He can't just "take" the children: the family court will, in deciding the divorce, all decide who gets custody based on *the children's* best interest. The court will also divide assets and may award you spousal support (almony) if he was the main or only breadwinner; whomever gets custody of the children will also get child support.Don't sign any divorce papers he gives you--don't just agree to what he wants. Make the case play out in court, where you can protect your interests and your childrens. Also, there are groups that provide both emotional support and legal advice (sometimes actual legal assistance) to women in your situation. Good places to look for these resources are to contact Legal Services; the clerk at the family court (who may have a list of resources); abused women support groups; and also local law schools, which may have programs where law students provide help to people like you under their professors supervision. Good luck.