HELP DOUG KEEP HIS DAUGHTER IN MASSACHUSETTS

Hi. Some of you who have known me for a long time, know that I went through an extremely tough divorce about 12 years ago. It was mostly over physical custody of my kids and keeping them in Massachusetts. On the very day the trial was to begin, the case was “settled.” That legal process cost me about $100,000 – maybe more. My parents had to take out a second mortgage on their home to help me pay most of it. It was the worst time of my life.

Thankfully, my kids have now been in Massachusetts since that time, for a total of about 15 years. My oldest is now in college and my youngest is now in 7th grade. They are both the most wonderful, amazing children one could ask for. I have been heavily involved in both my children’s lives.

Without going into very specific details, my ex now wants to move to her home state of Oklahoma and wants my youngest daughter to come with her. I can’t get specifics but there are MANY reasons why this is a very bad idea. One of them might include her overall wellbeing. Another is that my oldest child is part of the LGBTQ+ community. Oklahoma is among the least tolerant states for this community in the country. I believe they have the most pending anti-LBGTQ+ laws of any state in the U.S. My oldest child also feels it wouldn't be a good idea for my youngest to move down there permanently.

My friends, I ask you to trust me as to the many, many additional reasons we feel this way. They are a lot more worrying to me than the overall demographics of the state.

As mentioned above, the first trial cost me about $100,000. I am not at all in the financial position to afford this. Unfortunately, I am not in the financial position to afford any legal battle. Some of my possible expenses include: attorney fees, possible fees for other court appointed people, loss of work time with time I have to spend on this both literally and in just having this on my mind and having to support my oldest child.

To say I am embarrassed to ask for help would be a very big understatement. But here I am. As I know you all would, I have to try and do what I feel is best and safest for my kids.

I do not really know what to put for a "goal." Really anything will help. But knowing what my expenses could be, I just put that number. It could be an underestimate. If it ends up below that, that's fine. If it ends up more, that's great. Either way I thank you! So, with all that being said, I’m asking for any contribution you could spare to help me in this time of struggle. Anything at all will help. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the consideration.

I would ask for legal reasons to please keep any comments on here short and positive. If you need to reach me, please send me a private message. Or if you have any questions.

Thank you again so much.

Keep movin’,

Doug