Legal Fees, Custody

I want to begin by saying that I am not the person to usually put my business out for the world to know, or even ask for help, especially financial help. But unfortunately that time has come...

With that being said I have come to a cross road and this may just be my only fighting chance at having a solid relationship with my daughter. 

In 2013 I met my daughter. She was about to turn 2, and she was quiet possibly the coolest kid I had ever met.

In 2014 I married her mom and began my responsibility of being her father. It was a role that I took on with absolute pride. Shortly after my ex and I were married, we began the process of a legal adoption. I knew in that moment I wanted to be her daddy forever, regardless, no mater what the future would hold I would always and forever be her legal father. When the judge granted the adoption I was filled with so much love, I would have never anticipated the future that would await me.

In 2018 my daughters mother and I divorced. Divorce is never an easy thing. No matter what the situation is, its a horrible experience for everyone to go through. Change is never easy. You go from having one life, to something completely different. It doesn't matter the why when it is all said and done. What matters is the outcome.

For me, I was met with unfortunate circumstances, especially when it came to my daughters future. Agreeing on a parenting plan with my ex was impossible. I would like to say we agreed to 50/50 and everything was sunshine and rainbows, but in our case there was little to no comprise. 

Due to the disagreements and the continuous fight for my rights as my daughters father, this past year has been very challenging for me. This past year I had to change jobs due to many court dates. I have lost my car due to the inability to afford it. I have had to take on extra work when I can, just to simply provide as much as I can, to support not only my daughter but my current family.  And the list goes on.....

So even though I pay court appointed child support, 50/50 medical and dental insurance, AND provide the necessary items within my house hold for my daughter, I am still asked for more....

I am still having to fight for equal rights and time with my daughter every day because her mother is consistently trying to take that away from me. No matter what I do, it is not enough.

I knew from day one of signing those adoption papers what my responsibilities were going to be as my daughters father, no matter the outcome.

One thing I never envisioned was a world where trying to fight for the right to have my daughter would be so hard. Boy was I wrong. It has been hard financially, emotionally, and mentally. 

Every day there is a new reason why I should not have time with her. Every day there is  a new plan set in motion. Every day I am being bombarded with lawyers fees. But, every day I am fighting. Every day I wake up with a purpose, and that purpose is time with my little girl. 

Recently I was told by my lawyer that he could no longer represent me moving forward, specifically at an upcoming court hearing on Friday, October 25, 2019, unless I am able to come up with a certain amount of money that has accrued within these past few months.

Although my lawyer believes I do deserve his help, he cant work for free...and he shouldn't have to. So if I am unable to pay him the amount he has requested and rightfully deserves, I will go in front of the judge alone with my exs lawyer and my daughters GAL to fight for the parenting time that my ex and I had originally agreed to almost a year ago. I fear without my lawyer representing me, my only hope is my daughters GAL. And my fear is that I will lose my world, my daughter, because I will not have proper representation. And yes, it seems impossible for me to come up with the money my lawyer is requesting on my own, but I have to at least try everything in my power to do so. So here I am....

My fight is not over. It will never be over until I am granted the equal rights I deserve. You see there is no reason for which I should not have equal parenting time.

I will do whatever it takes to make sure I have the time I deserve with my daughter. Which is why I am taking to this platform. I need help. I need support. I am a father looking to win a battle for his daughter.

I ask you now, I plead, if you would be willing to help me raise the fund necessary to help pay for my lawyer to continue representing me. It would mean everything to me and I would be forever grateful.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Even though this is not the whole story, and there is so much more I could include, I am not seeking pity. I am only seeking help to provide the services I need to ensure my daughter will not ever have to see that I didn't fight for her. 

I continue to pray that this will be the last time... The last court date... That I will finally be able to breath again and enjoy the upcoming holidays with my daughter, together as one, as a family. 

God Bless,

John L.