Hi, my name is Stephanie. I am a single mom to two amazing kids. I work full time and between paying for daycare, inflated rent costs and normal bills, I am barely breaking even every month. Our needs are covered and I know that we are extremely fortunate especially in this time of a pandemic.

I am in the middle of a long drawn out divorce that I am trying to get settled. During the beginning of this process I was able to work full time from home and could mostly cover the attorney bills as they were just for smaller communications and minor legal work. Unfortunately my employment has required me to start coming into the office now that things are opening back up so I am paying for 2 children to be in daycare on top of the regular bills. The money that was able to go towards attorney bills is going toward daycare and I’m lucky if I have any money left over most months. Now that we’re hopefully getting closer to settling and more legal work is being done I’ve just received a $950 bill that I cannot pay. In the coming weeks I have a settlement conference that will last most of the day and is estimated to cost me close to $3000. Other bills are to follow. My ex is also trying to stick me with $11,000 of debt, which according to California law, should be split as community debt. Based on the legal costs so far, it’s plausible that it may be a smarter move to accept the $11,000 in debt versus paying that and more to go to trial. This is a case with no belongings. No house. No savings. No retirement. No inheritance. Nothing of value that should make our case go to trial, but that is the direction it’s being taken.

My apartment is small with basic belongings. I do not have anything to sell to acquire this kind of money. I cannot sell my car or I will not be able to go to work, take my daughter to school or care for them. I do not pay for unnecessary subscriptions. No Netflix or Disney or entertainment subscriptions. I am doing my very best to live within our means, but these attorney bills are not within my means.

I am stressed, feeling hopeless and desperate for a miracle. I hope and pray that anyone that has the means can find it in their heart to donate to help me.

Thank you all and may your lives be blessed❤️