I lost custody of my son because of a time I had to go homeless and live in my car after my ex hubby kicked me and my son out of the house to move another woman in. Right before I ended up living in my car, I turned my son over to his daddy because I could not care for him... I could not work because I kept having panic attacks and getting fired or quitting... (at the time I had bipolar disorder but didn't find out until much later) My ex pressed divorce after that and took from me all but three weekends a month with my son. I am now happily remarried to a good Christian man, and have a good home. My son has his own room, and everything. I want him back... I miss him so much... I need to find a good pro bono lawyer to help me get him back. I don't have much money I live on a SSI check because of my bipolar, and my hubby is disabled because of two herniated discs in his neck... we barely have enough money to make the bills... my mother in law helps quite a bit... but we make it just fine, and can take care of Wyatt my son and teach him all he needs to know about life... and the bible and take him to church.... etc. I just miss him so much and I know I can't hire a lawyer with so little money.... Does anyone know what I can do? or know a good lawyer who does pro bono work? I am at my wits end and feel like I am going nuts not having him. Please Help ME!!
I called a pro bono office today in Little Rock... they said cirucmstances haven't changed enough for me to gain custody. My problem is that my child has emotional and behavioral problems... that his father and step mom are ignoring.. all I want is the BEST for my son. I want to help him in anyway I can. Maybe this is God's will for me. If it is then so be it. God knows best my situation and what my son and I both need. Thank you all for your advice, even though some of it was tough to read.. it was true.. I needed to hear it. Thank you all again.
Contact Legal Aid of Oklahoma - ###-###-####. I believe all of the work they do is pro bono, and they deal with lots of family law issues.
have you sought God for an answer?
If you were to get custody of your son, you would have him during the week, but your ex would most likely have him on weekends. That means he would not be going to church with you.
Your situation could be quite a blessing. Weekdays include full day of school, homework, dinner and bed. Not much time for other things. After having this fight in my past, until you find another solution, enjoy your weekends and the time you have to teach your son about a God that will never forsake him. Your three weekends may give you more time with him than a whole week full of activities.
K., this may sound harsh because I'm sure you don't want to hear it, but here goes. Sometimes you just need to look at the child and ask, Is he ok where he's at? Is he happy? If you look at situations like yours sometimes it more about you and what you want and not necessarily what's best for the child. I've also gone through not having my child with me due to divorce, so I'm not speaking without any knowledge of your situation. You most likely have all sorts of "well meaning" friends who tell you, you should fight for Wyatt. But just because he doesn't live with you does not mean you don't love him or make you a horrible mother. Just make sure your decisions are about him and not you or how others think of you.
You said you live in the middle of nowhere. What's the nearest major city to you? Check their Yellow Pages - they may have a legal aid service - lawyers who specifically work with low-income people and whose fees are on a sliding scale based on the client's income.
In Baton Rouge, it's Capital Area Legal Services.
You might try Catholic Social Services. You should be able to find them either on the internet or if you call the nearest Catholic Church. I don't think you have to be Catholic to seek help from them. They might be able to put you in touch with a good pro bono lawyer.
First of all check in with your state bar, they maybe able to tell you of a lawyer who might be willing to help , also most states have legal aid for people just like you. Also check with your church is there a lawyer among the nembership who would be willing to help you out. Know that getting him back maybe hard to do unless you can prove your setup is better then your ex. You would know this not me. Lastly remeber you have God on your side so pray for this to happen.
hi my name is M. my advice to you is to get your self a good lawyer because it sounds to me that you ex took advantage of the situation. when you handed your son to him did you sign any documents giving him so custody of your child. because if you didn't you still my have a chance of getting your child back. But took to an attorney first he might be able to tell you what you have to do to get your son back.
Help finding a pro bono lawyer:
Hey K., I am with Kandi. I would just cherish those times now that you have with him. It is alot finacially with children and you said yourself that you are barely making ends meet. Maybe it is better that he lives full time with his dad right now. Maybe he can provide finacially for him where you guys would struggle. God sees your son and is working out what would be best for your son and you. It sounds like you are busy too. Maybe you should just keeping asking God for wisdom and working on your classes. Then when you are more stable in those area's you could try to get more visitation or full custody. It's hard to think about what is best for your son, because of being his mother and wanting nothing more than to have him with you, but could you really provide for him right now? Those are just some of my thoughts. I know that God will use all this to work out the good in you. Trust Him and seek after Him and lean not on your own understanding and HE will direct your path!
Blessings,
T.
K., I'd suggest you contact your local Legal Aide for help. They will ask money questions and with you on SSI, I'd imagine they will help you with your case or steer you to the right attorney. Good luck. I hope you get custody of your son back and God Bless You and your family.
J. <--- Blue Star Mom and Proud Army Mom
K. first of all you need to seek God's help. Pray and ask God what you need to do. There is Legal Aide Service for economically challenged individuals.You can find it in the white business pages. I'll keep you and Wyatt in my prayers and may God bless you and your endeavors.
K., your story had me in tears. The reason why i say that is because I have a cousin who has been diagnosed with bipolar for a while now, she lives off of her SSI check, and her son was taken away from her too! However, the situation is a little different than yours. She also is a Woman of God who has given her life wholeheartedly to God. Just remember that the Word is our road map. Every answer to any problem is in that Book. The Bible says that "the Word is the lamp to our feet, the light of our path". God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we could ever ask or think- Have FAITH and believe that what you ask the Lord is already given. He never fails. PUSH- Pray Until Something Happens. He already knows your situation all you need to do is leave your sorrows and cares at the foot of the altar and let God be God. This is not your battle to fight - God will not leave you nor forsake you and will not put more on you than you can bare. Pray what you will to have and that is to have your son back in your home in your care and watch what God will do. Bless you Woman of God! I will keep you in my prayers.
L. H
you did not say how old your son is or how long he has been with his dad. is your son unhappy where he is now? Are you being selfish and thinking only of what you want. Will you be disrupting his life-school, friends, social activities he is involved in? You say you are enrolled in psychology; yet I wonder if you have thought about the psychological damage you have already done to your son and may do to him because of your needs, not his. I hope you think this out and put your son first in what is best for him! what kind of life are you trying to take away from him(monitarily) and what can you provide him with? you said yourself you barely have money to pay the bills now, let alone adding another expense. All i read in your letter is "I want...I miss...! A lot of I's but not much envolving his needs. Just think it through; is this for you or your son? Good luck in searching your heart on what is BEST for the boy!
You should try to find out if there is a local Legal Aid service for your area, I had to use them once when my brain-dead ex thought he would try and take custody of my now 12 yr old(then 5yrs old), that didn't happen. Anyways, they go by your income, so the lower the better, and a word of advice..if you happen to get an arrogant jerk like the first one they gave me, you can request a change to a new one. Hope this helps you!
