Support a Father Fighting for Stability

________________________________________

Introduction

My name is Aaron Turner, and I am the father of my four-year-old son, Tayis. My greatest goal is to provide him with a safe, stable, and loving environment as he grows.

________________________________________

Why I’m Fundraising

For the past year, I have been in an ongoing custody and family law case. I began the process with a lawyer, but my funds were quickly depleted. For the last 10 months I have been self-representing. Now the final trial is approaching, and while I have done everything I can to manage on my own, I feel overwhelmed and disadvantaged without proper representation.

I do not qualify for Legal Aid, yet even with my second job, I simply cannot cover bills, provide for my children, and also afford the legal support this trial requires. Meanwhile, because the mother has not been working for the past two years, she has qualified for Legal Aid and has had professional representation throughout this entire process. This has left me at a major disadvantage.

________________________________________

What I Am Fighting For

I haven’t been ruthless or demanding throughout this process. All I have asked for is:

• That Tayis can attend school regularly

• Fair and equal parenting time, so he can spend meaningful time with me and his brothers

• An equitable say in the major decisions that affect his life

These are simple, reasonable goals — but reaching them requires legal support I can no longer afford on my own.

________________________________________

The Work I’ve Done So Far

Since self-representing, I have:

• Organized and prepared all of the required court documents

• Gathered and filed evidence

• Contacted and coordinated with professionals involved in Tayis’s care

• Managed every aspect of this case without outside help

I have done all the leg work I possibly can, but at this stage — with the trial looming — I need legal representation to ensure my son’s voice and best interests are fully protected.

________________________________________

Our Goal

I am raising $18,000 to cover the legal fees for representation at my upcoming six-day family trial. The full cost of trial preparation and court time could easily exceed $25,000, but because I have already handled much of the preparation myself — organizing documents, filing evidence, and coordinating with professionals — I am asking only for the amount required to ensure I have proper representation in court.

To remain fully transparent, I will post my lawyer’s invoices (with sensitive details removed) so donors can see exactly where the money is going. Any funds raised beyond the goal will be donated directly to a legal defense fund to help other parents in similar situations who are struggling to afford representation.

________________________________________

Why Your Help Matters

Your donation will go directly toward:

• Covering legal representation at the final trial

• Ensuring I can continue to provide a stable home for Tayis

• Allowing me to balance my financial obligations without sacrificing my children’s needs

Even a small contribution will help level the playing field so I can focus on what matters most: Tayis’s well-being.

________________________________________

Closing & Gratitude

Asking for help is not easy, but I know I can’t do this alone. Your support — whether through a donation or by sharing this fundraiser — makes a real difference. Together, you can help give my son the stability, safety, and fairness he deserves.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story.