Only one side can get legal aid in the family court. It would obviously be absurd if both sides got it,as the costs would be unlimited. So if your ex-partner has legal aid then you can not get it. Once she has been awarded it ,it is very unlikely that it will be stopped. But, even if her aid is stopped it does not follow that you can then get it. The rule still is that only one side can be awarded legal aid for the same case. I have personal experience of this situation ,when my daughter and the father of her child were fighting a custody battle in the family court. He got in first and claimed legal aid. We were faced with finding £10,000 cash just to start a case. Which was impossible. Luckily the two of them were able to come to a sensible arrangement between themselves.