I need help with legal fees in my Domestic Violence and Custody Case. My most recent bill was $3,500. This fundraiser is currently set at $10,000 due to continued legal needs. These bills have been incurring quickly and there will be more in the near future. The full details are below.

Hey there. Many of you know the struggles that my children and I have been facing over the past 15 months. In May of 2024 my husband, who had been regularly abusive toward me, became violent toward our two children. Having no safe or stable place to remain in the immediate or the long term, we moved in with extremely generous friends in New Mexico, who provided us with a home, financial help and a community that allowed us to make connections at an excellent school where the children attended. I was also able to find a job at the school. Things felt positive and stable for a while. I had a career plan after being a stay at home mom for 7 years. The children made wonderful friends and were very happy at their new school.

I connected with a domestic violence center and was granted a protective order against my husband through New Mexico Legal Aid. While this was occurring, my husband filed for divorce and custody in the state of Minnesota. Because I was unable to afford counsel until January 2025, the case became much more complicated. Through the generosity of family, I was finally able to retain a lawyer, just in time for an important hearing. We had to work quickly to ensure we were prepared, as we only had two weeks. The cost was extremely high as a result. And my legal fees have since tripled from the amount that my lawyer estimated as a potential maximum through this entire process. Things did not progress as we’d hoped and this nightmare is far from over. The continued generosity of specific family members and some very dear friends, has allowed me to continue access to my lawyer, which is vital.

The reason I am making this go-fund-me, is that I no longer have a way to pay my lawyer. The generosity of those who have helped has been immeasurable and they have done what they are able to do. I have received my next bill and cannot continue to receive legal help until it is paid. The most recent bill was $3,403 and accrued over a period of 4 weeks. Work with my lawyer will continue regularly until this is all over, which is why I am ultimately asking for more and know that I will likely have to pay more than $10,000 before this is all eventually finished.

Part of the complications in this case stem from the differences in law between the state of New Mexico and Minnesota. A protective order in New Mexico may contain the name of a parent but the findings and ordered protections that pertain to the children will extend to them. In Minnesota, this is not the case. Their names would have needed to be on the order for the court in Minnesota to consider the finding of violence to extend to the children. New Mexico’s findings were mainly centered around evidence and testimony pertaining to the injuries sustained by my children. This legal discrepancy between states has created so much struggle and has ultimately resulted in our forced return to Minnesota.

This difference in law became the focal point of the Minnesota judge appointed to my case. She eventually ordered that we return to the state holding jurisdiction in our case, and that the children be returned to my husband. Stating that the language, in her eyes, did not prove violence toward my children in a Minnesotan court of law.

I have been very fortunate in my community. My friends and family have been so generous. After this year, I see community in a different light. I now find myself with dear friends in Minnesota who have not only offered a place to live, but offered to move into a larger apartment to make it possible to share space viably. An investigation is under way that allows a third party to observe and speak to the children in their separate homes with their separate parents. I have temporarily been given time with my children on the weekends. I’m so grateful. I’m hopeful. I’m also very scared.

As all of this continues, and the need for regular communication between lawyers is vital to seeing my children, I will continue to incur legal fees. There will be future hearings and mediation through the end of the year and likely beyond. Anything that can be given will help. And sharing to anyone and everyone is so important.

I can’t express what it feels like to need this level of support. But anyone who can give, including kind strangers, will potentially ensure I can spend time with my children and eventually help them back into an environment that they feel safe and loved. The first step is help with the legal fees. I wish I could handle it all, but I know I must ask for the help of others. After that, it’s up to me to keep building a new life that’s safe and stable for my children and myself. Thank you to anyone that can share or give.