ADA, Mich. (WZZM) - The parents of Julia Dawson say it was worth every penny, but the fight to win custody of their murdered daughter's son Alex has left them deeply in debt.

"I never thought it would be that expensive," says Tammy Keenan.

Kevin and Tammy Keenan had to fight Tim Dawson, their daughter's husband and convicted killer, for over three years to win visitation, and eventually custody, of their grandson.  They still owe a lawyer nearly $30,000.

In November of 2008, Tim Dawson was convicted of 1st degree premeditated murder. The body of Julia Dawson was found three years earlier along a Newaygo County highway.

The Keenans say something is wrong with a system that forces them to spend every cent to fight their daughter's killer for custody of their grandson.

"He fought us the whole time until he went to prison," says Kevin Keenan.

"We didn't do anything wrong, but we are paying the price for it," says Tammy.