Omg this is so terrible! Stay strong, you have a good plan and are determined. I commend you for your strength.
I would file for the separation and custody and child support now, even without the lawyer.
That will atleast start the year before divorce, and will set a schedule for the kids legally and will lay out who pays how much, including child care costs, insurance ect.
At this point he has every right to take your kids and leave. And you cant do anything about it because there is no court order.
If you file, atleast you will get things started until you can afford the lawyer to come in and help. But for the sake of never seeing your kids again, i would go to the court house and just file for separation, custody and child support asap.

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