Help Frankie Come Home

Hi, my name is Tim. I'm the father (and cosplayer) in the picture that headlines this GoFundMe. The little Space Marine cosplayer in this image is my son Frankie, when he was almost four. Some of you have seen this pic, it went viral a few times on Reddit. I say that because some people will think I bogarted it from somewhere else. Anyway. There are a few other pics of Frankie and I cosplaying, there's even one from the DragonCon parade where we convinced his mother to cosplay with us.

 

A few years ago I split up with Frankie's mother. We were never married. I moved away for work, she stayed in the Atlanta area with our son. We agreed that she was better equipped and positioned to take care of him, at the time. I visited a lot, called a lot, still stayed active in his life. Frankie is now ten, soon to be eleven.

 

This past Friday his mother was killed in a really bad car wreck. I was never informed about the wreck until yesterday, five days after the fact, and only by a relative of mine who retained friendship with my ex. In the meantime, it's been hell for me trying to speak to my son or plan to visit. Since his mother and I were never married, the status of my 'rights' is allegedly in question and I am being challenged by his aunt, sister to the deceased mother. She wants guardianship of my son and I'm getting the impression this will turn into a battle.

 

Today I've learned that the process for me to regain full custody of my son, even though my name is on the birth certificate, is going to cost me in excess of $5k. I also have to relocate him across the state, get him into grief counseling, which my insurance isn't going to cover, and get him into a new school once I finally get him home. Nobody really expects a perfectly healthy person to suddenly die, and I am unfortunately caught completely unprepared right before the holidays. I've retained legal representation and she's advised me that the longer I wait, the longer my son lives with his aunt, the more difficult and costly it will be. I have to go through a process called legitimation, I have to file a lot of paperwork, and this is all predicated on how simple the "battle" will be.

 

Those of you who know me, and have witnessed all the joys I've shared of being the world's nerdiest Dad... or is that Daddiest nerd... will know how ridiculous it is for me to be challenged in this manner. For those of you who don't know me, that's okay. I'm a former game developer, a former comic industry guy, a big PC gamer (I founded the legendary Black Widow Company). I'm an Army veteran, father of two gamers, and a husband. I could talk your ear off about the dorkiest stuff on record. My son is a big part of my life, as is proper.

 

So I'm forced to go the route of the infamous GoFundMe to help me get through this legal battle before it turns into a bank account-draining ordeal. I ain't too proud to beg, as the song goes, because my son deserves to be with me. Your consideration or contribution would be greatly appreciated in helping me bring my son home, where he belongs. And in this economy, we all know it's tight for everyone--so even if you can't donate, I'd appreciate sharing.