it will be expensive. No doubt. The hearing cost me about $2500.00 to answer in atty fees. Not to mention the added expense of taking time off work to go to court, buying basics like clothes, etc to get me through, but in the end I don't have a DV conviction, I got back into my house, and my credibility with the courts was not damaged.

Do not, repeat, do not file against her. The courts will see this a retaliatory and discount it out of hand. Keep your head. Stay focused on the important things, your kids and whats best for them in the long run.