Is there a legal team that will help disabled veterans in family court matters?

CPL Nakea Wilcox — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 10:07:39 -0500

I finalized my divorce last year and currently have a custody agreement in place where my ex only gets our son (6yr old) every other weekend, due to me proving he has no housing as well as neglected pur son. Since then he continues even on his weekends to medically neglect our son and couch hops. As well as failed to follow the divorce order for multiple things which I have I tried to take him back to court for requesting enforcement and to show contempt, as well as show and prove he committed perjury in court. I have been going un represented as I can not afford to have another lawyer screw me over, but my pleas and proofs fall on deaf ears and nothing is done and no enforcement is done. I have documented everything, surveillance etc. I have proof of medical neglect, he has also been found in violation of the parenting time by the foc. I have received multiple threats from my ex, have made several police reports and still nothing. My sons health and worse his life is truly in danger and those who's job it is to care about the child's best interest aren't. If I refuse to send our son then they will take away my parenting rights forcing our son into a worse scenario, the system allows and protects the abuser but punishes the protector. I have documentation to back everything up. As a mother and veteran I'm begging for help.

Response by COL Randall C. made Jan 11 at 2024 10:48 AM

COL Randall C. — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 10:48:54 -0500

At the federal level the VA has agreements with a number of organizations* to help with legal assistance to disabled veterans (either facility sharing or just information sharing).

At the local level, the best place to start would be your state's Departments of Veterans Affairs (could have a different title). They would be the ones best able to help in regards to programs available to you on the local level as well as groups that partner with them. For example, in Virginia it is the Virginia Department of Veterans Services*. If you do an internet search on your state and the words 'department of veteran affairs', you should get a link.

There are also a number of organizations or law firms that offer pro bono services for those that can't afford an attorney. A simple search for "free legal aid near me" or "free legal aid _________" (fill in your location) should turn up organizations near you.
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* https://www.va.gov/ogc/legalservices.asp
* https://www.dvs.virginia.gov/virginia-veteran-and-family-support-2/resources/legal

VA.gov | Veterans Affairs

Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jan 11 at 2024 9:50 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 21:50:49 -0500

See if your county has a Veterans Service Officer. They know all the Federal, State and local Vet programs out there.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 12 at 2024 9:48 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 09:48:51 -0500

Absolutely reach out to VA and DAV groups and see what is available....But do not limit yourself to that. Check with local outreach groups that service single parents, child custody, child services, single parents, ect. They may have contacts for lawyers that will do pro bono work for some cases, they may have funds available and a list of known lawyers that can be contacted. Put your mental energy into internet searches for advocacy groups that may assist, and search for stories of other single parents who had the same general issues you are dealing with. One of those stories may have a resource they used, that you can tap into.

Response by SP5 John Hien made Jan 24 at 2024 9:37 PM

SP5 John Hien — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 21:37:09 -0500

I’m a Vietnam veteran who went through a divorce in 2016. I hate the tell you this, but in my case, the answer to your question is ‘No’, unless you have exceptional circumstances. As far as protecting your children, inform the police (be insistent) and have friend or family members transport you or your children wherever you have to go. Have you tried getting a restraining order? As a woman, I think you’ll find judges sympathetic to your issues and problems.

Response by SrA Joseph Acri made Jan 25 at 2024 10:53 AM

SrA Joseph Acri — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 10:53:40 -0500

try county legal aid some good some not. But it may be helpful resource.