u/CherryNeko69

this is messy but i don’t know who else to ask. been in this situation almost 8 years, physical stuff started maybe year 3, last month alone it happened 4 times, last one he pushed me into the kitchen counter and my side still hurts. my kids are 6 and 3, they hear everything even when i try to keep them in another room.

i keep thinking i’ll wait for a better moment but there isn’t one. i don’t have family close, like 2 states away, and money is tight so i’m stuck thinking what’s the fastest legal way to get out and not lose custody.

i don’t want some long fight where he drags it out forever. anyone here from chicago who knows lawyers that handle abuse + custody cases and can actually move things quick?

Been going back and forth on this for like 3 months, living just outside Chicago and yeah it’s time, nothing dramatic just done. No idea where to even start with lawyers, pricing, timeline, all that. Anyone here worked with a divorce attorney in the area who actually explains stuff and doesn’t drag it out forever?

Ex filed an AVO claiming I threatened her and broke her stuff. Didn't happen - we argued during the breakup but that's it.

Court in 3 weeks. If it goes through I lose my security job (need clean background check).

Talked to a lawyer (Jenny Xu, does AVO cases) and she said fight it - gather texts, get witnesses, build a defense. Quote was $4K.

That's my savings gone but losing my job is worse. Has anyone beaten a false AVO in NSW or is it pointless? Do courts look at evidence or just approve them automatically?