WHAT THIS IS
The Legal Clinic is a structured support program for women experiencing financial control who need to navigate family court without access to resources.
We help you understand what’s happening, organize your financial and legal situation, and prepare what you need to request support and move forward.
THE PROBLEM
You've been cut off from financial resources, despite continuing to be a full time caretaker to your children, which enables the marital income
You can't afford legal representation in addition to even basic necessities for your children and yourself
You know the legal system requires you to ask for relief in a very specific way, but you don't know what to ask for, and when or how to ask for it
HOW IT WORKS
Step 1:
Understand your situation and available resources.
Step 2:
Build the capacity to move forward with clarity.
Step 3:
Learn what you are entitled to, how to access it, and prepare structured documents to support your requests.
WHAT YOU LEAVE WITH
A clear understanding of what you can request
Organized documents to support your position
A path toward accessing resources and legal support
MEET CRYSTAL L. FEDELI
I’m Crystal Fedeli, a social researcher and policy analyst focused on coercive control in the context of domestic abuse, including how the family court system shapes outcomes over time. I am the founder of You Made a Way and the creator of the Legal Clinic, a structured model designed to address financial control as a central barrier to accessing legal support.
Through this work, I focus specifically on financial control as a mechanism that keeps women stuck or pulls them back. This work focuses on helping women understand what’s happening, navigate the legal system and financial barriers, and move forward so they can rebuild their lives.
My background includes work with the State of New Jersey, Office of the Public Defender and Department of Children and Families, as well as community-based organizations supporting individuals impacted by domestic violence, trauma, and addiction.
