Ahh the good old switch-a-roo, Man tries to take out DVO, even with evidence, it gets denied, woman takes out DVO as a counter attack, no evidence, just says she fears for her safety, GRANTED. Obviously we are missing a part of the story, 1. you would have had cctv of the Maccas assault, this would of been enough to grant a DVO. 2. Why park miles away and get your Dad to do the pick up when at Maccas, under CCTV coverage, and also protected by the federal court orders. Once again it doesn't add up. 3. When she applied for her DVO, you would of had a court case nearly that week, and instead of taking it to trial, you have accepted it. Why, would an "innocent" person do that?
A. As far as your passport request goes, self rep, state that you have had one previously with out any problems and that its a great learning adventure for the children. Family court judges are know for just stamping these and moving on, especially in your case where you have been out of the country with the kids but also returned. Worse case scenario, you can put up a bond of a few grand that gets forfeited to the ex should you not return by a set date. This is worse case only.
B. You are now in the DVO merry-go-round system, you should of had a DVO put on her new partner that included the kids, that way if she takes them back to his place and he is there she has just breached it. You will be in a world of hurt from now on, as they try to bleed you of funds, so that you cannot use them in family court, how do I know, because its the same crap I'm going through right now.
C. If you are as innocent as you make out in this forum, then I would be taking the court case in 3 weeks to trial.
D. Where is your federal court case at? Is it still going or have Final orders been handed down? Because if its still ongoing, then I would be using the next 3 weeks to File An Application In A Case.