Aaron's Custody Costs

Making Sure Our Son Has Both Parents

My name is Aaron, and I’ve been working hard to make sure my son Gavin has both his mother and myself in his life as much as possible.  To do that, it has taken multiple trips to court and all of my resources.   I am now asking for help to fund a custody hearing, which I would file as soon as I have sufficient funds. I have been there for Gavin since he fit into a sonogram 9 years ago, but after his mother’s and my romantic relationship did not work out, Gavin and I were only able to have time together through court orders.  We have been to court multiple times already, including once for contempt on his mother’s part.

Living Thousands of Miles Apart for Years

On top of the legal expenses, Gavin’s mother moved to California for five years, and Gavin was too young to fly unaccompanied for most of that.  In order to stay in Gavin’s life, I was paying for three round trip tickets per trip to accompany him cross-country back to Maryland, or sometimes paying for a ticket, a week in a hotel, and car rentals to stay with him for short periods in California.  This was in addition to paying full child support, and for all the normal stuff a kid needs at my house- clothes, education, entertainment, furniture, and food during the times he was with me. I also needed to pay for day camp/babysitters during the periods where I didn’t have the leave to stay home during the day.  And like most other children, he just keeps eating and outgrowing clothes.

Where the numbers came from and Why I'm Asking Now

Gavin and his mom just moved back to the DC metro area, for which I am extremely grateful.  However, his mother now wants Gavin and myself to have less time together than we had while they were living in California.  I am seeking joint physical custody, which is what I sought when we first went to court over custody.  As I mentioned, we have also been to court over his mother taking weekends without permission, and another custody hearing when she moved to California.  Lawyers don’t come cheap anywhere, but especially not in this area, and three different lawyers estimated $10,000 to $15,000 for a custody case.  I deployed to a war zone (as a civilian) to pay for the first two hearings and borrowed from friends and my retirement to pay for the third.  I’ll represent myself for this one if I have to, but first I’m gonna try asking you, whoever you are.   Either way I appreciate you taking the time to read this, because I know how many worthy causes there out there that need money.


Thanks,

Aaron