Is the mother entitled to claim alimony for the previous period during which the children lived with her without the father providing support? And is a daughter given the choice between her parents upon reaching the age of 12 or 17, given the children's refusal to live with their father due to his mistreatment?

Custody of children after divorce belongs to the mother, unless there is an impediment. If the children reach the age of discernment, they are given a choice between their parents, and the mother has a greater right to them if they choose her. However, a court ruling settles the dispute, and the matter should be presented to it. The father is obligated to provide for his children's maintenance, but the mother cannot claim past maintenance unless she intended to claim it from the father at the time of her expenditure and had witnesses to that effect.