Does anyone know of a financial service for a father trying to get custody of his son?

Question

My boyfriend needs to go to court to get custody of his son. His son's mother's house is very unstable and she has been reported to children and youth several times even by his mobile therapist. Here's the situation. From the last fiasco in court with her, he owed his lawyer almost $6,500. That was last year and he has it down to $2,300. He won in court that time also. I'm going to take you back a bit in time so you understand. While serving in Iraq 2004-2005, she had a car repossessed which he was court ordered to give to her. The car was in both of their names, so he has the repossession on his credit report. Well recently he had annual training to go to for the military. During those two weeks, while he was gone, she cut his son off from the world. This was beginning of June. During 2 weeks she cacelled his mobile therapy, made him miss 3 1/2 days of school (including his field trip), he missed his last 4 baseball games and practices, she suddenly picked him up from school those days (which for the entire school year he rode the bus to our house and she picked him up in front of the house), she took him out of school early stating she had to get to work (the rest of the year he came here when she had to work and she picked him up at the house after she got off), and she took him off his medication he needed for extreme ADHD. Enough said well his lawyer needs the $2,300 plus $1,000 in his account to start custody proceedings now so he needs to find a financial service who will work with him because of the repossession on his credit record. He thought about doing it himself but thw lawyer knows how to put the pressure on and he kind of gets flustered. Any advice please?!?!

Answer 1

Whatever department handles child support and custody orders.  In my county it's called "Domestic Relations Court", others call it "Children, Youth, and Family Court", or CYF.  You do not need a lawyer for any court proceeding in this country ( it's just wise).  In addition, these courts have caseworkers that do most of the work for you.  I was not represented by a lawyer, which meant I was called next to last, the person after me didn't have a lawyer either. I had to wait from 9AM till 11:50AM to be called, but it was worth my time, and much cheaper than a lawyer.  I presented my case to the Judge, with my evidence.  The prosecutor tried to trip me up, but the Judge ignored the objections and actually helped me (Family court Judges realize money for a lawyer is an issue for parents in their courts and is better spent on the child).  It's nothing like criminal court, and the Judge will probably assign a caseworker to validate his claim, then the caseworker will make a recommendation to the Judge.  Chances are he won't have to return to the court room.  Just be completely honest with the Judge, and don't try to "embellish" you case.  Leave out anything emotional.  Stick to the facts about the unfit home, and how the actions in the home are affecting the child.  You are not trying to discredit the mother (yes, you are, but not in court), you are trying to prove your child is living in an unsafe environment.  If you can get someone not emotionally connected to the issue to help you write out an outline or such so you stick to the facts in front of the Judge.  Good Luck