Blake's Best for Brian

My name is Blake, and I co-parent B, a really awesome ten-year-old, with my ex-fiancee. Since she and I were not married, this has made certain legal aspects of our co-parenting situation very vague and undefined without going through the family courts. As an unmarried father, my rights can often feel even vaguer, especially in matters of custody or legal decision making rights. I have worked hard to try to create as cooperative of a co-parenting situation as I can, but I have found, over time, that without a parenting plan filed with the courts, my ex often feels that she automatically gets final say in every situation regarding B when she is even willing to discuss it at all. I admit, I haven’t always been a perfect co-parent, and I’ve made mistakes along the way, but I’ve always acted out of trying to do what is the best for B.

As of right now, we have a child support plan filed with the courts, but no parenting plan (which includes no official visitation plan). This became a huge deal once COVID-19 became a reality. My ex is insisting on enrolling B in in-person school again, which I strongly oppose. My attempts to communicate this and discuss my concerns with her have been ignored or blown off. I often get told what the decision is, rather than being allowed to be part of the process. I had to call the school more than once to block our son from being brought to in-person learning, but now the school wants a copy of our parenting plan. With no plan existing, I am left with no knowledge if my ex will be given default decision making by the school or not. In order to make certain that I have fair and equitable visitation and decision making rights that can be enforced by the court, I need to find the funds for the retainer to hire a family lawyer. The COVID situation makes it even more critical that I can line up legal help ASAP.

I am a Peace Corps Volunteer who served my country as a sustainable agriculture volunteer in Tanzania (19-20) and I returned in January, just before COVID-19 hit, and finding work has been extremely difficult for me. Now I am pursuing my master's degree, and I just accepted a job with the university I'm studying at. However, since I've been out of work since January, I have no way of putting together the money I need for the retainer for hiring a lawyer.

All money that I raise will go directly towards the retainer for hiring a lawyer that specializes in family law. Any extra will go towards paying any of the additional fees that may arise as part of this process. Your support, now, means everything to me. Your support is not just for me, but for my son, his future, his health, and his happiness. It means so much to me to know that there's a community of individuals here to support my efforts to be allowed to have a fair and equitable parenting role in B’s life. I am so, so grateful for your time, and your support because this kid is my world, and we need your help.

THANK YOU!