Disclosure: Not affiliated with or endorsed by Turnbull Law Group; trademarks belong to their owners. This is our own research and opinion, not a statement of fact. CuraDebt may be compensated by companies referred to.
Turnbull Law Group Reviews: Is It Legit? (2026)
Is Turnbull Law Group Legit?
Yes, Turnbull Law Group is a real, registered law firm based in Illinois that provides debt settlement and related legal services. It is not a scam in the sense of taking your money and vanishing. It has real attorneys, real offices, and thousands of reviews.
But legitimate is the floor, not the ceiling. A company can be a real, licensed firm and still cost more than it should, or deliver less than the marketing implies. With Turnbull, the things worth knowing are the fee level, who actually handles your case day to day, and a few open questions that regulators are now looking into. That is what this review walks through.
What Is Turnbull Law Group?
Turnbull Law Group is a law firm that offers debt negotiation, also called debt settlement, mainly for unsecured debts like credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans. The usual minimum to enroll is around $12,000 in debt. Because it is a law firm, it also offers things a plain settlement company cannot, like bankruptcy filing, defense if a creditor sues you, and help with abusive collection practices.
That legal angle is the main selling point, the idea that having a law firm behind your debt negotiation gives you more protection. For some people that is real value. The question is whether the day-to-day experience actually delivers it, and at what cost.
| Turnbull Law Group | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Type | Debt settlement law firm (Illinois) |
| Services | Debt negotiation, bankruptcy, creditor defense |
| Minimum debt | About $12,000 |
| Fees | Around 28% of enrolled debt, charged after settlement |
| Program length | About 24 to 48 months |
| Who answers calls | Often Freedom Debt Relief staff, not an attorney |
| Watch for | BBB flag on fee disclosure; state AG review of fees |
How the Program Works
The mechanics are the same as most debt settlement programs:
- You start with a consultation to review your debts and finances.
- Instead of paying your creditors, you make monthly deposits into a dedicated account you control.
- As that account builds, Turnbull negotiates with your creditors to settle for less than the full balance.
- Settlements happen one at a time, and the full program usually runs 24 to 48 months.
The trade-offs are the same as any settlement program too. You stop paying creditors, so your credit takes a hit and accounts can go to collections while you wait. That is true of settlement generally, not unique to Turnbull, but you should go in expecting it.
Fees, the Part to Read Closely
This is where you need to slow down. Turnbull's fee runs around 28% of your enrolled debt, which is on the higher end for the industry. On the timing, the firm says it follows the rules: it does not collect a fee until a settlement is negotiated, you approve it, and the first payment goes to the creditor. That part is consistent with federal law.
The problem people run into is the size of the fee relative to what they save. In one documented case, a consumer paid about $7,700 into the program, and roughly $6,600 of that went to Turnbull's fees rather than to creditors. When the fee eats most of your early payments, it can feel like you are paying the firm more than you are paying down your debt. A state attorney general has an open review of Turnbull's fee practices as of early 2026. That is a review, not a finding, but it is worth knowing.
Do You Actually Get an Attorney?
This is the detail that surprises people most. Turnbull markets itself as a law firm, and the lawyer involvement is the reason many clients choose it over a regular settlement company. But in practice, when you call Turnbull, the phone is frequently answered by employees of Freedom Debt Relief, a large debt settlement company that Turnbull describes as a third-party provider handling administrative functions.
Several clients have reported speaking with their assigned attorney only once, during the initial intake call. So if the main reason you are considering Turnbull is hands-on attorney representation throughout, ask exactly how much attorney contact you will actually get, because the answer may be less than the branding suggests.
Ratings, Complaints, and the BBB Alert
The star ratings look decent on the surface, BBB customer reviews around 4.6, Google near 4.2, Trustpilot around 4.4. Plenty of clients report real settlements and helpful staff, and those experiences are genuine.
But two things stand out on the critical side. First, the BBB notes that when it asked Turnbull for fee disclosures and written agreements, the firm declined to provide them, and as a result the BBB says it cannot offer confidence in the company's business practices. That is a meaningful transparency flag. Second, there is a recurring complaint pattern about billing, including clients whose accounts were still debited after they canceled or completed the program, leading to overdrafts. None of this means the firm is illegitimate, but it tells you to get everything in writing and watch your account closely.
Pros and Cons
- Real, licensed law firm
- Can offer legal services a plain settlement company cannot
- Many positive reviews and real settlements
- Fees charged after settlements, not upfront
- Fees around 28%, on the high end
- Calls often handled by Freedom Debt Relief, not an attorney
- Some clients report minimal attorney contact
- BBB flag over undisclosed fee terms
- Billing complaints after cancellation or graduation
- State attorney general reviewing its fees
What to Ask Before You Sign
If you are considering Turnbull, get clear answers to these first:
- What is the exact fee, as a percentage and in dollars? Get it in writing, and ask what you pay even if a settlement falls through.
- Who will actually handle my case? How much attorney contact do I get, versus administrative staff?
- What happens to my credit, and for how long? Understand the dip and the collections risk during the program.
- What are my cancellation rights? Given the billing complaints, know exactly how to stop payments and confirm in writing when you do.
- How does this compare to other options? A consolidation loan, a different settlement program, or credit counseling may fit better.
The smartest move with any debt settlement firm is to compare options and fees before you sign, because a few percentage points on a large balance adds up fast. You can learn how a debt settlement program works, compare your debt relief options, or read about debt negotiation first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Turnbull Law Group legit?
How much does Turnbull Law Group charge?
Do you actually work with a lawyer at Turnbull Law Group?
Is Turnbull Law Group being investigated?
Will Turnbull Law Group hurt my credit?
What are the alternatives to Turnbull Law Group?
Disclosure: CuraDebt is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Turnbull Law Group or Freedom Debt Relief, and all trademarks belong to their respective owners. This page reflects our own research and opinions for informational purposes and is not a statement of fact about Turnbull Law Group's business. Regulatory reviews described here are ongoing and are not findings of wrongdoing. CuraDebt operates a matching service and is paid when we connect consumers with independent partner firms, so we have a financial interest in you requesting a free consultation. Always do your own research before choosing any provider.