Support Justice for My Sons

I am reaching out in hopes this story has a happy and equitable ending with your help. We are seeking to raise a total of $15,000 ($10,000 counsel fees + $5,000 printing & copies) for a seasoned attorney to help fairly represent our case in court and bring my family peace. I’m a young, college-educated, professional mother who fought my way out of an abusive marriage for the sake of my children. For 6 years we were happy, lucky and thriving members of the community. My sons were excelling in school and I was blessed to purchase our first home. Our peace was disrupted 4 years ago when my ex resurfaced, after being absent for over 6 years, and began to drag our family through the courts in a deeply disturbing custody battle. He secured financial backing in a relationship and has been exploiting every loophole in the system ever since to cause confusion, disorder, and ultimately disrupt our lives.  After each modification, I have been served with a new round of court papers, and new demands requiring more lawyers and higher legal fees. Over this, now 4-year battle, I’ve exhausted all of my financial means and my larger family continues to do all they can.  In the latest decision, the judge told me that he hoped I had learned my lesson as he stripped away my rights as a mother, gave “tie breaking” decision to my ex with 50% custody. This means that my sons, who have once lived in a stable, peaceful and happy home every day with their mother (primary caregiver) are now forced to change homes every 7 days.  My faith in my country's legal system is shattered.  I thought the courts were supposed to look for the best interest of the child? How can you look for the best interest of the child, without allowing the people who spend every day with the child to speak? I wasn’t allowed to present any of my evidence due to the judge's decision that my attorney's typographical error, was more important than learning about 10 years of my son's lives. Was it more important than hearing from the 25+ people in our side of the courtroom who came in support of My Sons when the Defendant had none? My sons were both excelling in school before this battle began. Since then, they have shown signs of anxiety and been through rounds of emotional, and medical struggles while continuing to persevere through this ongoing trauma.  My boys and I are strong, but we are only human, and we draw strength from the support of our family, friends, and community. The life I had built for myself and my sons is in transition and we will meet each hurdle with positivity and grace with your help.  My faith teaches me empathy and to be in service to others whenever possible. I believe I have a duty to my children, as their mother, to serve them in the best capacity that I can.  And while I am not the type of person to ask for handouts as I have worked very hard to get to where I am, however, due to the stress of this custody battle, I have lost many opportunities that would have lifted my family up and am now would appreciate your direct support. Thank you to everyone who offered their time reading transcripts, organizing emails, making photocopies, giving legal advice, drafting Motions, and of course financial donors who have helped us along the way.  You've helped uphold my belief that good will prevail. Please, give something to help us meet our goal, and whatever you can give is deeply appreciated and will be paid forward once we are back on our feet. We are accepting in-kind donations as well and are specifically looking for an attorney with experience fighting custody battles where contempt and parental absenteeism is a large factor to put this case to rest. May peace be with all of us this 2020.