Bills & expensesLegal & immigration
Family reunification petition: Deepa needs $450 before the deadline
A family reunification petition deadline is approaching and Deepa can't afford the lawyer.
Anywhere in the world775 views
I'm facing a family reunification petition. My hearing is scheduled for October, and the filing fees and the lawyer's retainer come to $450. I have been told by three legal-aid offices that their waiting list is longer than my deadline.
I have all of my paperwork ready, and my caseworker at Gaya Welcome Centre has confirmed that my case is valid.
If I miss the deadline I could lose my right to stay with my family and my job. My children were born here and this is the only home they know.
I'll share any non-sensitive updates as the case moves along.
Funds cover only the filing fees, translations and attorney retainer.
Where the $450 goes:
• Attorney retainer: $250
• Filing and biometrics fees: $120
• Certified translations and document copies: $20
• Court-appointed interpreter and travel: $60
I never thought I'd be the one asking, and I'm grateful for every bit of support.
Updates from Deepa
Quick update: $205 raised so far (46%). the plan for attorney retainer is now scheduled. Receipts coming as soon as I have them.
Good news. Because of your gifts ($165 in total) we've started the first stage. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.
Update from Gaya: the plan for court-appointed interpreter and travel is now scheduled. We're at 26% of the goal. Thank you for believing in us.
- Mussa John Mwakyusa 🇺🇬 · $25
- Hadi Yasir Amin 🇸🇦 · $59.50
- Marcos J. Valdez 🇪🇸 · $10
“Thought of Deepa all day after reading this. - Málaga”
- Juan B. Flores 🇵🇭 · $30
“Good luck. Hope this covers a bit of it. - Iloilo City”
- Varun S. Shukla 🇬🇧 · $50
- Waleed Ghassan Nassar 🇬🇧 · $100
- Anonymous 🇩🇪 · $15
“You got this! - Stuttgart”
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Take care, Deepa. This could happen to any of us. God bless.
Best of luck. I hope things turn around soon. Take care!
is there anything that isn't money that would help Deepa?
Thank you. If you're in Gaya I'll say if something practical comes up. For now sharing this is great. Thanks for looking so closely.
Sending love. Shared this with my family. After 17 years in accounting I know how hard it's to ask for anything. All the best.
I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. Put this on a community board in Verona this morning. Take care.
So sorry you're going through this. It takes guts to ask. Well done. My husband and I read this together!
is there a list of costs somewhere? Just curious how it adds up for Deepa
Everything on the list is an amount I've been quoted or invoiced. attorney retainer comes first ($250) and I'll update the page as each thing gets paid. It helps to be asked.
this could happen to any of us. I'll check back for the next update. God bless
So sorry you're going through this. I hope things turn around soon. Don't be hard on yourself for asking. Take care.
Hope it all works out, Deepa. It takes guts to ask. Well done. I told my book club about it and three of them are giving too. Thinking of Gaya.
Rooting for you, Deepa. Gave what I could, wish it was more.
sending love, Deepa. It takes guts to ask. Well done.