Urgent Legal Help Needed for a Loving Mom

The past year and a half have been the most challenging time of my life. In January 2024, I was forced to leave my home due to a divorce involving domestic violence. With no family to turn to for support, I had to make the heartbreaking decision to allow my three oldest children to stay with their father to provide them with stability while I worked to rebuild my life. My youngest child and I had no choice but to couch-hop for months. During this time, I lost my long-term job at Maine Health, had to withdraw from college (where I was studying EMS), and was forced to give up my beloved animals.

Between February and June, my oldest daughter’s mental health rapidly deteriorated while living with her father. When she came home over the summer, I was there to pick up the pieces, prioritizing her well-being above everything else. Despite multiple hospital visits and medical professionals recommending inpatient care, her father refused. I devoted myself entirely to supporting her—navigating appointments, working with caseworkers, and collaborating with her school, which was incredibly supportive. Yet, throughout this process, I was continuously gaslit and told I was a terrible mother, with threats that I would lose custody of my children altogether.

In August, amid this turmoil, I received a birthday call from my father. Overwhelmed with stress, I broke down in tears during our conversation, unaware that it would be the last time I would ever speak to him. He passed away the following day.

As if things couldn’t get worse, in October, I totaled my vehicle after hitting a deer. Already out of work, I had no means to replace it until tax season. When I finally received my tax return in February 2025, it was only $2,000—far less than expected due to my limited income from childcare and odd jobs throughout the previous year. I faced an impossible decision: use the money to retain legal counsel or purchase a vehicle to meet my family’s immediate needs. I chose to buy a car.

That same day, I was served with a court notice—my ex had officially filed for full custody. With only two weeks to prepare, I requested a continuance, but it was denied. Now, I am facing a legal battle alone, desperately trying to protect my children while struggling to afford basic living expenses, including $1,800 in rent, utilities, car insurance, and necessities. My ex seeks to strip me of custody, reducing my time with my children to every other weekend. Losing this case would not only devastate me but would deeply harm my children, particularly my daughter, who has fought so hard to regain stability.

I am humbly asking for help in raising the funds necessary to secure a lawyer. I have fought tirelessly to keep my children safe and provide them with the care and stability they deserve, but I cannot do this alone. Any support, no matter how small, would mean the world to my family and help ensure that my children remain in a loving, supportive home.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for any support you can provide.