Levi's Custody Battle
Donation protected
I'm asking for help obtaining the money for a retainer for an attorney to assist me in my custody battle for my son, Levi.
The Story
My ex-wife and I decided to get a divorce on peaceful terms about a year ago. We held off on filing for a while and continued living together as roommates so I could see my son until she got a stable job and could afford living on her own. In December of 2019, she flew back to Washington to live with her parents until May, when she would be moving back to Hawaii.
I was deployed and I finally got the chance to see my son again in March of 2019, when I was on a port call in Washington. The last day in town, my ex-wife told me that she wanted to get sole custody of our son and refused to let me see him again because she didn't want me popping in and out of his life, something I currently have no control over as a member of the US Navy Submarine Force. She blocked my number, social media, and had all her family do the same so I couldn't even see pictures of my son.
Shortly after going back underway, she flew back to Hawaii and got into my house using a spare key that she was supposed to return. I found out on my birthday that she had filed a case against me for child endangerment, making up scenarios that never happened in an attempt to ruin my reputation and career. Upon pulling back into Hawaii, I discovered that she had still been living in my house and filed a restraining order against me so I could not even return to my own home after being at sea for months. I battled the restraining order in court without legal counsel and won. When I finally got back into my house, I found that nearly all of my things were missing. She took my TV, bed, clothes, uniforms, furniture, cookware, and even the away all the food in my house so I would have nothing.
She told me that she flew back out to Washington, but I have evidence to believe that she lied to myself and the police and is still living on the island. I filed a restraining order against her to prevent her from harassing me and vandalizing my home, as well as a police report for theft/vandalism.
I'm slowly starting to rebuild what I had from the ground up, but I'm having trouble coming up with the retainer that the lawyer needs to take my case. I would like to fight for sole custody of Levi or at the very least full primary custody, but know it can be hard for Active Duty servicemembers to get custody. I've had numerous consultations with various attorneys offices and legal assistance programs and found a lawyer with legal expertise that can help me through this difficult journey.
Thank you all for your time and any help you can provide. Any donation helps, and shares are greatly appreciated! Hopefully this brings me one step closer to being able to be in my son's life!
The Story
My ex-wife and I decided to get a divorce on peaceful terms about a year ago. We held off on filing for a while and continued living together as roommates so I could see my son until she got a stable job and could afford living on her own. In December of 2019, she flew back to Washington to live with her parents until May, when she would be moving back to Hawaii.
I was deployed and I finally got the chance to see my son again in March of 2019, when I was on a port call in Washington. The last day in town, my ex-wife told me that she wanted to get sole custody of our son and refused to let me see him again because she didn't want me popping in and out of his life, something I currently have no control over as a member of the US Navy Submarine Force. She blocked my number, social media, and had all her family do the same so I couldn't even see pictures of my son.
Shortly after going back underway, she flew back to Hawaii and got into my house using a spare key that she was supposed to return. I found out on my birthday that she had filed a case against me for child endangerment, making up scenarios that never happened in an attempt to ruin my reputation and career. Upon pulling back into Hawaii, I discovered that she had still been living in my house and filed a restraining order against me so I could not even return to my own home after being at sea for months. I battled the restraining order in court without legal counsel and won. When I finally got back into my house, I found that nearly all of my things were missing. She took my TV, bed, clothes, uniforms, furniture, cookware, and even the away all the food in my house so I would have nothing.
She told me that she flew back out to Washington, but I have evidence to believe that she lied to myself and the police and is still living on the island. I filed a restraining order against her to prevent her from harassing me and vandalizing my home, as well as a police report for theft/vandalism.
I'm slowly starting to rebuild what I had from the ground up, but I'm having trouble coming up with the retainer that the lawyer needs to take my case. I would like to fight for sole custody of Levi or at the very least full primary custody, but know it can be hard for Active Duty servicemembers to get custody. I've had numerous consultations with various attorneys offices and legal assistance programs and found a lawyer with legal expertise that can help me through this difficult journey.
Thank you all for your time and any help you can provide. Any donation helps, and shares are greatly appreciated! Hopefully this brings me one step closer to being able to be in my son's life!
Organizer
Ryan Pastorella
Organizer
Honolulu, HI
