In Support of Shelsea’s Divorce & Child Custody
Help Support My Legal and Essential Living Expenses
I am raising at least $25,000 to help cover anticipated legal and essential living expenses during the next six months while I navigate ongoing divorce and child-custody proceedings in Torrance, California.
I am not asking the public to decide disputed facts or comment on the case. I am seeking assistance with legal representation, court-related expenses, housing, utilities, education, and care for my family and two dogs.
Immediate Financial Need
- I am not currently receiving spousal or child support.
- I am currently pro per, representing myself in the divorce dissolution case and have a limited scope DVRO attorney as of this writing, but things are fluid.
- Additional funds are needed for continued family-law representation especially with such high stakes regarding my 11-year olds chronic medical conditions and loss of financial stability.
- A child-custody hearing is currently scheduled for September 23, 2026.
- My current parenting time includes one professionally monitored 8-hour visit each Sunday and one virtual 1-hour visit each Wednesday. My ex-spouse seeks to minimize my visits even further to punish me.
- The other party has requested that I pay his attorney’s fees and reimbursement of certain legal expenses likely totaling over $40,000, which is much more than mine (currently I've paid close to $30,000 in legal fees from Sept 2025 to present). Those requests remain disputed and have not been described as court-awarded amounts.
- I have incurred substantial costs responding to disputed allegations and participating in ongoing proceedings.
- Without additional funding, I may need to represent myself in complex litigation.
Caregiving Background
I have historically been the children’s primary caregiver and managed the majority of their school, medical, dental, vision, transportation, emotional support, and daily-care needs. My 11-year-old daughter has had autoimmune Type 1 diabetes since 2016, was diagnosed with myopia and astigmatism in May 2022, and was later diagnosed with anxiety and PTSD in Feb 2024. I share this limited information to explain the caregiving responsibilities and medical coordination I have historically provided. I will not publicly disclose her medical records, treatment details, medication information, school information, statements, or identifying details.
I was a full-time stay-at-home mom (SAHM) for much of the marriage and have limited independent income history after sacrificing my small business and two-year undergrad education to care for our children and oldest's chronic medical conditions 24/7/365. I was the only one doing the mental work outlined by a marriage counselor in early 2023, who he fired after only about four sessions. I also managed school coordination, educational documentation, and attended every IEP meeting for our 11-year-old, appointments, transportation, and multiple daily responsibilities for the children. I have been in personal therapy since Aug 2025, doing daily deep interpersonal reflections, meditation, and nervous system repair from the damage he caused me for over a decade.
Current Circumstances
- I filed for divorce on March 19, 2026, and served my spouse on March 26, 2026.
- The parties are involved in ongoing divorce, custody, and related proceedings.
- The parties have different accounts of family events, finances, and parenting issues. Those matters will be addressed through the appropriate legal process.
- I have consulted with more than 13 family-law attorneys.
- I am enrolled full-time in an online master’s program in marriage and family therapy at a COAMFTE-accredited university.
- My long-term goal is to become licensed in California and support people affected by trauma and chronic illness.
- Based on financial information available to me, the other party reported more than $806,000 in 2025 W-2 income. I am providing this figure only to explain the financial circumstances underlying my request for support; I will not publish tax records or confidential financial documents.
Education and Striving for Financial Independence
I am pursuing a two-year Master's degree in marriage & family therapy (MFT) as of June 1, 2026, and intend to help many other families living through trauma and/or chronic illnesses or disabilities such as T1D. I'm also barely able to operate my small businesses as part of my transition toward financial independence while managing constant litigation from my ex-spouse and his counsel. Current business revenue is not sufficient to meet immediate legal and living expenses. I also plan to launch a photography website this Fall 2026. The immense amount of stress and constant emotional turmoil has made it incredibly difficult to manage daily tasks and a multitude of graduate school coursework. Student loans weren't enough to cover the full cost of my tution, books, or living expenses. I do not currently qualify for any state-assisted programs and almost every attorney I consulted with requires at least a $10,000 retainer or more at an hourly rate of $450 and up.
Supporters may visit, shop or share:
Privacy, Accuracy, and Court Proceedings
This fundraiser is a personal summary for fundraising purposes, not a complete statement of the facts, evidence, pleadings, or court record. Information concerning disputed events, finances, legal positions, and court proceedings may be incomplete or contested.
I will comply with applicable court orders and will not publish confidential filings, testimony, communications, recordings, medical or educational records, children’s statements, or identifying information. I will not use this campaign to contact, threaten, harass, or publicly litigate against any party, witness, attorney, evaluator, monitor, or court personnel.
Donations will support anticipated legal fees and essential expenses and do not guarantee any particular legal result. Estimated costs may change, and funds will be used for the campaign’s stated purposes as needs arise. I will provide only general updates consistent with legal and confidentiality requirements and will correct material factual errors when identified.
Ways to Help
- Contribute through this Support Registry.
- Send a gift card, meal or Petco delivery.
- Share this campaign with family and friends.
- Follow campaign updates.
- Support or share my small businesses.
Any contribution or share will help me maintain legal representation, meet essential expenses, and care for my family and dogs. Thank you for your support and empathy!
Updates
Keep up to date as needs change.
No Updates Yet
Send a gift card
Lend a Hand
Volunteer for errands, childcare, or other needs.
No Needs Specified, Yet
The family hasn’t specified needs at this time. Offer a hand instead to let them know you are willing to help.
Choose a different month below:
- Created Aug 09, 2026
- •
- Other
- Report Support Page
Support Page
Browse all the options to help, in one place.
Words of Support
Donate, send meals, or lend a hand to include words of support.
Anonymous about 1 month ago • with donation
Katie Senter about 2 months ago • with donation
Becky Dose 3 months ago • with donation