First, let me say that our prayers are with you & your children.
Next, I don't think I have seen this in any other posts. Make sure the divorce lawyer you hire (& remember the word hire) is a Board certified Family Law & Custody Specialist. Lawyers are a lot like tatoos. Good ones aren't cheap & cheap ones often aren't good.
You must remember that you can pay a half dozen cheap lawyers a lot of money over several years while you are without your kids or pay one real good guy to get them now.
I know how much money is an issue but I sure wish we had the money we gave the first butthead lawyer who sat & said nothing while the idiot blonde judge gave the kids back to the PBFH who had numerous charges against her from
CPS for neglect & abuse & had turned their home into a druggie flop house. The butthead then stood, shook my sons hand & said, "Well, we fought the good fight but that is the way it is in family court."
His bill for a substantial balance, over the huge retainer my son had paid, came the next day. The new lawyer called him & told him that if he ever contacted us again, he would represent my son in a malpractice suite against him.
Now back to that word hire. Remember that your lawyer WORKS for you & needs to listen to you & keep you up on all issues.
Can somebody tell me & homewrecked if there are county residency rules for custody? It seems like all I have ever seen are references to state residency laws. If that is the case, then he should be able to file for custody in his county, now.
I hope this helps, Good luck & God bless.
You never get a second chance to make a first impression!