NEED ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILY LAW CASE

This is a CALL TO ACTION.

I have been dragged into a family court case by the Father of my child. I’ve heard the stories and have tread very lightly when I shouldn’t have- to avoid a family court litigation. The facts are this: My child’s father has physically abused our daughter and continues to mentally abuse her. His wife (step mother) has played an active role in minimizing the significance of this and places blame on me for involving DCF.

 

We have a 50/50 Parenting Plan which the Father has deliberately violated time and time again. They have unilaterally removed my daughter from therapy. They refuse to allow my daughter privacy when she calls me while at her father’s home, requiring me to be on speaker while they monitor. I had no idea what my rights were. I’ve honestly been scared to rock the boat (yes, even after involving DCF) as they threatened to take full custody of my daughter stating I will never be able to afford an attorney. How is this possible you ask? Apparently all
it takes is money and a decent family law attorney for a parent to weaponize litigation. 

 

About me: I recently suffered a series of strokes. I am fully able to care for and provide a loving and beautiful home for my child, as I always have, however I am unable to work and rely on disability payments. Shortly before being served, my savings were spent on a new bedroom set for my daughter as she’s entering pre-teens and I thought a new room would make her happy. I do not qualify for a large enough loan based on my income. 

 

Things escalated this past month when I finally started standing up for myself and my 50% time with our daughter, simply referring to our Parenting Plan.
I was served a Petition for Modification a week later alleging that due to my “disability” I am unable to properly care for my child, continuing with paragraph after paragraph of false allegations. The father of my child hired an attorney and I cannot afford one. 

 

I have applied for legal aid and was denied because they don’t do modifications. I applied for legal help through disability and cannot get a response or a call back. I have contacted every law school in the state of Florida to see if they would take my case, and was told they either don’t do or aren’t offering law clinics for family law cases. The issues in this case are serious and I do not feel comfortable interpreting the law, rules and procedure enough to represent myself against an experienced Florida family law attorney. 

 

I have been in touch with numerous attorneys, all who have quoted me between a $10,000 and $15,000 retainer. There is one attorney who truly empathized with me and had a game plan ready to go. Unfortunately, she currently has 3 pro bono cases (apparently rare for private family law practices) and cannot offer free or reduced rate services at this time.

 

I heard the stories but I never thought it could actually happen. My child is at risk of being taken away from me based on nothing but false information. I am terrified that she will ensure further physical and mental abuse without me being able to see her. She has been through so much at the hands of her father.  I am and have always been a wonderful mother. I put myself through school earning a post grad degree to further better my daughter’s life. Unfortunately, a series of health issues has put me in a position at the worst possible moment.

 

I appreciate any help you may be able to provide. Please know that I was advised not to put me or my daughter’s picture on this page as the request for help and information contained herein can potentially be used against me in the pending case. I am available to answer any questions and can even provide the contact information for the attorney I plan to retain (in the event some of you would prefer to make donations directly to her firm).

 

Thank you for taking the time to read.

 

Michele