So me and the stbxw filed separately in two different counties. She abandoned us last October for a month. Just took her dog and left me and my 3 children. I had been a stay home father until last year. She had been the main bread winner.

Second separation came to me as a surprise as I had just taken her out on a romantic dinner and out dancing the weekend prior. She left me with the kids and during this she had forced a 50/50 verbal parenting plan.

She tried to convince me that I shouldn’t enroll my youngest in school so that threw some flags. So I got an attorney and they were slow to the draw and I got served first in an out of county court.

I also served her and was able to get temp custody to have the kiddos go back to school in the school they knew with their friends while I resides in the marital home. I have had the children for this whole month and they were happy and well cared for.

Yesterday at court her judge made a decision based off of accusations that I “ told my kiddos that their mother abandoned them” I didn’t do this and I’m trying to see if I can get a lie detector test done.

Their mother has Lost over 30 lbs and looks sickly. Everyone I know believes she’s on drugs and her history aligns with it.

I also believe since it’s a small town her influential grandmother and step father have ties to the judge. I don’t know what to do she took my babies and I had to tell them they had to move in with her and they were all sobbing in my arms.

What can I do is there any advice. Note: she filed for legal separation instead of a divorce to keep my Va benefits, medical and schooling. I don’t care about those or any materials I just want my children. I would even pay her child support to keep the kids/: