Here goes, and I will try to keep it simple, though it will be difficult. Back in 2001 my mother was dying of cancer. I moved out of my apartment with my children and into my brothers house to help her wth expenses. During that time my daughters father took me to court for custody because e felt her living enviornment was not acceptable. I didn't fight him because I was so upset over my mother. I let him take custody. 6 Months later she was living with his parents and I continuted to pay child support to him, even though he released his rights to her, I saw a paper that he signed giving gaurdianship of her to his parents. When I was pregnant in July 2005 i lost my job and could not pay child support and have been in a financial struggle since trying to keep food on the table for my chldren. He filed for more money, she STILL is living with his parents, and contempt for the back support. I cannot afford an attorney. I consulted one that was ready to take the case, for $2500 retainer. I can't afford that. Anyone know of an attorney that will take this case? I can sue him for half of the support I have provided over the years and the attorney fees. Please help if you know someone! The attornet I talked to said he was in cotempt for releasing gaurdianship but I cannot afford him.
Have you tried going to Legal Aid. They can help in situations like this and it is usually free from what I've been told.
Contact Houston Young Lawyers Association of the Lawyer Referral Service. You might also try the Child Advocacy Center - he is stealing your childrens' support - they may step in for the childrens' sake! I work for lawyers and will ask if they know of someone who can take your case probono (no cost to you) and get back to you. Hang in there - I am so sorry you are going through this - what a jerk!
Hi R., I have a friend who is a family law attorney. I am not sure if she personally can help you, but may be able to direct you to someone who can. Her name is Marrivonne, and her phone number: ###-###-####
Let her know that C. W sent you.
there is a place were women can get legal aid and help u get ur kid back and they will work out the $ with u or not charge u at all if u qualify. it is known as the womens center not sure where u live but there is one in conroe (montgomery county) please look in phone book for there number or call information!! they have helped my friend lots and continue to assist her. good luck! my prayers are with u!
i personally have contended with my own pesonal hell in court regarding my idgit of an ex...over the most mundane of issues.
i orignally tried going through the Bar Board to attempt to locate any attorney that would take my case at discount or pro bono...unfortunately because its a familial issue and as long as the other parent is willing to fight either through himself or his parents, then you will always contend with the legalities of the situation.
i went through john mead over in the Tower of Life building downtown. For one, his retainer is 1500 not the 2500 and he worked out a payment plan with myself and my family. I will also give him credit because there were times I was so damn angry at my ex that I would suggest making his life harder, which would have cost me so much more money. He would always talk sense into me, thus saving me money.
He will do a free consultation with you to discuss your case and how to approach paying for his services.
his website is:
http://www.johnmeadlaw.com/
hope this helps
A.
Hello R.,
My name is B. and I am a Contract Paralegal (which means I work for various attorneys, mainly from my home office). I am considered a family law specialist (having been Board Certified by the State Bar of Texas in Family Law and Civil Trial Law).
I also was a single mother (for the most part) of four children, who are now grown - and have blessed me with four fantastic grandchildren, so far - and my youngest is getting married the end of this month. I am sorry to hear about your situation, and admire you for your persistence.
I don't know if I can help you or not, but I do have a couple questions and then I may be able to refer you to an attorney, though the retainer requested by the attorney you spoke with is minimal, provided the attorney has any credentials or experience in tbe family law courts.
First, I presume we are speaking about the 11 year old?
Second, were the child support payments made through the Attorney General's Office or directly to your ex husband?
Have you already been to a hearing on this latest action?
Where is the case situated? Travis County, Bastrop County, etc.?
Where were you divorced?
Where (city, county) does your daughter currently live?
Are you currently employed?
Lastly, who was the attorney you spoke with?
I am not trying to pry and if you don't want to provide the information, that is okay, and I understand. The reason for so many of the questions is so that I can make a referral that won't be a waste of your time.
Best wishes!
B.
go to Texas Legal Aide, they will be able to help you with your case and you might not need to pay anything to them. check this website and see if it helps "texaslawhelp.org"
I'll be praying for you and your family.
R.,
I know there are many free legal aid services offered in Houston. I did a search and the first hit had the following references on it. I'm sure there are many more. Hope this information helps.
Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program (HVLP)
Representation in family and general civil legal matters
###-###-####
Lone Star Legal Aid
Family & other civil legal matters
###-###-####
Houston Area Women’s Center (HAWC)
Divorces, protective orders, modifications, enforcement; limited services for non-domestic violence
###-###-####
University of Houston Legal Aid Clinic
Civil & family law
###-###-####
Texas Southern University School of Law Clinic
Family, civil, housing, consumer, immigration
###-###-####
Attorney General’s Office
Child support, paternity establishment
###-###-####
Domestic Relations Office
Enforcement of child support, visitation, and paternity establishment
###-###-####
You sound like my sister. By going to the State Attorney General's ofc and showing some sort of proof that he signed his right's over, you have a huge chance of getting your daughter back. If you can provide character witnesses, paper work, anything, you can get her back.
Most men file for custody b/c they want to get back at you. They don't want to take care of the children and run a household like we do. They Can't Do It!!!!!! Taking your daughter from you was for his bragging rights and ego. He has already proven that he could not do it. He could not fill your shoes. Now on the other hand, she can request to come back and live with you when she turns 12 yrs of age. There are steps for that.
Honey, keep your head up!!! Don't let him get the best of you. Remember my favorite saying is "Karma is a !@##$! What goes around, comes around!!!!!
Robion go through legal aid in your area....they should have a competent attorney who will take the case and sue him for his costs or will charge you on a sliding scale based on your income and ability to pay.
In the off chance you can still not afford an attorney take heart. Take copies of all of your expenses to show your inability to pay and from when...Take proof of all your payments and get copies (they are PUBLIC record) of his release of guardianship to his parents to show that you paid him child support when he did not have legal custody or even rights to your child.
Then offer to pay what you can afford to the people who do have custody of your daughter showing why the payments you offer would be the size they are and request that all payments from the date he relinquished custody to his parents that went to him be surrendered by him to his parents. with PROOF going to the court in the form of check stubs and or bank statements in your daughter's name, as you do not want to take the chance that his parents will be kind enough to lie for him and let him off the hook financially.
These are all things you can do in a professional manner that will impress upom the judge that you have done your homework, show that you did what you could financially for your daughter, and that he is the creep taking advantage of you.
Good Luck!
what area are you in?
I don't know of an attorney, but perhaps your pastor or minister will know of one. Based on your daughter's costly health requirements, maybe it will enable you to qualify for financial assistance. God Bless and Good Luck!
try the lawyer referral service and talk to them about a low cost attorney and one that gives discounts to low income families. You can get one for around 60/hour just make sure you let them know you are low income.
R.,
I had a similiar situation with my children and when I had to fight custody for my chidlren I went to the court house and asked how I was able to get a lawyer appointed through pro-bono and they directed me to an agency where I filled out the paperwork required. I had to qualify but being a single parent and low-income kind of put right in there. I'm from Texas and we still have that program here, I'm not sure if all states have these kinds of agencies but since there are low income situations in every state, I'm sure there is one in yours. As a matter of fact if you get food and medical assitance through your local Human resource, they also should have the information to these agencies that provide pro-bono assitance to the public. It was a struggle and a lot of paperwork but it's well worth it at the end. Take care, Good luck and God Bless you. S.
I am sending this in hopes that you are a Christian. Please seek God so he can direct you. Talk to a memeber of your church, because sometimes our help is right in front of us and we don't even know it. You would be surprised at the things God can do if we just "let go and let God".
I will lift you up in prayer as well. Keep your head up and everything will be okay. Don't get discouraged. However, you must continue to do the right thing and not let the devil get you side-tracked.
Your sister in Christ...
Have you tried your local attorney generals office or your local legal aid department. I live in El Paso and legal aid can ususally help with indigent cases. I am a paralegal here and it sounds like it may be a long drawn out process if you are both seeking to sue eachother for different reasons. I would say you get your paperwork in as soon as possible
Hello R. sorry to hear about this he is sorry knowing what you are going threw with your mother and to do you this way.well girl it sounds like you have luck like me well anyways me and my husband had to use this attorney for my husband child support stuff and he was really nice and made a payment plan out for us so you might give him a call he is in the woodlands his name is lawrence tackett his number is ###-###-#### are this other attorney i talked to is down town he also does a payment plan as well but he was a little high for what we needed him for but his name is philip placzek his number is ###-###-#### thats his office his cell is 713-208-2222/hope every thing gets better for you hope one of them can help you out.i will pray for you have a good night.
R. there is an attorney's office called LONE STAR LEGAL-AID. It's set up to help people that need help and don't have much money. It's in downtown Houston I'm not sure where you're located but I'm sure they can help. The phone number is ###-###-#### THEIR WEBSITE IS LONESTARLEGAL.ORG, THEY HELP WITH ALL KINDS OF FAMILY ISSUES AND IT'S FREE OF CHARGE OR VERY LITTLE CHARGE. I hope I was of some help. GOOD LUCK!!!
Hi there,i am sorry for what you are going through...
Please be strong and fight!don't give up!!!!
God bless you.
