Hi, my name is Rachel, and I am seeking help to pay for attorney's fees. I am currently trying to fight for the right to be in my son’s life. I filed a petition for de facto parentage last year, and I have been going through this battle for almost a year now. I have gone through being completely cut off to gaining visitation again through the courts. Some of you know me, some of you don’t. For those of you that don’t and don’t know the situation, here’s the story.

Just over 7 years ago, I was with someone who asked me to be a part of their life when they were expecting a child and asked me to step up as a parent. I did, and we were together until right before our son turned 3.

After we split, we still worked together to have an excellent co-parenting relationship and worked together to be the type of parents that could still be there for our child together. We were not only co-parents, but we still managed to be friends despite our romantic relationship not working out. That was until my co-parent found herself in another relationship with a man who did not like the fact I was still in the picture. During her new relationship, my co-parent decided to relocate an hour away, and my time with my son became less and less until ultimately I was completely cut off. Cut to the lawyers and courts, I have made it to the point where the court has awarded me a temporary parenting plan, and I have been able to be back in my son’s life. I’m normally not the type to ask for help, but I’m afraid that I will not be able to continue to fight for my son without the help of a lawyer, and I am out of options at this point because I already have taken out $20,000 in loans and credit cards to pay for the lawyer this far. I don’t want money to be the reason I lose my son and he loses me. If you have anything at all you can spare to help me with this journey, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank your for taking the time to read my story.