Custody and Visitation Issues: to Appeal or Not to Appeal.thats the

My question involves a child custody case from the State of:
California

I have had physical custody of my son since the start of our highly conflicted custody battle over our 7 year old son who is autistic. The judge just gave my ex physical custody after our 3rd Tier 3 mediation. He has made false accusations of sexual abuse, violated the prior custody order on numerous occasions...ex...refused to return our son at the end of his visitation, failed to select a child custody evaluator, harassed me more times than i can count, lied to and cussed at the judge...etc. We have dv in our past and he is very volatile.
I have brought these issues up in court and the judge totally disregards them and I am at my witts end. I dont have the money nor the legal expertise it takes to file an appeal but I feel that this is what needs to be done. My ex is so manipulative and the lies that come out of his mouth are appalling. I am so afraid that I have lost my son for good and I am lost as what to do next. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Custody and Visitation Issues: to Appeal or Not to Appeal.thats the