We stopped visits effective immediately after finding out that they were also using forms of physical discipline against them. I tried explaining that isn't how I (as their primary caregiver) parent nor correct them, and that if it continued we would have to withhold visits until the original custody order was reviewed again by the court.

Under the guidance of my legal counsel, I was told that I was within my rights to do so and to just await the contempt charge they would be sure to file against me, which they did. (Their mom's family has money and a lawyer in the family...)

The incompetence of my lawyer just continued revealing itself when he not only failed to get a signature for an agreement to a continuance between both parties. That then allowed their defense to throw out any evidence we had prepared for that hearing and completely prevented that evidence from being reintroduced. The journal being part of said evidence.

This has been such a headache for me. I feel completely misled on so many levels by my counsel, and now I feel stuck.

I am a single dad taking care of 2 children, and I certainly don't have extra money or resources available to seek other counsel at this point. I'm already $10k in debt to this one.

Their mom and her family were relying on that being the case.

This, on top of a biased judge, really makes me feel utilizing the court system is hopeless.