I have started this Go Fund Me to benefit my friend Andrea and her children. It wasn't easy breaking away from an abusive and controlling situation. Without assistance from the father and living far from her own family she worked three jobs to provide for their children. Her husband began a crusade to ruin her financially by manipulating the legal system and multiple appearance postponements. 

The only attorney she could afford ended up leaving the practice abruptly due to personal issues, resulting in more time and money lost. Her husband only began to call the children (after nothing for 18 months) after she agreed to relinquish her only vehicle to him (who does that, leaving your children with no transportation?) With her previous lawyer too ill to practice she hired another Attorney (FYI, even a bad attorney is not cheap)

An interim hearing was set to determine visitation, the Judge set a 3pm time limit from the beginning. The husbands Attorney (a criminal lawyer) dragged their time on the stand so that testimony was never heard from the majority of Andrea’s witnesses including the person assigned to supervise his visits with the children. A month later comes the divorce which had been scheduled as a three day trial. She had seven witnesses (including members of her ex-husband's own family)while her ex-husband brought only his girlfriend. The Judge says he doesn’t want a lengthy trial and instructs the attorneys to go into negotiations with their client and bring him back something he can sign by the end of the day. (So no trial, no witnesses heard from) This after 2 1/2 years of hardship and living an emotional roller coaster. So much money spent on legal fees, time missed from work, and trying to balance raising children well without assistance from the father until just before they were due in court (how convenient). 

Andrea was not only abused by her ex, but failed by the “justice” system that she sought help from. Forced into negotiations, she agreed to absorb half of the debt accrued by her ex-husband and he instantly agreed to seek less time with the children. She now only has until September 1, 2024 to pay him out the $50,000 or their home will have to be sold immediately. The remaining equity is not enough to buy a home and with the housing market crisis as it is in Maine there is no certainty where she will be able to afford. The disruption to the children has already been so much that leaving their home, their school and their community would be devastating. 

Please if you can find it in your heart to donate something, if you have ever been abused, know someone who has, or can in anyway identify with her story or just want to help out please do. It’s not right what has happened to her, she won’t ask for help, but she really needs it. 

Thank you. 

If you cannot donate please share and say a prayer for them.