Legal Question in Mediation in California

My now ex-boyfriend promised via email and in person he would pay for counseling services if I aborted our child. He refused to help me financially or otherwise if I kept the baby so I felt forced into the decision. Post-abortion he has now stated he will only pay for 6 sessions with a therapist. Honestly I have been in a state of emotional crisis since the abortion and am in need of serious help. Is there anything I can legally do since he verbally and in writing agreed to pay for my counseling? Its going to take much more than 6 hours to help me cope with the loss of our child.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration,

Asked on 10/10/10, 2:09 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

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First and most important, let me tell you how sorry I am for what you have endured. My high school girlfriend got pregnant in 1977 and we arranged for an abortion for her. To this day, and three wonderful sons later, there are still moments when I think of my first child and grieve. Turning to your legal issue. It is always hard to say what rights people have under a contract or promise without seeing all the relevant documentation and hearing the witnesses, but it sounds from the facts you present like you are entitled to whatever counseling your counselor thinks you need, at his expense. If that is going to cost under $7,500, you can go to Small Claims Court for it. If more, you will have to file a full blown lawsuit. If it is financially possible, I suggest you get the therapy you need and then if necessary sue him once your total cost is known. You have at least a year, and probably four to file suit over this. If you simply cannot afford the therapy yourself, then you'll need to get some form of evidence from your therapist of how many sessions they think you will need, sue on that basis, and hope it's enough.

Answered on 10/15/10, 5:28 pm

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