The $47 million price of parental instability

Reality TV star Kim Zolciak is fighting back against her estranged husband Kroy Biermann's claims that she neglected their children. Zolciak, who temporarily lost custody of their four kids, claims the decision was made without proper witnesses testifying. She also alleges she was not granted the opportunity to question a court-appointed lawyer and expose lies about her parenting abilities.

The couple will continue to share joint legal custody, but Biermann has been awarded final authority over major issues including education and medical care. Zolciak has requested that the emergency order granting Biermann sole custody be overturned.

Four kids, four unanswered questions

Despite the decision, the former couple will continue to share joint legal custody, meaning both retain formal decision-making rights. However,Biermann was awarded final authority over major issues inculding education, non-emergency medical care and religious upbringing. Under the arrangement, both parents maintain scheduled parenting time, with the children splitting time between households on alternating weekends.

Zolciak has requested that the emergency order temporarily granting Biermann, 40, sole custody be overturned. She claims that she wasn't able to question a therapist that speaks with her and the children because they didn't show up in court, and she also allegedly was unable to question the court-appointed attorney for her kids.

From Real Housewives to real-life custody battle

Kim Zolciak , 47, is a former Real Housewives of Atlanta star who temporarily lost custody of her and Biermann's four children amid their ongoing legal battle. Court documents obtained by the Daily Mail showed a judge granted Biermann's emergency custody request. The couple will continue to share joint legal custody, but Biermann has been awarded final authority over major issues including education and medical care.

Zolciak responded to the ruling in a statement to the Daily Mail, and also addressed the situation on her Instagram Stories days after the decision went public. She began: 'The senior judge's (a 'retired' judge) decision from April 29th is temporary until we return to court as soon as possible when we will have the opportunity for a full hearing.'

Parental instability: a pattern from the past

The couple's ongoing custody battle echoes a familiar pattern from the 2019 crash of their relationship.. at the time, Zolciak refuted the claims in a statement shared with the Daily Mail through a rep: 'These accusations are completely false and nothing more than a deliberate attempt by Kroy to defame my character.'

She added, 'I spent five weeks away working on two TV shows to support my family and make sure my children are cared for – something I will never apologize for. I refuse to be bullied or have lies twisted into a narrative about who I am.'

Who is the unnamed buyer?

The Daily Mail has reached out to Biermann's representatives for comment but has not yet received a response. Zolciak has requested that the emergency order temporarily granting Biermann, 40, sole custody be overturned. She claims that she wasn't able to question a therapist that speaks with her and the children because they didn't show up in court, and she also allegedly was unable to question the court-appointed attorney for her kids.

According to documents obtained by the Daily Mail, Zolciak said in legal documents that a family therapist was not present for the hearing, despite being subpoenaed to testify. Per the documents, she also alleged that she was not granted the opportunity to question the court-ordered lawyer and 'expose lies and refute' the lawyer's custody recommendations.

What auditors flagged in the May filing

Court documents obtained by the Daily Mail show a judge granted Biermann's emergency request regarding custody of their children – Kroy Jr., 14, Kash, 13, and twins Kaia and Kane, 12 - after he alleged Zolciak was 'unstable and unfit'. In addition to her four youngest children, she is also mom to daughters Brielle, 29, and Ariana, 24, whom Biermann adopted in 2013.

Earlier this month, Zolciak temporarily lost primary physical custody of her and Biermann's four children amid their ongoing legal battle. Court documents obtained by the Daily Mail showed a judge granted Biermann's emergency custody request.