Emergency Attorney Fund

Hi, if you’re reading this then you probably already know me and you probably already know my story. In short, while my husband (Daniel) and I were separated last year I started a relationship with someone who had become a friend but who I didn’t know very well. I was in a lot of pain and coming out of a season that had left me broken and exhausted. 

This relationship provided a sense of relief and support but was ultimately a horrible decision and one of the biggest regrets of my life. The mercy and grace of God reached through that dark time of my life and handed me the most precious gift in my son Finley. While in the beginning Finn’s dad wanted me to terminate the pregnancy and subsequently agreed to sign his rights over, he changed his mind about halfway through my pregnancy. 

When he finally learned that our relationship would be limited to co parenting alone he began to fight me aggressively on time with Finn, making outlandish accusations about Finn’s safety in my home and has hired an attorney with the intention of pursuing custodial guardianship and taking Finn out of my home. 

While I’ve been reassured by many this won’t happen, we will unfortunately most likely end up in court. As he has already hired an attorney I am now forced into the position of needing my own legal representation. Money has grown tight recently. I work full-time but Finn is 1 of 5 children and things have added up. Child support/reimbursement for Finn’s medical expenses will help to relieve some of this burden but unfortunately I need an attorney to secure that support. I have met with a family attorney and discussed a plan to put a custody order into place but her retainer is $3500.00 and I have to keep $1000.00 in that account at all times. Depending on whether or not Finn’s dad and his attorney cooperate those funds can go quickly.

My plan was to coparent amicably while saving for this amount and then secure a custody order when I was able to afford the fees. This isn’t an option anymore as Finn’s dad is no longer cooperating amicably and Finn and the rest of my family need the protection of a custody order so that Finn can stay in my home and his dad is no longer able to make threats or accusations or make things more difficult than they have to be. 

This is a very humbling position to be in and I’m grateful you even took the time to read this! If you feel led to contribute in any way please know that I was planning to save up for these costs anyway and will reimburse as soon as I am able to. Time is of the essence now and the sooner I can hire an attorney the sooner we can begin the work of establishing the custody order.

Either way please pray that I will be able to hire the attorney soon, that Finn’s dad will think about what’s best for Finn and put that above his own hurt, wants, etc., that we can settle the custody order with mediation outside of court (court will take a lot longer and cost a lot more), and for peace for myself and my family while we’re going through this. The last few years have been very difficult for our family but this is the hardest and scariest thing I’ve ever been through. Finn’s dad records and documents everything so I have to be able to stay calm and not engage even when he makes threats or outlandish accusations. That is very difficult. 

Some days I have to remind myself to breathe moment by moment. There is an old hymn “I Need Thee Every Hour” that has never felt more relevant. I am grateful for a list of family and friends I can send this to, even though it’s hard. I am grateful that I am can come to Him, no matter the circumstance or my failures or what I’ve done to put myself in this position. I have never needed Him more and also never felt His compassion like I have this past year. Love you all.