Legal fees to pursue guardianship
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"D" is a happy 4-year-old boy who has been in our care for over three years. We love him and he is part of our family. He is our son, brother, grandson, nephew, and friend. We love all the joy, humor, and energy he brings to our family. In July 2019, we found out the court system is sending D back to live with a biological family member who is unsafe and has a long history of hurting children, including D himself. This decision is simply a default decision by the court system; the state, the social service agency, and D's public attorney agree that reunification of D with his biological family is not in his best interest. In addition to our fears over D's safety, the family member has vowed to never let D see us or our extended family, which will lead to additional emotional trauma.
Currently, in anticipation of D living in a dangerous situation, we are working on empowering him to disclose abuse and helping him overcome his extreme shyness so that he may find the courage to speak up when someone hurts him. His social services team has been in contact with us, seeking insight on what warning signs to look for in his personality that might give clues of trauma or abuse. We have been told that it is almost a certainty that he will be abused, neglected, removed from his family member again, and returned to our care. This is unacceptable. We refuse to sit and wait for him to suffer more before he is in a home that offers the permanent safety and security that every child deserves. This is not about keeping our family intact; this is about protecting a child.
What can we do? We continue to pray for D and his safety. We greatly appreciate all who pray for him on a regular basis. In seeking advice from family and close friends, we are deciding to seek legal counsel to pursue legal guardianship. What does this mean for D? If granted, guardianship would allow D to have contact with both us and his biological family, while also providing accountability to members of D's biological family, as we would retain primary custody.
How can you provide support?
- Pray for D and his continued safety
- Financial support. At this time, our family is down to one income so Jess can stay home with all the children. Legal fees are expensive. This page is to help raise money to pay for the attorney fees while we pursue guardianship (both the legal retainer and additional legal fees)
Thanks in advance for your prayers, love, support, and advice!
*Please note that while a guardianship is in D's best interest, it is not a sure thing. Biological family members almost always have a significant leg up in these cases. Despite hiring who we believe is a very experienced attorney, winning this case is, in several ways, a long shot. But we have to try. Thank you for standing with us
Currently, in anticipation of D living in a dangerous situation, we are working on empowering him to disclose abuse and helping him overcome his extreme shyness so that he may find the courage to speak up when someone hurts him. His social services team has been in contact with us, seeking insight on what warning signs to look for in his personality that might give clues of trauma or abuse. We have been told that it is almost a certainty that he will be abused, neglected, removed from his family member again, and returned to our care. This is unacceptable. We refuse to sit and wait for him to suffer more before he is in a home that offers the permanent safety and security that every child deserves. This is not about keeping our family intact; this is about protecting a child.
What can we do? We continue to pray for D and his safety. We greatly appreciate all who pray for him on a regular basis. In seeking advice from family and close friends, we are deciding to seek legal counsel to pursue legal guardianship. What does this mean for D? If granted, guardianship would allow D to have contact with both us and his biological family, while also providing accountability to members of D's biological family, as we would retain primary custody.
How can you provide support?
- Pray for D and his continued safety
- Financial support. At this time, our family is down to one income so Jess can stay home with all the children. Legal fees are expensive. This page is to help raise money to pay for the attorney fees while we pursue guardianship (both the legal retainer and additional legal fees)
Thanks in advance for your prayers, love, support, and advice!
*Please note that while a guardianship is in D's best interest, it is not a sure thing. Biological family members almost always have a significant leg up in these cases. Despite hiring who we believe is a very experienced attorney, winning this case is, in several ways, a long shot. But we have to try. Thank you for standing with us
Organisateur
Zach Bruns
Organisateur
Milwaukee, WI