Legal Fees for Parental Rights - Best for Katie

Hi, my name is Tom. Katie is my 7-year-old daughter. We've been separated for over a year and a half, and I have not seen or spoken to her - not even by FaceTime. I lost all my parental rights at the divorce, and I need a lawyer to represent me in this ongoing legal battle. I've tried to come to mutually agreeable terms with my ex-wife, but there has been no movement. The only way is to take her to family court and let the judge decide. We can't wait any longer for. That's why I started this GoFundMe campaign.

Tom and Katie playing together (2019)

I have always been a huge part of my daughter's life. I went to every prenatal appointment, and as an infant, fed her, bathed her, read to her, and put her down to bed EVERY night. As she moved to toddlerhood and beyond, my fatherly devotion never ceased. I was her father, her teacher, her chef, her hair stylist, and playmate. We have that special daddy daughter bond! Truth is, despite my ex-wife being a full-time mom, I am the most significant attachment she has in her life. And Katie is my WORLD.

It has been a very tough divorce and an even more difficult year without having contact with her. The only way I am able to communicate with her is through cards, letters, pictures, and video. However, during this whole time of sending all my love to her and sending Birthday and Christmas presents, I have not received any communications back. The most I've been able to really know how my daughter is doing was when I had a parent-teacher conference with her teacher. Even when we are separated, I am making every effort to be a part of my daughter's life.

As a Christian I have a strong faith in God and believe that this is the next step in my journey to increase my parenting time from nothing to something. I have a great spiritual community here in Georgia and it is my dream that one day, she will visit me, and I can introduce her to the many spiritual aunts and uncles that she has who are praying for us.

I was married for 17 years before this unwanted divorce. Marriages end for a variety of reasons, but during the process and beyond, the children should never be put into the middle of it. The fact that my daughter has not had a loving father in her life for over a year shocks my conscience and tells me what a tragedy the family court system is.

I have never spoken anything negative about Katie's mother to her. My family was torn asunder but I truly forgive my ex-wife for the way she treated me during the marriage and divorce process. It is that place of healing and forgiveness that I move forward to obtain something that should never have been taken away from me or Katie.

I can't fight this battle by myself. I believe that the family courts need a lot of reform and will use my successes and failures to raise awareness for these issues. Will you please help me reach my goal so that I can pay the attorney's retainer? I believe that, together, we can continue the healing process. We were once as thick as thieves, and I believe, with your contributions and prayers, that relationship can be restored.

The court's speak of the best interest's of the child, but has perpetrated an injustice by not doing what is best for Katie. I cannot wait for my ex-wife to change her mind any longer. I need to fight again with everything I got!

For more regular updates, you may visit the dedicated page in the Christian blog I started. The web address is: https://www.dryandbarren.com/bestforkatie