I do think it has never been a better time to be a dad going through court. I can remember about 7 years ago when I wasn't seeing my kids and had got some cheap arse accommodation because I was paying child support, the mortgage, rent and legal bills. I met some nice men who were older than me and went through this s**t in the 80's. One bloke - a retired police officer, was still paying spousal maintenance nearly 30 years after divorce, he never saw his kids again until they were in their late 20's. Something for your partner to think about.
And the data supports it. Sure this info is a bit old but if anything that should indicate that the numbers now are even better for blokes. Have a read:
"The data suggest that a greater increase in shared care time has occurred for judicially determined cases than for those in which parents reach agreement by consent....The proportion of judicial determination cases resulting in shared care time increased from 4% pre-reform to 34% post-reform" if you dont wanna read the whole article, just go to the bit about 'court data'
aifs.gov.au
Do mediation - then apply to court. Use this site to help you do the court thing without solicitors
www.familycourt.gov.au