Upheval of life for autistic boy & struggling dad

This is difficult for me to write, as I'm usually the one offering help, not asking for it. But I find myself in a situation where I urgently need financial assistance to cover legal fees to fight for what is rightfully ours, particularly for the future of my 12-year-old autistic son.

To give you a bit of background, I've raised my son since he was just 7 weeks old. He's also my great-nephew, and I took him in to prevent him from becoming a ward of the state due to his developmental challenges. For the past 12 years, I've devoted myself to being his parent.

Recently, my 21-year relationship with my partner ended, forcing my son and me to leave our home to escape verbal and emotional abuse. Despite our long history together, my ex is now claiming sole ownership of the family home and denying any responsibility for our son. Unfortunately, because we never registered our relationship or officially married, the legal situation is complex.

I'm nearly 50, starting over with nothing but my son and a rented home. It breaks my heart to see him struggling to understand why his family has broken apart, but I assure him every day that he is deeply loved, no matter what.

I've engaged a family lawyer and provided them with all the necessary information, but I am not in a financial position to continue this legal battle on my own. After 21 years of shared life and 12 years of raising our son, I am fighting to secure what is legally and rightfully ours.

I'm devastated and doing my best to juggle bills while managing a mental health breakdown and long COVID, all while trying to keep life as normal as possible for my son. If you can help us financially to continue this fight, it would mean the world to us. In return, once a settlement is reached, I pledge to pay it forward by helping a charity or someone else in need.

Thank you for your kindness and support.