Single Dad in Crisis Needs Urgent Support

Hello, my name is Gary, and I’m reaching out for help in an unexpected financial crisis. After my wife left, I made the difficult decision to resign from my previous job to be there for my two children. My 14-year-old daughter now lives with me full-time, and my son part-time. They need stability, but shortly after my resignation, my estranged wife took steps that have left me without access to any of my finances. She locked down our bank accounts and used my passwords to cancel my credit cards. This means that I have gone nearly two months without a paycheck or access to my money thus, leaving me unable to pay for rent, food, and other basic needs. My emergency funds/Go Bag money has run out.

I have a new job starting on December 2, which I’m very grateful for, but I won’t receive my first paycheck until late December. In the meantime, I have rent due on November 29 and no funds to cover it. I also need help with food, utilities, and other essentials until my first paycheck arrives.

Despite reaching out to my bank, the Financial Ombudsman, the Financial Rights Association of Australia, AFCA, and even my mother-in-law, as well as offering my wife a financial incentive to release my funds, she has refused. It appears to be a measure to punish me and pressure my daughter into moving in with her, though my daughter is clear that she wants nothing to do with her Mother.

The $5,000 goal is enough to cover two rent periods, food, a few utilities, and some oversue bills. Any help you can provide would make a significant difference for us and bring some stability back to my kids’ lives during this transition.

Thank you for reading our story, and thank you for any support you can offer in this challenging time. If you have any questions, please feel free to message me directly.