I would recommend looking in your local yellow pages for legal aid.

There are resources out there for low-income and/or disabled people. I recommend that you find out who your local resource is, and give them a call. You don't need to to go into a full explanation of the incident until you are there, filling out papers, and then is when you would explain the circumstances.

I can sure understand your reasoning, in wanting things to be turned around NOW. But it just isn't that easy. Especially when you and your ex are working against one another. The whole process goes best (for everyone ~ kids included!) when an agreement is come to in mediation. Trials are very difficult emotionally, and courts are backed up.

I know it's tough ~ but try to re-approach your ex without emotion. Talk in the "I" state about your feelings and desires without attacking him. Not because you need to kiss his arse, but because you do need to change the road that you're taking. If he's still an a-hole, don't blow up on him. Let it roll off you and try another avenue. The more angry you sound, the more he will back away with the kids. And the court will side with him. If, however, you have been polite and careful to avoid insulting or attacking him, and he still backs away with the kids, the court will be more supportive of your rights to maintain 50/50 parenthood.

Whatever you do, don't focus on supposedly being pigeon-holed in an abusers hole. Generally, people who take that stance do not do well in court. You have to maintain control of your emotions ~ no outbursts in court or in meetings. You may correct your attorney, but it's best to do that privately so he can correct himself. It is a big battle, not fun at all, but you will get through it.

Thankfully, my ex and I went through mediation to avoid court completely. That worked very well for all of us. Please keep these things in your mind when you start feeling angry or resentful or picked on. I wasn't real happy with my situation either. But the courts #1 is the health of the children. Physical and emotional health. Who can provide the healthiest home? From there, comes the money. Income and health do enter the picture as well. The court does want both parents to spend as much time with their children as they can (if they are healthy enough to do that). 50/50 is the goal of the courtroom. But the children (where they are loved and taken care of, and can expect normalcy) is absolutely the #1 goal of the court.

Very best wishes to you ~ I hope that you and your ex are able to manage your problems more easily in the future.