I have a court hearing soon regarding my children and their father/stepmother, and I’m feeling completely overwhelmed. For years, he had little involvement—never picking them up from school, attending activities, or handling day-to-day parenting. Now, suddenly, he and his wife are signing up for school emails, demanding medical records, and making major decisions without my consent.
He removed my eldest from school without my agreement, has shut me out completely, and my child now has no peer interaction, only private tutoring. My youngest has been humiliated, monitored, called a liar, and even given unprescribed medication without my knowledge. She feels anxious in their care.
Financially, he has stopped paying the correct child maintenance while using his money for private healthcare, tutoring, and top legal support—knowing I can’t do the same. It feels like financial bullying.
This has also strained my previous relationship, as my ex-partner used to help with handovers but stepped back due to the emotional stress and ongoing hostility. The children dreaded their visits for days beforehand.
Mediation confirmed that the real issue is not my parenting but his fractured family relationships. The children just want peace, but instead of fixing things, he is trying to control the situation.
I have written proof for everything—messages praising my parenting, school and medical records, and proof of unpaid child maintenance.
I’m exhausted. Has anyone been through this? What should I expect in court? Any advice would be so appreciated.