Legal Fees for Working Single Mom
Donation protected
Dear Friends,
Well, here goes nothing. I feel like a complete jerk. I have found myself in a horrible position. This is the worst thing that I have ever gone through in my entire life. . . and I have had some tough times. As most of you know, I am a divorced single mommy of a nine year old boy. He is the love of my life. When he was only one, I was awarded sole physical and legal custody in court. All visitation with my ex husband was to be supervised with the person/ people of my choosing, for GOOD REASON. This order was in place and upheld for 8 years. As of today, 3/17/2016, my son and I are owed $8,594.08 in back child support and that amount grows weekly. Well, back in June 2015, I was taken to court by my ex husband over visitation. He has an attorney. I cannot afford one. I work hard and I work full time. I support myself and my son 100% by myself. I do not qualify for free legal aid BUT my son and I live paycheck to paycheck. So, I represented myself in court. It didn't go so badly. But, I was served with more papers in January 2016 and we were given another judge. Once again, I filed my response. (This has been exhausting & time consuming & has taken time away from my son and my job). This new judge overturned the order concerning visitation, that has been in place for 8 years, WITHOUT EVEN MEETING US. The order was issued via EMAIL in February. In the 8 pages of the order, there is only ONE SENTENCE regarding visitation. I am EXTREMELY CONCERNED for my child's safety. The unsupervised overnight visits have already started. And my ex lives in upstate NY, so he crosses the state line with him. I am SHOCKED AND OUTRAGED. I feel like my hands are tied behind my back. The stress from this has been awful. Most days I feel as if my legs are going to give out. This was all because I couldn't afford to have anyone fight for us. I wish I could elaborate on the circumstances, but I cannot. However, I am willing to answer questions privately. I have reached out to quite a few attorneys, all of which have told me that this would cost upwards of 10K to get reversed, as it is very complicated. I haven't had a single attorney quote me less than a 5K retainer fee. My family cannot help me financially and I cannot get a loan due to a fairly recent bankruptcy. I am at the end of my rope. I am physically sick over it. I never thought that I would be in a position like this. I am asking for help. I am also still waiting on the judge's decision regarding me paying my ex husband's attorneys fees which has totaled over 10K right now. I've been waiting for the ruling since mid February.
I also want to take a minute to let you all know that my son and I live humbly. We live in a 2 bedroom apartment and I don't have a fancy car. We have never had a vacation together. In fact, I haven't had a vacation in ten years, since my honeymoon. (Nothing more than an occasional overnight in Atlantic City with my girlfriends). I just don't want anyone thinking that I am asking for donations while living lavishly.
There are many, many details to this case that I wish I could explain. I cannot do so on this page.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you in advance for any donations made. The most important thing to me is my faith and my boy. His health and safety are my #1 concern. Please keep us in your prayers. God Bless.
Love Always,
Tanya
Well, here goes nothing. I feel like a complete jerk. I have found myself in a horrible position. This is the worst thing that I have ever gone through in my entire life. . . and I have had some tough times. As most of you know, I am a divorced single mommy of a nine year old boy. He is the love of my life. When he was only one, I was awarded sole physical and legal custody in court. All visitation with my ex husband was to be supervised with the person/ people of my choosing, for GOOD REASON. This order was in place and upheld for 8 years. As of today, 3/17/2016, my son and I are owed $8,594.08 in back child support and that amount grows weekly. Well, back in June 2015, I was taken to court by my ex husband over visitation. He has an attorney. I cannot afford one. I work hard and I work full time. I support myself and my son 100% by myself. I do not qualify for free legal aid BUT my son and I live paycheck to paycheck. So, I represented myself in court. It didn't go so badly. But, I was served with more papers in January 2016 and we were given another judge. Once again, I filed my response. (This has been exhausting & time consuming & has taken time away from my son and my job). This new judge overturned the order concerning visitation, that has been in place for 8 years, WITHOUT EVEN MEETING US. The order was issued via EMAIL in February. In the 8 pages of the order, there is only ONE SENTENCE regarding visitation. I am EXTREMELY CONCERNED for my child's safety. The unsupervised overnight visits have already started. And my ex lives in upstate NY, so he crosses the state line with him. I am SHOCKED AND OUTRAGED. I feel like my hands are tied behind my back. The stress from this has been awful. Most days I feel as if my legs are going to give out. This was all because I couldn't afford to have anyone fight for us. I wish I could elaborate on the circumstances, but I cannot. However, I am willing to answer questions privately. I have reached out to quite a few attorneys, all of which have told me that this would cost upwards of 10K to get reversed, as it is very complicated. I haven't had a single attorney quote me less than a 5K retainer fee. My family cannot help me financially and I cannot get a loan due to a fairly recent bankruptcy. I am at the end of my rope. I am physically sick over it. I never thought that I would be in a position like this. I am asking for help. I am also still waiting on the judge's decision regarding me paying my ex husband's attorneys fees which has totaled over 10K right now. I've been waiting for the ruling since mid February.
I also want to take a minute to let you all know that my son and I live humbly. We live in a 2 bedroom apartment and I don't have a fancy car. We have never had a vacation together. In fact, I haven't had a vacation in ten years, since my honeymoon. (Nothing more than an occasional overnight in Atlantic City with my girlfriends). I just don't want anyone thinking that I am asking for donations while living lavishly.
There are many, many details to this case that I wish I could explain. I cannot do so on this page.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you in advance for any donations made. The most important thing to me is my faith and my boy. His health and safety are my #1 concern. Please keep us in your prayers. God Bless.
Love Always,
Tanya
Organizer
Tanya Alexandra Zakk
Organizer
Lincoln Park, NJ