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 Run a Legal Defense Fundraiser

When a Attorney Is Required

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, the following two steps are required to keep your fundraiser active and be able to initiate transfers:

Update Your Fundraiser Story

Add a Licensed Attorney or Law Firm as the Recipient

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

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

Adding the Attorney as Recipient

The attorney will receive an email invitation to complete their own setup, including connecting their firm's bank account. The type of account they use is their professional choice. You don't need to select a specific account type. Our team will review the recipient information as part of our standard verification process before any funds are released.

Optional: Attorney Disclaimer for Your Fundraiser Story

We recommend that 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

We understand that not every attorney is comfortable connecting with a third-party platform, and this can be a difficult situation for fundraiser organizers. If no licensed attorney is willing to be added as the recipient, GiveSendGo is unfortunately 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 donors. If you decide to go this route, contact our support team and we'll walk you through the closure process. Your givers will receive refunds, minus processing fees.
  

What If the Charges Are Dropped or the Case Is Resolved?

If the legal situation changes after your fundraiser has been reviewed under this policy, please contact our support team with updated official court documentation. Our compliance 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 fundraiser involves other types of legal matters, these requirements don't apply. Our team may reach out during the review process if any additional information is needed. Reach out to us via the Contact Us button if you have questions about your specific situation.