Help me to not lose custody of my daughter

It is with a heavy heart and much anxiety that I create this gofundme. As many of you know, my dream of becoming a mother finally came to fruition last year. Everleigh Rose was born on Dec 23, 2022 in Galveston Tx. Shortly afterwards Everleigh, myself and her father returned to Alaska. There we tried to build a happy home, but unfortunately that did not happen. The arguing, the anxiety, the emotional and domestic abuse all became too much & I decided I had to find another way. I could no longer allow my sweet daughter to be encompassed by these things, nor put Everleigh's father's wants & needs ahead of my own & Everleigh's any longer. 

So I bought a plane ticket, packed our bags and away we flew back to Texas. To my forever home, to safety, to a place where I have emotional support and family. To try and prepare myself for the custody battle ahead of us. So yes, my family and friends, I am now in the midst of a custody battle. A battle that I feel like I am currently losing because I have been a stay at home mom since Everleigh was born and now don't have any money for an attorney. Meanwhile, Everleigh's grandfather has put down a $10,000 retainer with a lawyer to help Everleigh's father file for FULL custody of our daughter. I am absolutely terrified if I'm being honest. How could someone who said they loved me and Everleigh & whom witnessed me firsthand bloom into a beautiful mother threaten to take her from me and me from her? I'm absolutely heartbroken. So please, if you are reading this, please please help us. I found an attorney who wants a $3500 retainer and expects the case to reach $10,000, but also says it could easily go way above and beyond that. So please $5, $20, anything you can give will add up & help us tremendously. Also, I know gofundme is for donations, but I will happily pay you back if you would like. It will just take me some time, but I promise I will. I'm currently in the process of trying to find a job so I can provide for myself & Everleigh, but it's proving challenging because I don't have a car. For this reason, any funds that are raised will also be used to purchase a cheap, but safe & reliable car. Also, I'd be willing to make payments on a car if any of you have an extra car or know someone who does. 

Whew! Welp... I'm so sorry & embarrassed to ask this, but I don't know of another way. Thank you sooo very much! We love youu!