Child contact - running out of money

[Maybell345]

What do you do when you can’t afford to keep fighting???
I have been being dragged through court for the past 2 years by my ex and his family. I never stopped contact but they hauled me to court anyway. CAFCASS are involved and ex has had next to no contact with dc. Other than a few hours total in a contact centre. He isn’t interested in being a parent but his parents are absolutely loaded and will keep chucking money at the situation until either I buckle or they get what they want (full custody of my toddler) I am now thousands in debt and about to run out of money completely. I can barely afford mine and the toddlers basic bills. We seem to be back in court every month or so with tonnes of solicitor letters in between. My solicitor tries to keep costs to a minimum as much as she can but the other side want to up costs as much as possible as they know I’m a single parent struggling financially. What do I do when I run out of money? Just accept that I hand my child over after fighting for two years to keep them safe? Unless I make myself homeless legal aid have said they won’t pay and if I make myself homeless then my ex will say I’m unfit to care for my dc and then it will be pointless anyway. Please any one any advice?

I will add I’m aware you can self represent but as a single mum I have no one to care for my child so I can do this. My child comes with me to all court hearings already

Do you have any family? Could you say to the grandparents they can have visitation rights too? Would that stop them fighting maybe?

@LouiseTrees I don’t and unfortunately no, the grandparents and dad are both completely incapable of taking care of my child which is why I’ve fought so hard and the court agree as the grandparents have only met my child once as a newborn. Honestly I don’t think it would stop them fighting anyway

You could apply for a grant from the gingerbread trust for single parents. Please look into that. Also phone women’s aid/refuge and women’s charities and see what help they can give.

Can you represent yourself? Most solicitor letters don’t actually need to be responded to, they aren’t a judge so can’t demand anything. Obviously you have to respond to anything required by the courts.

I didn’t know about grants from gingers bread, I will definitely look into that, thank you so much for you suggestion. I will also try women’s charities, I’m getting desperate.

@Lucked unfortunately representing myself isn’t any option both practically because I can’t take care of my child at the same time as trying to be in court and also because my ex and his family are so deceitful I just wouldn’t be able to deal with it on my own. Even my solicitor struggles with them and she’s obviously trained!

Can you ask for an injunction against them bringing you back to court due to vexatious litigation?

I wouldn’t spend any more money if it’s putting you in debt. What has your solicitor advised? Do you actually think the grand parents could get custody of your DC over yourself?