All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
If a Muslim judge issued the decree of Khul’ based on the religious procedures, then this Khul’ takes place. A judge giving a decree in absentia is permissible according to the view of the majority of the scholars .
Khul’ takes place as one irrevocable divorce according to the preponderant view of the majority of the scholars . So, her husband is not permitted to take her back except with a new contract. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 88502.
If this husband has no sound reason for being absent from his wife for this long period of time, in addition to not spending on his wife and children, then he is very wrong because it is not permissible for a husband to be absent from his wife more than six months except with her consent as clarified in Fataawa 84073 and 88468.
Also, he is obliged to spend on his wife and children according to reasonable bounds. If the family of the wife had spent on her and her children with the intention of asking her husband to reimburse them, then they are permitted to do so.
Finally, we advise you not to hasten to bring her back to him or refrain from returning her to him unless you know what is more beneficial for her.
Allaah Knows best.