If I am reading this correctly he got no visitation yet they have been living with him for 3 years???? If so why haven't you done somthing before now? The courts are not going to look at this in your favor if they have been with him for 3 years and you did nothing, but if it has just happened then you need to call the police to get your children back asap. I am helping my niece who has something about the same and she can't afford an attorney so we have been studying what she can do to reprsent herself. Forget Legal Aid, they are no help at all when it comes to child custody issues. We have found that you can file a Motion to Modify the court order which will result in a hearing being set up an you present your facts and the judge makes a decision. If your ex did not get custody and took the children without your permission and has not returned them and he hasn't had them for 3 years, I would bet the judge would get the kids back for you and reprimand your ex etc. I am sure there might be other things that can be don and we are still researching. However like I said, if you haven't done anything for 3 years the court isn't going to look at you in a bright light. I hope that is not the case here. Good Luck to you.