Good Luck JC with this. I just spent thousands this last year trying to keep my X from taking my daughter to Texas with her. I took it to court and was objecting the relocation and got a first hand look at how the justice system is run. You see stuff on the news and read about it in the papers, but until you have been run through the system, it is really an eye opening experience. Unfortunately it takes something like this for any man to have a shot a getting custody of your kids, unless they are of an age where the courts feel they (kids) can make the decision on their own. The fuhked up judges in this country think that just because the women give birth to the child, that makes them the superior parent in regards raising the child. I have talked with teachers, school administrators, director of family services and other people who work with children on a regular basis and everyone of them have told me the same thing, the man can nurture just as much as the woman and no where in any of their training have they been taught that the woman is a better parent the man. I could tell you stories that would make you sick about how the court system has refused to take the kids away from mothers who do things that are not only illegal, but dangerous for the welfare of the kids.
I don't know what your financial situation is, but don't skimp on the attorney you selcet and make sure they specialize in these types of things. Trying to do this across state lines I'm guessing is going to provide an extra challenge for you, but don't give up. Nothing more rewarding than being a parent and no bigger resonsibility you will ever undertake.
Disclaimer: This post is not meant to be demeaning to all woman in general, just the POS moms out there who use it to their own personal advantage and their kids disadvantage by cutting the fathers out the picture, but is a reflection of my bitterness towards the justice and getting royally fuhked in the ass by it.
Good Luck and keep us posted. I would like to hear how this turns out for you.
