Not less likely if the dad has plenty of money to hire top attorneys. I know of one dad that used his wealth to take his son away from a great mother. That man somehow managed to leave her penniless after their divorce, then used her financial struggles to show that he could provide a better home.
There may be more to this story, the woman may be manipulating the son...but it is possible the dad is the bad guy and the judge is worthless. It happens.
It happens, but it is far less likely today.