself as a debt relief agency and law firm on its website, www.monarchlegalgroup.com. A prohibition on advising consumers, expressly or by implication, to stop making payments to their creditors and to stop communicating with their creditors. /Subtype /XML Defendants ultimately settled this debt for $1,096, over 60% of the amount owed at the time the debt was settled. << /Kids [35 0 R 36 0 R 37 0 R 38 0 R 39 0 R 40 0 R 41 0 R 42 0 R 43 0 R 44 0 R] /Resources 253 0 R Monarch also requires that the clients account payments be current. Your experience matters. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Former and current employees have reported that this discrepancy is part of Defendants marketing agenda. When, as is often the case, Defendants fail to refer the case to an outside lawyer, Defendants have refused to provide any representation. The Cohn Law Firm - Baton Rouge, Louisiana Bankruptcy, /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Side Hustle Review - Is It Too Late To Make Money With A Helium Miner? 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). /Type /Pages << /ProcSet [/PDF /Text /ImageB /ImageC /ImageI] /Type /Page /Type /Page 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. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Contents [126 0 R 127 0 R 128 0 R] Indeed, Defendants might prefer for consumers to withdraw from the program after one year. Strategic created a wholly-owned subsidiary called Carolina Client Services, LLC to carry out the solo practitioners debt settlement program. Visit Salary.com to find out Monarch Grand Vacations salary, Categories Blog For businesses. /Parent 11 0 R >> /Parent 11 0 R To reduce its fee and finish the last two settlements! /Rotate 0 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. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] I was reassured that in 24 moths I would be able to get out of debt and conserve if not improve my credit score. 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. Login - Monarch Legal Group The Complaint Resolution Index (CRI) is an indicator on how responsive a company is in addressing and resolving customer complaints brought to their attention by BCA. << /CropBox [0 0 612 792] The City of Chicago filed a lawsuit against Strategic Financial Solutions, Burnette Legal Group, Timothy Burnette, and Monarch Legal Group on July 26, 2022. /Contents [146 0 R 147 0 R 148 0 R] Defendants deceive vulnerable consumers in the process. /Rotate 0 /Parent 8 0 R /Contents [178 0 R 179 0 R 180 0 R] /Filter /FlateDecode >> 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. 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. endobj 225 ILCS 429/125(a). << Employee and customer online reviews suggest that Strategic works with as many as ten law firms:. The representatives read from a script about Monarchs program and ask consumers to sign an agreement after the meeting. >> Categories Blog For businesses. See 815 ILCS 505/2JJJ. Customer names may also have been shortened or masked to protect privacy. /Contents [170 0 R 171 0 R 172 0 R] Can you help me please? /CropBox [0 0 612 792] 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). See BrokerCheck by FINRA, James M Katayanagi, available at https://brokercheck.finra.org/individual/summary/4890437; Complaint, Department of Enforcement v. James M. Katayanagi, (FINRA Office of Hearing Officers, Proceeding No. 44 0 obj For example, Monarchs homepage advertises that the attorneys at Monarch Legal Group have the skill and experience to fight for your rights, mount a defense and protect your property:. Write reviews, ask and respond to questions, endobj You can read the complaint filed in this case. enquiries@monarchsolicitors.com. /Type /Page You can learn more about Steve. The testimonials selected may include testimonials made by individual customers on the third-party sites. We are scared and desperate at this point, See if this sounds like a reasonable and logical approach. /Parent 12 0 R endobj /CropBox [0 0 612 792] 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 Defendants charge a slew of other fees, including a Retainer Fee and a monthly flat Legal Administration Fee. In the contracts viewed by the City, Defendants Retainer Fee was $995 and the monthly Legal Administration Fee ranged from $55 to $89. Hiring a lawyer is an important process that should not be based solely on any advertisement. /Contents [250 0 R 251 0 R 252 0 R] /Contents [262 0 R 263 0 R 264 0 R] It was when I filed a complaint with BBB and posted negative reviews that they took action. /Contents [150 0 R 151 0 R 152 0 R] The State of Illinois sued Legal Helpers and its principals for similar consumer-protection violations in 2012. We do not guarantee that your debts will be resolved for a specific amount or percentage or within a specific period of time and your results will likely vary. endobj /Annots [] Skip to main content Better Business Bureau >> /Contents [154 0 R 155 0 R 156 0 R] endobj endobj /Resources 177 0 R Strategics partnership with Monarch is not unique. /Resources 229 0 R /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Well guide you through the process. The text of the call script for Option 1 Legal and for Monarch are the same, except for the law firm name. /Resources 273 0 R /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Defendants purport to collect consumers income and expense information to determine their monthly payments. /Annots [] >> << /Length 445 - 1:22-cv-03705) /Annots [] /Annots [] Do you agree with Monarchlegalgroup's TrustScore? /Annots [] 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. 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. /Parent 4 0 R I enrolled with 9 accounts in the program. 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. Complaint Form - Office of State Inspector General After the first 22 months, over 53% of this consumers payments were earmarked as going to the Service Cost.. << /Parent 8 0 R BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. Meanwhile Defendants collect thousands of dollars, money that consumers could have used to pay down their debts but for Defendants unrealistic promises and reassurances. << >> I was told that I would only receive $200 left in my savings after they had withdrawn over $3500 in fees from my account. In fact, Monarch will only refund fees if Monarch is unable to settle a debt for less than 35% of the amount owed. Reviews of Defendants on various online platforms like Glassdoor, Google, and Better Business Bureau paint starkly different pictures. /Rotate 0 /Contents 66 0 R The Citys investigation indicates that Defendants do not employ defense attorneys and often tell consumers to defend themselves. xMs0+"N'53=tzAe8H~W28I;.,%$,IO %' ~NTbK /Q*YQ> ~BO> B0~6IfA>rDN+dT0Q.BcywS Ocs^K~1,WlbAVrnSy3lAb@ /Contents [186 0 R 187 0 R 188 0 R] 59 0 obj Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating, Need to file a complaint? /Resources 133 0 R BBB reports on known marketplace practices. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Rotate 0 According to employee reviews on Glassdoor, Strategic Financial Services asks its employees to post falsified positive reviews to cover up the truthful negative ones: Reviewers on Better Business Bureau and Google also concluded that Defendants positive reviews are inaccurate. << /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Despite paying a monthly retainer fee for a lawyer, the consumer responded to the summons and defended himself in court. endobj /CropBox [0 0 612 792] The testimonials provided are selected from independent third-party sites. /CropBox [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. 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 Though the Defendants program makes many consumers worse off, the companies succeed by collecting substantial fees, refusing to provide contracted-for services, and continually attracting new program participants by deceptive marketing tactics like fake reviews. /Annots [] endobj /Type /Page /Resources 265 0 R I accept the offer and signed a contract on June of 2020 with Monarch legal group. WebMonarch Legal has completely shut me down. - 1:22-cv-03705. stream 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. 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. endobj c. Most significant to Defendants, complying with Illinois regulation would sharply curtail their abusive fee structure, discussed further in Section II below. /Contents [106 0 R 107 0 R 108 0 R] /Annots [] 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.. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] 20 0 obj /Resources 145 0 R /CropBox [0 0 612 792] King Charles: From excessively shy boy to monarch-in * ekVCwIqhpjZDhWI`kN9R=46lz+5, Briggs v. Strategic Financial Solutions, LLC et al. Everything you need to know about man who became heir to British throne 71 years ago 1. /Parent 8 0 R /Annots [] /Resources 241 0 R The Citys investigation indicates that Defendants do not act in consumers best interest when creating a customized payment program. >> Instead, Defendants require consumers to sign an Account Servicing Agreement with Reliant Account Management, LLC (RAM). endobj >> << We signed a contract that they would legally handle all affairs with our creditors. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] How to Get Out of Debt. << /Contents [226 0 R 227 0 R 228 0 R] /Resources 201 0 R Anne that is so good to hear about the refund.
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