A Father's Fight: Please Help with Legal Costs
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**UPDATE**
On Saturday, March 15th, 2025, my brother was reunited with his son for the first time in months. This was an emotional and overwhelming moment for him, as he had not been able to see his child, who turned two in December of 2024. The time apart has been excruciating for both father and son, but now, thanks to the ongoing legal process, they can finally be together again.
The journey to this reunion has been long and challenging. My brother has been navigating a tough and costly legal battle in order to secure his parental rights and gain the opportunity to be a part of his son's life.
The legal fees associated with this process have been substantial, and we have relied heavily on the support of our friends, family, and generous donors like you.
Every contribution—whether large or small—has made a significant difference and brought us closer to this moment.
We are so grateful for the generosity of everyone who has already contributed, shared this campaign, and offered words of encouragement.
With your continued support, we believe Phanna and King will soon have the permanent and loving reunion they both deserve.
Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts. Your help is making a difference in this journey.
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As of 3/13/2025, yesterday marked a turning point in my brother Phanna’s long and painful journey to reunite with his son, King. It has been over 10 difficult, heart-wrenching months since Phanna has been able to see his son.
As his sister, I’ve witnessed firsthand the emotional toll this fight has taken on him. At times, Phanna has struggled with depression and felt like he was losing everything: his son, his future, and his sense of hope. But through it all, he never gave up.
FINALLY!!!! We received the news we’ve all been desperately praying for. After months of enduring the most challenging and painful legal battles, the judge ruled that all the false allegations against Phanna were dropped due to a complete lack of evidence and any credible proof to support the claims.
This decision marks a massive victory for Phanna, and it feels like we’re finally seeing a glimmer of hope after such a long and exhausting fight.
The judge also ordered mediation in May, and we have a hearing scheduled for June to address the adjudication of parentage, custody, and visitation. These upcoming steps are essential in securing the future that Phanna and King deserve, and we are committed to doing everything necessary to make sure that Phanna and King will be reunited permanently.
In the meantime, Phanna has been granted joint custody and will be picking King up this Saturday. After months of waiting, the day he’s been dreaming of is finally here. Phanna will be reunited with his son, and we are filled with joy and gratitude. But this milestone comes with its own financial challenges that we are struggling to overcome.
The legal fees associated with this battle have been a heavy burden.
Attached is an invoice from Phanna’s attorney detailing the remaining fees that must be paid. I’m reaching out because we cannot do this alone.
I want to be candid and let you know how emotionally and financially draining this process has been. The constant court hearings, the fear of losing his son, and the mounting legal fees have taken everything out of Phanna. It’s been exhausting for all of us, and while we are so close, we desperately need help with these remaining attorney costs.
Phanna’s been fighting so hard, and now more than ever, he needs your support to ensure the final steps are completed.
Please consider contributing to help cover these critical attorney fees if you can.
Every dollar you donate will go directly toward helping Phanna continue this fight through mediation and the upcoming adjudication of parentage, custody, and visitation to secure equal custody permanently and ensure that King is home with him once and for all.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us so far, and your generosity will make a tremendous impact on the future of Phanna and King.
Thank you so much for your continued love and support during this crucial time. We couldn’t have done this without you, and we are filled with so much hope, knowing that Phanna and King will finally be reunited.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Sombo Chet (Phanna’s Sister)
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Dear Friends and Family,
My name is Sombo Chet, and I’m setting up this GoFundMe to support my brother Phanna Chet during one of the most challenging times of his life.
He is currently in the middle of a custody case to regain full access to his son, King. While the legal process continues, the court has granted him the opportunity for supervised visits—a critical first step in rebuilding their bond. These visits are not just a chance for my brother to see King, but also an essential part of demonstrating his commitment and love as a father in the eyes of the court.
Over the past seven months, I’ve witnessed his heartbreak and resilience as he fights to reunite with his son, King.
As a sister, I’ve always known him to be a loving, dedicated, and determined father. His bond with King is undeniable, and being unable to see his son has devastated him.
What makes this even more heartbreaking is that my brother has no criminal record and is a law-abiding citizen. He has always worked hard to do what’s right and provide for his family. His love for King is unwavering, and he is determined to be a positive and present force in his son’s life.
Now, with the opportunity for professionally supervised visits, he can reconnect with King. However, the financial burden is overwhelming.
In Phanna’s words:
The past seven months have been the hardest of my life. Not being able to see my son, King, has been a heartbreak beyond words. Last week, however, brought a glimmer of hope: the judge granted me permission for supervised visits with King—three times a week for up to three hours per visit. This is my chance to finally hold my son again, to see his smile, and to remind him how deeply he is loved.
But this opportunity comes at a cost that I cannot bear alone. The visits must take place at a professional facility in Contra Costa County, and the fees are $105 per hour, with a two-hour minimum per visit. That means $210 for just one visit. My dream is to see King at least twice a week before my trial date on February 13th-14th, 2025. To make that happen, I need $420 per week for the next eight weeks, totaling $3,360.
I am already stretched thin with legal fees and the costs of everyday living. Asking for help is not easy for me, but I am reaching out to you—my community, my village—because my son’s future and our bond depend on it.
King’s second birthday is on December 31st, and my greatest wish is to celebrate it with him, to hold him close and tell him that no matter what, I will never stop fighting for him.
Holidays are a time for family, love, and togetherness. While I know this season can be financially challenging for many, even the smallest contribution would mean the world to me and bring me one step closer to being reunited with my son.
If you can support me, please send me a message anytime, day or night. No amount is too small—every dollar brings me closer to holding King in my arms again.
From the depths of my heart, thank you for your kindness, generosity, and love. Your support means everything to me.
Wishing you all a joyful holiday season,
For those who would like to contribute directly, we also have the following options available:
Zelle: Message me for info.
Venmo: @SomboChet
CashApp: $SomboChet
Every contribution, no matter how big or small, brings my brother one step closer to reuniting with his son. Your generosity means the world to us.
Organizer
Sombo Chet
Organizer
Stockton, CA