Internet's first get-out-of-debt community - 145,000 members

Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 4:57 pm Subject: Oakview Law Group

Hi I just spoke with rep at Oakview and was informed that I would be paying $100 per month or $50 depending on what I wanted directly to them for the first 5 months or in the latter 10 months / now I'm reading a post which clearly states they work on a contingincy basis and do not take fees unless they settle! I'm not even yet in default and he was pressurizing me to start today! I declined to start right now ~ as I have read from other members that is is better to start after 3 months in default. They sound great but i am erring on the side of caution / BTW my total debt is $9,500

Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:11 pm Subject:

If you are a good candidate for settlement your bills are already behind or about to be. It doesn't mean you have to wait until you are 3 month behind before you join. That makes no sense. Perhaps you misunderstood what the other members meant. Creditors won`t settle until the accounts are at least 90-120 days late. That doesn't mean you can`t start a program sooner and start saving your money earlier . The longer you take to settle the more of a risk of judgment you have. The sooner you start the settlement program the less of a risk you have of getting a judgment.

Are you overextended and can`t afford the minimum payments? Are you having a hardship ? If the answers are both no than you are most likely not a candidate for debt settlement. Maybe a debt management Plan would better suite your needs. If you answered yes to both of those questions than you are a good candidate for settlement and the sooner you start the better.
Sorry but I agree with Oak View . The sooner you start, the better your odds are of getting the best results .

Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 8:21 am Subject:

I've talked to Mr. BG @ Oakview several times in regards to my situation and he always gives me the time I need when we talk.

I wouldn't be concerned about their monthly fees. Just figure out what their total fees will work out to. I compared their contract to a few others I have and their fees do work out right in the middle of the ones I checked.

I'm still considering Oakview because of their legal advice and the fact they are flexible on my payments.

One of the things I don't like is their early termination fees, but Mr. BG at Oakview says they would delete that part in my contract if I go with them, which I like.

I also didn't like the fact they have no percentage gaurantee where the other few companies I checked do. For example, the other companies I talked to gaurantee you won't pay any higher than 50 to 55% and they do adjust them lower if they get them lower. Of course it depends how they factor their fees. That being said, if you still on your payment plan, you should be ok I would think.

Lastly Oakview is a newer company and they have a BB rating of only Satisfactory. That worries me, but I haven't seen anyone complain about their company.

Either way, talk to a few companies and see who seems best for you.

Good luck.

mayamom · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 2:21 am Subject: Oakview Law Group

Thank you to all for your swift replies!
My original post was about the way Oakview Law Group structure their fees / $100 enrollment up front plus $50 per month for 10 months or $100 per month for 5 months / I was confused as too where my repayment to the creditors would start and how long it would take them to negotiate a settlement / also if there would be more fees / I need to clarify this with them first / have contacted Superior also and it seemed an clearer line of communication / the conversation I had with Oakview seemed like I was talking to someone in a call center! the line was terrible. I guess I am confused about the fee structure.

Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 4:30 am Subject:

Oak View Law Group's BBB reliability report is given below: -

JinSanJose · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:06 pm Subject:

Hire a local attorney to assist you with any pitfalls you might encounter and do it yourself so you know it is getting it done right. You only have one chance at choosing folks, who do you trust the most? I would go with you and your local attorney.

Jedi · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:26 pm Subject:

Do not join any debt settlement companies, keep your hard earn money by your side and negotiate your own debt, it is not difficult at all.

GoFerIt · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:48 pm Subject:

Mayamom,

If you're only concerned with fee structure I'd go with OVLG for sure. It truly has no competition in that market niche.

Phoenix,

You hit the nail on the head. Makes no sense to protect yourself by checking the state bar website to see if your law office has a licensed lawyer. You want to wait until someone gets screwed who then complains to BBB. The license to practice is really optional anyway. Hey, law school and bar dues are expensive, and who needs that?

Remember: caveat emptor is not advice. Nevertheless, please do us all a favor and complain to BBB so we'll know if you got hosed.

Guest · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:48 pm Subject:

The BBB report above list 4 employees. The report also notes that they have been in business since March of this year so not much of a track record. It's just best to know who you are dealing with. Save some money and do it yourself with the aid of some local legal help.

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:57 pm Subject:

GoFerIt's comment of

"It truly has no competition in that market niche."

really struck me as funny ... it has been a long week and reading that made me laugh Smile

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 5:42 pm Subject:

Hi Mayamom, there are many reasons why I did not choose to have attorney's help me. I did choose an attorney firm that does debt settlement out of AZ was with them for 4 months and was served a summons on one of the accounts. I worked out an arrangement with the lawyers from the creditor so the case was dismissed. But when I contacted them they told me that I should file bankruptcy which they would help me with. At that moment, the light bulb came and what Teresa at Superior told me made absolute sense. So I called her and she told me that it was not too late for the other accounts that I had. So I was able to change them over to her and get enrolled. The lawyers kept all the fees that I had paid there were no refunds. Plus when I went to Superior they also had more money being saved rather than all their fees up front. I was relieved that within the 3 month of saving I had 1 account settled then in the 6 month 2 more accounts were settled. It has been a bit stressful but it is a lesson that I have learned.

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 7:27 pm Subject:

I will request everyone to review the fee structure charged by Oak View Law Group. We charge the 10% success fee on contingency basis. We want to show our clients the exact numbers on how much the debt is settled for on the outstanding balance so that the 10% success fee on the savings is calculated. We DO NOT want to hold our clients money for a certain number of months just in fees before starting to work on their creditors included in the program. Most of the people whom I speak with find this to be fair enough. We do charge the enrollment fee and the monthly fee upfront because we are working on clients' file and negotiating with their creditors on a daily basis. Please review the fee structure with Oak View Law Group for a better understanding.

We apologize that the office address on our web site was not updated from the last 18 months. We have now updated the office address. Please see the updated contact us page. Also we will be soon putting up the pictures of our office on our website

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