[livysmom]

My husband and I have had sole custody of his 2 children from a prior marriage for the past 5 years. His ex has been in the SAFE (supervised visitation) program for the past 3 years. Every 12-18 or so she files a new motion and brings us back to court. All of them have been dismissed or thrown out, but we spend thousands on attorneys every time. Her child support was set 5 years ago based on unemployment, so she only pays around $150 a month. Honestly, almost every penny of that money winds up going to legal fees to defend ourselves! She has served us again about a week ago and we truly do not have the money for an attorney this time, and I think we really need one. It is just too scary to go in there alone! We know we have a strong case and have collected all of our documentation and evidence ourselves, we just need a professional in the courtroom to keep our children safe. Does anyone happen to know an attorney in Houston who might be willing to take a pro bono case or for a reduced rate? Also, does anyone know a way to limit the number of times someone can take you back to court on the same case? This is ridiculous!

Thanks for any help.

[RubyPitbull]

I am not from the Houston area, but I did a search for you, and this site came up:

TexasLawHelp.org | Legal Programs Directory

I don't know if anyone here will be able to answer such a specific question regarding pro bono lawyers. I understand your frustration. However, lawyers are very choosy about doing pro bono cases and as I am sure you know already, the good ones charge heavily for their time. Destitute or low income people who get legal aid usually do not get the best lawyers. It is a rare situation that a really good lawyer will do pro bono work for a "regular joe" who's capital has been drained from excessive legal wranglings, as you and your husband are experiencing.

As far as what the ex is doing, as unfair as it seems, she has a right to petition the court as many times as they allow her. It stinks that she is doing this to you both and draining your finances but I suspect that is her intention. She is letting you and your husband know that she wants custody of her children and will use whatever means are available to her. It does make sense to find a lawyer who can get the courts to force her to wait for longer periods, but they will not be able to halt her completely. Unless there is a special law in Texas that I am not aware of, the courts will allow her to continue this "assault" on you because she is the biological mother. The laws always favor biological parents.

I am so sorry you are going through this. Hopefully, another member will stop by that might know someone in Houston and will be able to advise you further. I just didn't want your question to go unanswered and, at least give you someplace to start looking. Please let me know if the link didn't come through properly.