GiveSendGo exists to share hope, and for many families, that hope takes the form of rallying support for a loved one navigating a serious legal situation.

Who Can Start a Legal Defense Fundraiser

You don't need to be the defendant to create a legal defense fundraiser. Family members, friends, and community advocates can all start a fundraiser on behalf of someone facing legal hardship.

When an Attorney Is Required as the Recipient

GiveSendGo's platform policy requires additional compliance steps for fundraisers raising funds to cover legal defense costs related to violent or weapons-related charges. These include, but are not limited to:

• Physical assault or battery
• Reckless endangerment
• Weapons or firearm charges
• Domestic violence
• Homicide or attempted homicide

If your fundraiser falls into this category, two steps are required to keep your fundraiser active and receive any transfer:

Update Your Fundraiser Story

Your fundraiser description must clearly state that all funds raised are intended solely for legal defense costs. Fundraisers in this category cannot be used to raise funds for personal support, living expenses, or other purposes alongside legal defense. The fundraiser must be for legal defense only.

Add a Licensed Attorney or Law Firm as the Recipient

For fundraisers in this category, funds cannot be transferred to the organizer or the defendant directly. They must be transferred to a licensed attorney or law firm actively involved in the defense. This requirement ensures that donated funds are handled under appropriate professional and fiduciary oversight.

The attorney must be licensed and in good standing in the United States and authorized to represent the defendant in this matter. The attorney does not need to be licensed in the same state as the defendant.

How to Add the Attorney as Recipient

Once you have a licensed attorney or law firm ready to receive the funds, add them as the recipient. See How to Add a Recipient to Receive Funds for a full walkthrough.

The attorney will receive an email invitation to complete their own setup, including connecting their firm's bank account. Our team will review the recipient information as part of the standard verification process before any transfer is released.

Optional: Attorney Disclaimer for Your Fundraiser Story

We recommend your attorney consider including a short disclaimer in your fundraiser story. Attorneys familiar with bar ethics guidelines will recognize these as standard protections for third-party payment situations:

• Givers do not establish an attorney-client relationship by contributing to this fundraiser
• Givers have no right to interfere with the legal process or the attorney's professional judgment
• Givers are not entitled to receive confidential or privileged case information

This is a suggestion, not a requirement, but it can help protect your attorney, your supporters, and the fundraiser's credibility.

If an Attorney Is Unable to Participate

If no licensed attorney is willing to be added as the recipient, GiveSendGo is unable to release funds from a fundraiser in this category. In that case, you have two options:

• Continue working to find an attorney who is willing to receive funds through GiveSendGo. Once you have one, add them as the recipient following the steps above.
• Close the fundraiser and refund your givers. Contact Us and we'll walk you through the closure process. Your givers will receive refunds, minus processing fees.

If the Charges Are Dropped or the Case Is Resolved

If the legal situation changes after your fundraiser has been reviewed under this policy, Contact Us with updated official court documentation. Our team will review the updated case status and advise you on next steps. We evaluate these situations on a case-by-case basis.

Fundraisers Not Involving Violent or Weapons-Related Charges

If your legal defense fundraiser involves other types of legal matters, the attorney recipient requirement does not apply. Our team may reach out during the review process if any additional information is needed. Contact Us if you have questions about your specific situation.