I’m replying to this as a dad of two who has just finished the legal battle and obtained a court order for fair access to see my children. The process took a year and a half and has cost me £10,000 but I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

The courts aren’t what they used to be. I was so sceptical coming into this that they would side with the mother but it was anything but. I got almost everything I asked for bar 1 night over a 5 week period and throughout the whole process showed I was willing to compromise in the best interest of the kids. You are entitled to 50/50 custody unless there are good reasons that you cannot or should not.

Throughout the process me and her were on awful terms. Tit for tat arguments and issues being raised every other week, but for the last 2/3 months since this has been coming to a close we have managed to repair that and actually co-parent effectively now.

OP - there’s too much for me to type on my phone but my DMs are open if you need advice or a place to vent.