Jennifer's Guardianship Fund
Donation protected
When my wife Marcy passed away October 11th, I couldn't imagine how things could possibly get worse. Just because I couldn't imagine it didn't mean worse wasn't coming.
Some background first. Marcy and I were together for 14 years. Her daughter Jennifer is intellectually challenged and cannot live independently. Marcy was her legal guardian. She always made me promise that if something happened to her, I would bring Jennifer home from wherever she was living and keep her with me until she was able to return to her life.
Two and a half years ago, things for Jennifer changed. She had been living at a facility outside Boston, MA. The place that had once been perfect for her had turned abusive. Jennifer was traumatized, and we had to bring her home to get her help. She has been living with us since then. It took two years, but Jennifer was finally back to being herself.
Then October 11th happened to us. Jennifer's mother was everything to her. I don't think I even have words to describe the grief Jennifer is experiencing. The saving grace was that she was with me. In her mind, I am her father and the last person in her life she can depend on.
The day of Marcy's memorial service, the other shoe dropped. The merely horrible turned into the truly catastrophic. Jennifer's biological father contacted me and told me he was challenging my guardianship of Jennifer. My plan was to keep everything in Jennifer's life as consistent as possible to allow her time to grieve, a minimum of six months and longer if she needs it. Her biological father's plan was to give guardianship to a corporate guardianship company and have Jennifer placed in an institution as soon as possible.
Jennifer is thoroughly integrated into her community. She has friends wherever she goes. Uprooting her so soon after losing her mother would compound trauma on top of trauma. It is something no one should have to experience, but someone with Jennifer's challenges would be totally lost.
This brings me to why I am asking for help. Between Marcy's final expenses and the initial legal fees, I have wiped out my life savings. Jennifer's biological father is amazingly wealthy. He has made it clear that he intends to use that money to deny Marcy's wishes, my wishes and most importantly Jennifer's wishes.
I need to be able to mount a sustained legal battle to keep guardianship of Jennifer. The court will likely appoint an attorney for Jennifer and possibly a guardian ad litem as well. In order for me to be considered as guardian, I have to be represented by legal counsel. I can't do that without help.
The only thing I can do for Marcy at this point is to take care of Jennifer. I am asking for your help.
Thank you.
Some background first. Marcy and I were together for 14 years. Her daughter Jennifer is intellectually challenged and cannot live independently. Marcy was her legal guardian. She always made me promise that if something happened to her, I would bring Jennifer home from wherever she was living and keep her with me until she was able to return to her life.
Two and a half years ago, things for Jennifer changed. She had been living at a facility outside Boston, MA. The place that had once been perfect for her had turned abusive. Jennifer was traumatized, and we had to bring her home to get her help. She has been living with us since then. It took two years, but Jennifer was finally back to being herself.
Then October 11th happened to us. Jennifer's mother was everything to her. I don't think I even have words to describe the grief Jennifer is experiencing. The saving grace was that she was with me. In her mind, I am her father and the last person in her life she can depend on.
The day of Marcy's memorial service, the other shoe dropped. The merely horrible turned into the truly catastrophic. Jennifer's biological father contacted me and told me he was challenging my guardianship of Jennifer. My plan was to keep everything in Jennifer's life as consistent as possible to allow her time to grieve, a minimum of six months and longer if she needs it. Her biological father's plan was to give guardianship to a corporate guardianship company and have Jennifer placed in an institution as soon as possible.
Jennifer is thoroughly integrated into her community. She has friends wherever she goes. Uprooting her so soon after losing her mother would compound trauma on top of trauma. It is something no one should have to experience, but someone with Jennifer's challenges would be totally lost.
This brings me to why I am asking for help. Between Marcy's final expenses and the initial legal fees, I have wiped out my life savings. Jennifer's biological father is amazingly wealthy. He has made it clear that he intends to use that money to deny Marcy's wishes, my wishes and most importantly Jennifer's wishes.
I need to be able to mount a sustained legal battle to keep guardianship of Jennifer. The court will likely appoint an attorney for Jennifer and possibly a guardian ad litem as well. In order for me to be considered as guardian, I have to be represented by legal counsel. I can't do that without help.
The only thing I can do for Marcy at this point is to take care of Jennifer. I am asking for your help.
Thank you.
Organizer
Joseph Biener
Organizer
Cape Canaveral, FL
