I do know that custidial spouses seem to have extraordinary powers w/regards to the NCP - saying how a person can live, what items or people may be present in the house 9or not), and all sorts of ridiculous conditions. Family court seems to operate in its own little world.

One problem is that you are living in TX. It's too bad you can't move to a more reasonable state (or even county) and get a venue change.

Are you divorced already? If not, you may have some more rights than you think. If your lawyer isn't acting aggressive enough with your spouse, you may need a new lawyer. Your lawyer will make all the difference in the world. My husband had a crappy lawyer (the man WAS eventually disbarred!) and my husband got royally screwed in his divorce.

You have to stay on top of the visitation thing. If you can't have her if you're alone, go for supervised visitation with a court officer - anything you can possibly do. And document, document document! If your home isn't secure (if the county sherrifs are taking your stuff and paperwork) keep the paperwork in a safe deposit box in a bank, or keep copies (electronic or otherwise) at work or on your gmail space or somewhere where they can't touch it.

I'm sorry to say that one reason you aren't getting the press you think you deserve is because this sort of thing is NOT unusual. The family court has also reinstated debtor's prison (which was abolished a very long time ago). I know. My husband spent a long weekend in county lock up because he was delinquent in Child Support, and the police "lost" his paperwork, so his mom couldn't bail him out on Friday night. The judge wasn't going to be in till Tuesday (Monday was a legal holiday). Luckily, she finally talked to the Chief of Police, who was also Irish, and the paperwork was miraculously "found" on Saturday morning. (this all occurred before I met my husband, BTW).