Update 2: Missy has found a good lawyer. Someone who has experience with domestic violence cases. She’s very happy with him. He’s going to fight hard for her. Retainer: $3500. She has someone who has made up the difference so she’ll have the whole retainer. If you haven’t sent anything but still want to, you should. She’s still has no access to any money and could use all the help she can get.
Update: I am aware of $605 that has been sent to St. Anne’s thus far. Thanks to everyone who is helping. Missy is doing pretty well, for being in the eye of a hurricane. She’s meeting with a new lawyer this week and will hopefully have proceedings underway soon.
Some people have expressed concern that $1700 is a lot to pay for a lawyer for a divorce. I know nothing of divorces and lawyers, so I only hope she gets a bulldog that gets her far more than half. She deserves it.
Missy has created a new blog that tells her story about the cycle of abuse in her family. It’s been an unbelievably difficult journey for her and she’s endured a tragic amount of abuse. Please go read it. She’s making a lot of the right choices and is running into a lot of roadblocks. There are also more updates at MadPriest’s blog.
She’s going to need some financial help as her husband completely controls the finances, so I’m officially passing the virtual hat now. The lawyer she’s used in the past would not take her case, but she’s looking for a new one. The previous lawyer required about $1700 for a retainer. If you are able and willing to help, you can send money to
Judy Henley
St. Anne Church
825 S. Ortonville Rd
Ortonville, MI 48462
Checks should be made payable to St. Anne’s Care & Share Fund with Missy McKerroll’s name in the memo field, and/or a cover letter expressing that is what the donation is for. Doing it this way actually allows you to take a deduction on your taxes too.
Please email me at jase@dufair.org and I’ll keep track of donation amounts in order to ensure she gets at least that amount. I’ll post a running total here.
Hook A Blogger Up, Will You? « Heather’s Poor Excuse
| 17-Aug-07 at 9:41 pm | Permalink
[...] Aug 17th, 2007 by Heather Passing the virtual hat for my friend, Missy. [...]
Passing the Hat for a blogger in need! Hurricane Missy Update « Eileen the Episcopalifem
| 18-Aug-07 at 5:37 am | Permalink
[...] friend Jason posted the following at his blog: Hurricane Missy update Missy has created a new blog that tells her story about the cycle of abuse in her family. It’s [...]
Missy
| 18-Aug-07 at 12:41 pm | Permalink
Thank you Jase. Thank you everyone. God bless you–you’re all in my prayers.
karrie
| 19-Aug-07 at 7:02 am | Permalink
Thank you for posting this, Jason.
And a $1700 retainer??? WTF???
My mom is in the midst of a bad divorce and only had to give a few hundred.
FuzzyCo
| 20-Aug-07 at 12:27 pm | Permalink
Further Music Nostalgia…
In a similar vein, I just found (and see that Jase found them three years ago — I’m slow) these……
Missy’s Story « Spin Me I Pulsate
| 20-Aug-07 at 8:00 pm | Permalink
[...] is passing the “virtual hat” since her finances were controlled by her husband, something normal and scary in these [...]
Hook A Blogger Up, Redux « Heather’s Poor Excuse
| 21-Aug-07 at 11:14 am | Permalink
[...] and will send along anything you send me on her behalf. So far, so good. Meanwhile, read updates here. [...]
Heather
| 21-Aug-07 at 12:08 pm | Permalink
Is this really true about the retainer fee being too much? Because mine is $1500 and the guy told me it was normally $2500. I wonder if I should go elsewhere now. Hmmm…
jessica
| 22-Aug-07 at 10:40 am | Permalink
Retainers vary based on lawyer and his/her experience/track record, location in the U.S., and potential “messiness” of divorce proceedings. I was given a range when I interviewed lawyers seven years ago from $600 to $3000. Just FYI. I always say get the best lawyer, period. The best track record. The one known as “bulldog,” as Jase says.
Jay
| 22-Aug-07 at 11:43 am | Permalink
Missy’s new site has gone to invitation only. How do I make request to be invited? I am not a personal acquaintance, but I have been following the story as one of the MadPriest regulars, with deep concern for Missy and her children’s well-being. Plus, I live nearby (Oakland County, Bloomfield Hills area), and my wife and I are wanting to lift up Missy’s needs to some of our friends at church.
Jay B.
Jay
| 22-Aug-07 at 11:47 am | Permalink
(I’m not really from Germany… I am using a proxy server for browsing. I will confirm my identity to Jason and Missy in any way they wish.)
Jay B.
bine
| 22-Aug-07 at 1:27 pm | Permalink
me too please! i created a google account with my regular web.de address (you and missy know, i think), but can’t get access. you all know how much i always worry. i’d like to be updated.