This is a long story but I'll keep it short. I have 3 children. One girl that is 18 years old and is about to start college in a few days as a freshman and Two boys that are 14 years old (freshman in high school) and a 9 year old (5th grader). I live in Texas and the kids and the mom live in Alabama. We all lived in Texas years ago but in July of 2015, she told me that she was going to visit her family (they purchased ONE WAY TICKETS FOR ALL 4 OF THEM TO FLY BACK AND VISIT THEM IN ALABAMA. My kids were 9 (girl) 5 and 8 months (boys) when they left so we've been separated since July 2015. I've been just traveling back to see my kids trying to see them as much as I can (as much as work allows). Anyway my divorce hearing is next week. I filed for this divorce about a year and a half ago and I haven't received anything from her or her lawyer. I was told that I'd receive a settlement offer this week leading up to the hearing but I haven't received anything....or maybe since I filed I was supposed to make the first settlement offer I dont know. To be honest, I always just wanted a court date and not even bother with settling to allow my case to be heard before a judge (who will be a woman...not sure if that matters). Please don't judge me for this question (as I'm already broken in spirit) but what do I ask for in this divorce regarding the kids? She will maintain primary custody and I'm sure I will get long visitation at a time because I live so far away. I'm also going to request that she pay for my lawyer fees for the simple fact that we could have settled this out of court but there was no effort of her end to even talk about it and began to negotiate with me. What else do I ask for? I'm very lost and need help from people who have have some insight. Thanks in advance!