Empower Shelly: Legal Aid and Living Support

Hi,

My name is Sydney, and I am starting this GoFundMe on behalf of my mom, Shelly. My mom and biological father wed back in 1997; they bought a home, and I came into the picture 2 years later. My biological father was the breadwinner while my mom gave up her career to raise me. After I was somewhat on my feet, my mom became a caretaker for my grandmother. My biological father is not the kindest man. I have witnessed years of abuse from him against my mom—physical, verbal, mental, and emotional—and I too am a victim of his abuse (not physical), but the other kinds apply. While they should have separated years ago, she was a homemaker for over 2 decades, and they did make the situation work for the time being.

In 2020, my biological father walked out and never came back. He did not communicate that he was leaving and it was permanent. He handled the household finances normally and never expressed anything different. We were also in the pandemic, and I lost my business, and my grandmother also passed away on top of him walking out. He was gone for 2 years and still caring for everything like he normally did. He was also staying in various hotels during this time and accrued debt.

In 2022, he filed for divorce. While their separation is needed, the way he has gone about the entire process is beyond cruel. My biological father is demanding that my mom repay him for everything that he has done for the family since their marriage; he is forcing her out of her home, he is trying to pin his debt on her, and he is villainizing her.

My mom had an attorney at the beginning of this divorce, and her attorney left the law firm without notifying my mom. My mom has been representing herself for the past year, and while she is doing an amazing job, his attorney is taking advantage of her lack of knowledge. My mom is currently working, maintaining her current lifestyle, and trying to act as her lawyer. While my mom looks fantastic for her age, she is a more mature woman who should not have to go through all of this at this point in her life.

This GoFundMe would contribute to her gaining an attorney so that she can have representation and make sure that this divorce is fair and just, and anything leftover from attorney fees will help cover her living expenses.

Thank you for reading the tip of the iceberg of this story. I thank you for your generosity in helping my mom gain her freedom and begin her healing journey and new life.