Bipolor ex with poor judgment - can we get custody?

[Ellen]

My husband's bipolar ex attempted to hit me with her car with her 10 year old daughter in the car. Immediately after she was questioned by police, she called and made false allegations about us to CPS and they came out yesterday to investigate these. She is being charged with child endangerment. They currently share joint physical and legal custody (issued, in my opinion, largely based on lies she told in court during their divorce). We have had ongoing problems, but haven't wanted to involve authorities, but this is no longer an option. We wish to seek, at least, a larger percentage of parenting time, perhaps full custody. Where to we begin? From what we hear from the children, ages 10, 9, and 7, and others who see their behavior in public, I fear her mental illness greatly impedes her judgment and ability to parent. How much evidence does it take to prove this? The children are frightened to say much. This has gone on over 2 years without much involvement of the authorities. Where should we start in building our case? Is there anyone out there with a similar experience with advice?

[angel1964]

I know in the state I live in if you go to court the court will appoint a guardian adliteme for the children sicne they are too young to go to court. Hire a PI if you have the money. Keep a record of everything that happens. Does she beat them, does she take illegal drugs, does she drink. If she is putting them in danger there has to be a way to get them out of her custody. You will have to hire a lawyer. My boyfriends ex is a mental child abuser. and she got physical custody of their son. So get all the vidence you can get. Your going to need it. and do the children want to live with their father? I hope everything works out. Sounds to me like they would be better off with you and their father.