Hi, I hope someone out there can help me.
My children and husband have dual citizenship (U.S. and Germany). We all moved to Germany about 3 months ago. Before we came here, and during one of our many divorce talks, my husband decided to move to Germany with the kids. After many months of soul searching and therapy, I have also decided to move to Germany with hopes of salvaging our marriage and as a last measure of keeping our family unit intact.
While we were still in the States, my husband decided to apply for our children's German citizenship. When asked, he had explained that it would be beneficial to the boys to have dual citizenship so that they can receive citizen benefits in Germany. I signed off on the application based on his information.
Recently, I have decided that I will return to the States because I do not see our situation improving, and because we are back to exactly where we were before. When I told my husband about my decision to move back, he told me that the children cannot leave because they are German citizens and that the German court has jurisdiction over custody issues.
He also revealed to me that the real reason behind applying for the boys' German citizenship was to ensure that the boys remain in Germany under his full custody. He was confident that the U.S. courts have no say so on this matter and that the German court cannot force its citizen to leave his country. So, he said, he didn't care if I went back to the States but should give up on the idea of getting custody.
I am angry and sad that he planned this in advance with the intent to deny me/my children access to each other in the event of our divorce. I can't see this as anything but a bad faith ploy to prevent me from having a relationship with my boys.
Does any one have advice on what I need to do?

