Support Alex's Fight for Fair Custody

Help Me Stay in My Son’s Life – Legal Support for a Devoted Father

Hi, my name is Manuel (Alex). I'm a dedicated father and a full-time teacher trying to protect my relationship with my son. I never thought I’d be here asking for help—but I’m in a position where I can’t afford legal representation, and without it, I risk losing even more time with my child.

I’ve been there for my son since the day he was born. We’ve shared everything from sports and art to hikes, library visits, and long talks. I’ve supported his education, provided his health insurance, and worked hard to build a stable, loving home. I was deeply involved in his academic life, especially when he attended the school I work at. But things changed when he moved to a different city, which led to a shift in our parenting arrangement. This move happened without my involvement in the decision-making process, and without a formal parenting plan in place.

Since that move, I’ve only been able to see my son two weekends a month. The distance, combined with limited communication and constant back-and-forth, has made it difficult to stay as connected as I want to be. The change from seeing him every day to barely speaking with him has been heartbreaking. He’s my world, and all I want is the opportunity to be a more consistent presence in his life again.

I’ve made every effort to approach this situation with respect and understanding. We’ve attempted mediation twice, and the mediator agreed that a 50/50 custody arrangement would be fair and in our son’s best interest. Unfortunately, despite these efforts, his mother has chosen to pursue legal action, seeking to limit my time with him further and reduce my rights in areas like education and healthcare decisions.

I’m seeking:

• A legally binding parenting plan that ensures custody arrangements are equitable, consistent, and can only be modified through the appropriate legal channels.

• A plan to revisit custody arrangements once I live closer to my son's school.

• Equal parental rights in matters of education, healthcare, and major decision-making.

• Assurance that major decisions—such as relocation—cannot be made without my full participation and consent.

• A formal agreement for all communication and scheduling to occur via Our Family Wizard, a secure, court-recognized platform that ensures co-parenting communication is clear, respectful, and documented.

I’m asking for help to raise $15,000 to retain legal counsel—someone who can help me protect my rights and make sure my son has a strong, secure relationship with both parents. This isn’t about taking anything away from his mother—it’s about preserving the love, consistency, and connection my son and I have built over the years.

If you know me, you know how much I love my son. I’m not asking for extra time or special treatment—just a fair chance to be the father I’ve always been. If you can help in any way, I would be forever grateful.

Thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting me during this incredibly hard time.

—Manuel