Hi, my name is Jess and I am trying to raise funds to help my parents. Recently, my baby brother passed away leaving 3 young children behind. My parents are currently going to court to be granted guardianship of my niece and nephews to help keep them in a safe home. The alternative at this point is not safe. In doing this, we have had to pay all legal costs, buy the kids essentials such as beds, clothing, and other supplies, and figure out how to plan/pay for an unexpected death in the family. We are also trying to work through the kids' and our grief during all of this which has been so extraordinarily complicated. These babies are so sweet, intelligent, and loving and have been through so much in their short lives prior to this.

Now we find ourselves in litigation while trying to figure out how to make this all work. Also, when my parents bought their tiny 2 bedroom home, they didn't have the intentions of raising 3 more little ones in it.

Now, while dealing with the grief of losing a son, father, and brother we also HAVE to fight a legal battle for guardianship. As the petitioners we are required to pay Guardian at Litem fees for as long as this goes on ($1600 retainer + $150/hr) If we wish to have an attorney represent us, we have to pay for that as well ($4000-7500 retainer + $400/hr). Their mother, on the other hand, gets to have an attorney free of charge while we represent ourselves, which feels unfair.

We will be using the funds raised to apply to the retainer fees for both the GAL and attorney as well as help my parents with assistance on the supplies they might need to help build another room onto the house for the kids.

When all is said and done, we only want to be able to make sure they are safe and that they cannot be drug through the mud again.

My parents have devoted their lives to helping raise other people's kids when they were unable. They have never turned away a hungry kid. Over the years there have been a number of kids who needed a loving place to hang their hats while their own parents weren't able to be the parents these kids needed, and my parents never blinked an eye, even when they had nothing themselves. They did this without ever asking for help. My parents are the ones who need help now, and I am hoping I can get them a tiny bit of relief in all this.

We are trying to put an end to this cycle so that these kids have the best chance at life.