Fighting for My Life— Cancer and Court

Update: COURT IS NEXT WEEK!

We’ve secured an expert witness who has also been working with us as the Advocate on Violet’s IEP team. He lives with Apraxia of Speech, just like Violet. He is an honest, professional and kind person. His testimony will be critical.

His fee to appear is $350.

When my next child support installment comes through in the amount of $1035, on or around the 9th, I immediately owe $650 to State Farm before I lose coverage. I haven’t been able to work as much as I intended to because I’m trying to do as much of the prep work as possible by myself to keep fees down. Violet is attending Extended School Year three days a week from 8:30–1:30 and maintains her rigorous schedule of OT, PT and Speech. There’s really only so much a parent of a special needs student can work. ❤️

Going in to this hearing without (even more) financial stress would be an incredible gift.

I will joyfully and gratefully accept any help you can offer. Please share this link if you’re comfortable doing so.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US all this time. ❤️❤️

Keep us in your thoughts June 10–12 while I’m in court fighting the most important fight of my life.

always,

Stephanie

UPDATE 5/21:

Hi, everyone! ☺️ The evidentiary hearing is coming up in three weeks. It’s hard to believe that this will be my first opportunity to present my case to a judge in over 4 years.

I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed. I KNOW I’ll be successful, but it’s still really scary.

Matt recently hired a new attorney who promptly hired an expert witness to review his case against me and make a recommendation to the court based on those findings. This person made a recommendation without ever having met, interacted with or even viewed me or my kids from afar. It was shocking at first glance. It took

me almost an hour to feel calm and regulated. The trauma stemming from family court is very real.

But my case is strong, I’m confident in my attorney and his paralegal. I had an opportunity to be in the same courtroom as a potential juror a few months ago, which I saw as an opportunity to orient myself and practice a mindfulness exercise of visualization.

Every big shock, every serious setback has led to opportunities for growth and deeper understanding of my role in all of this— to keep showing up for my girls, to keep being the best mom I know how to be to the two most incredible humans in the world. I won’t ever give up fighting for what’s right for them.

UPDATE 2/28: I was able to afford the girls’ and my airfare for March 17, which is a huge weight lifted. Thank you ALL so very much. ❤️ I won’t need to fly to pick them up again until late July, which means I will be able to afford airfare with what I earn cleaning and organizing homes.

(The girls’ dad still owes us $77,000 per an agreed judgment, but refuses pay)

⭐️ My Next Goal is to pay a $1000 installment to my attorney, then I need to address the bills that have gone to collections—

I owe about $800 to Progressive Insurance, $111 to Prosperity Bank, and another $200 to Providence Hospital. Ugh

After that, whatever support you can offer either one time, or each month would be a huge help. ❤️ We plan to aggressively pursue legal fees, so please remember I am willing to pay back what you give.

My darling sister, Rachel is helping me create a budget, and I’ve picked up two new clients. I feel a new momentum and I’m so grateful to you for helping create it!

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for your generosity and love. I couldn’t fight this fight without you.

love,

Stephanie

Note: Initial donations will be used to for airfare to bring my girls home from Spring Break with their dad next month per court order. ($1369.28 for Alaska Airlines)

As most of you know, I spent 2023 in chemotherapy and radiation for breast cancer treatment. I wasn’t able to work at all because of the side effects of the medicines.

Throughout that time, I’ve been fighting a battle much scarier than cancer— family court. Despite agreeing to the terms of our divorce, my ex husband is making false claims against me to the point of petitioning the court to remove my girls from my care. All the while he is in arrears $77,000 for spousal support.

Many people who go through family court end up spending close to $100,000 on legal fees before it’s over. It’s stressful and scary and debilitatingly expensive. I have no choice but to fight this with all the strength I have left. My attorney, Daryl Thompson, has 30 years of experience in Alaska. He’s been fantastic and I’m confident I will win this because the truth is on my side.

I am finally back to work cleaning and organizing homes, but it’s nearly impossible to catch up on bills while paying legal fees, covering airfare for the girls to visit their dad, which I am court ordered to do, and caring for my family. Violet, who will be 8 this summer, lives with special needs which require multiple therapies, tutoring and evaluations. These appointments and my involvement at her school limit my ability to work. A few bills have been sent to collections, and I’m watching my credit score decline. I’m terrified what the long term financial impact will be…

Still, I have hope that everything will be okay soon, and this season of struggle will be a distant memory. ❤️ Every day I set my anxieties aside and show up for my girls. I’m a wonderful mama and I’m thankful for every moment I get to spend with Lillian and Violet.

I know I’ve asked for help many times, and you’ve always come through in heroic ways. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Even the smallest donation helps us in HUGE ways. Please help us if you can.

**Bookkeeping: Funds will be used to pay off bills that have been sent to collections, cover car insurance and car payment; and ultimately toward attorney fees.**

Please let me know if I can work to pay you back over time. I will do ANYTHING to help my family. ❤️

Thank you.

With love,

Stephanie