Children need their mom.

My best friend of 22 years is in dire need of a lawyer (and has one ready to be hired) in order to see her children (living in another state). I have been a neutral party for many years after her divorce and throughout custody issues, but it was only in the last few years that I have seen how extreme this case of parental alienation has become. It wasn't until her move to another state a few years ago that her previous husband and his partner have literally tried to erase her from her children's lives. I am not using these terms lightly. While they were living in the same state, Nicole had her oldest two children in her care often.

Nicole was first married at 17 years old and a mother at 19. When she first married, her entire family lived in the state she lives in now, and her ex-husband always knew relocating was a possibility for her if they did not stay together. He's always had the luxury of the support of his family (he lived with them into his 30's). Meanwhile, she was expected to live an entire adult life without her family, and she did try just that for many years, even though her health and mental health suffered greatly as a result. Nicole did not know the consequences of her move would be so extreme that her children kept from her as much as they have been.

She is now remarried with three kids from her current marraige, and her kids are her life. She is a good mom.

Nicole is also terminally ill after a recent twin pregnancy and birth exacerbated previous heart conditions.

Traveling 4,000 miles multiple times and spending thousands representing herself in court has not worked in her favor.

I have witnessed court orders be disregarded. I am witness to a judge ordering her the ability to pick up the kids from school (as she was not allowed to see them during her entire trip to their state), but instead the ex-husband got to the school first and made it very traumatic for the children. She has never and would never keep them from their father, she just wants to be their mom. These children also have a wonderful grandma, grandpa, many aunts, uncles cousins and siblings they are not allowed to associate with or even know. Once I asked the ex-husband while leaving the courtroom why people "aren't allowed to love those kids", and I was cursed at in response, directly in front of the judge.

On one occasion, Nicole's current husband was allowed to travel in order to bring their daughter to Nicole's son's out of state birthday celebration, but Nicole was not welcome to go. It doesn't make sense that her husband can visit the children, but she can't. It also doesn't make sense that in 2019, Nicole was able to take her children overnight, but now all visits must be supervised (which requires Nicole to pay and causes her other children that are with her everyday to be confused and hurt ).

I've witnessed a judge illegaly try to legislate what relative's names nicole is allowed to speak in front of her own children, and then recant once she realized it was a preposterous request.

There are no legitimate explanations given any time new blockades are laid out in front of her attempts at being a mom, and there is no interstate communication or assistance between state systems.

She has been asking for months when she can come see her children this summer, and all she is told in response is that only the child's counselor can divuldge their schedule. I do not believe that is a typical job requirement of a counselor.

Nicole never misses a zoom meeting with her kids, however, each meeting is recorded and involves her ex-husband or his partner standing over the children. Nicole is not allowed to say anything in regards to visiting them, or the conversation is abruptly ended. For years Nicole has not been allowed to have any phone numbers to contact them, only the step mother's email.

The children however, are allowed to ask Nicole for birthday gifts and holiday gifts. As a former foster child myslef, I can attest that neglectful parents do not come through on those occasions as Nicole always does for her kids. I can also attest to the importance of allowing children to be loved by those that love them, no matter how imperfect. It is never "too late" to be a mother, although Nicole recieves emails from her ex-husband telling her it is. Speaking those words do not magically make them truth. Her actions have proven time and time again that she is trying to be the best mother she can be regardless of the obstacles she has consistently faced. She has done everything asked of her and it only gets worse. Unfortunately, so does her physical health.

Nicole's mental health and status as a mother have been trampled on for far too long. A lawyer standing beside her is long overdue. Sadly, legal help is the only way to acheive success in the legal system, even when the well-being of children is involved. When these kids are adults, they will know without a doubt that their mom tried everything to be there for them, even from far away.