Marie: Seek Legal Aid for low income people, ask at the nearest courthouse or call the nearest Bar Association. You should be able to get emergency child and/or spousal support in court. I would also call or visit the nearest Women's Services Center. Your husband sounds abusive. He is probably trying to get custody of the kids in an attempt to avoid paying child support. I was a stay at home mom for 10 years and worked very part time for the last 12 and got spousal support, which I no longer need due to a modest check monthly from my Dad's Estate. I was divorced in the State of MA in 2009.