All these wise responses sound much like me in my 20 year marriage in which I truly felt trapped. I didn't have the courage to leave until our daughter left for college, having been told he would take her from me and kick me out in the street with nothing. He hid all his financial assets also. When I finally left, I moved out into a ratty furnished trailer with nothing. But I was SO happy!
In retrospect, I think I would have had more rights than I perceived at the time from early in the marriage, but I was so brow-beaten and thought there was no choice.
It's shameful to admit, but much of the time feeling trapped with this man, I thought the only way out is if he dies suddenly.
Patty