Emotionally drained!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you live in a community property state? If so, anything bought during the marriage is half yours and half his, so you may have a LOT more leverage than you think you do.

Did he buy the house while you were married and just put his name on it? If so, he may be in for a nasty surprise, as most states will recognize a married couple as the owning entity even if the husband is the one who bought it. (Trust me. That was my situation.) Again, if that's the case, you may have a lot of leverage.

Do you have a bank account in your own name? If not, get one ASAP and start transferring money to it. Trust me, again; I will be forever grateful that I had my own bank accounts and my own money.

Do you work outside the home? If so, talk to your company and start having your paycheck transfered to a non-joint checking account. This gives you more leverage against your husband because you have an account that he has no control over.

I've been emotionally abused by a man. It's frightening. The best thing to do is to get out of that relationship ASAP. Leave, go to a safe house, find a friend who might be willing to take you in, etc.

Good luck.

See if your city or county has a Safe House that you can stay at. They would be able to help you. Good luck.

Well, if you're married, and he bought the house WHILE you were married, it belongs to both of you.  Don't be intimidated by this man (easier said than done). Do you have family nearby?  Can they help you while you divorce?  He doesn't have to give his permission for a divorce, it only needs to be filed by you, and he will have to answer to it.  If he ignores it, he defaults, and you get whatever you ask for anyway.  If he scares you, get a protection order for you, your son, and your family members.  Make sure though, before you do any of this, that you have copies of all financial records you can get your hands on.  I'm sure once the process starts, he'll probably hide assets from you.  Once he starts doing that, you'll never know what the truth is.  Bide your time, gather all the info you need, and make a plan.  The best example you can set for your kids is a strong one, which means getting them out of that house.  If they are witnessing this, it is forming who they will become.  Do you want them to become like their Dad?  I know you don't.  But they won't be able to help the ideas formed of how a relationship is supposed to work.  So, get your homework done, and then get the heck outta there.  If not for yourself, than for your kids and their future spouses.  Good luck. Let us know how you are doing.

Been there. This is what you do. Go to the store and get a digital recorder ($60), and a device that plugs into your phone ($15-25) that allows you to record phone calls clear as day, (there's also an ear piece that plugs into the recorder that will allow you to record on your cell phone) and start recording the things he says to you. Be careful not to be verbally abusive back when defending yourself. Read your state laws on recording phone calls. Mine allows recording as long as one party knows, that would be you. Back them up on your computer every day in case he finds the recording and make a copy for a lawyer. Start socking away some money as you are going to need it. Lawyers are expensive. If he is verbally abusive to the kids (puts them down, makes them feel guilty, puts you down to them), get those recorded also. When you have enough money (mines already run me $40k and we haven't gone to trial yet, but if you have enough good recordings you might not have to do as much as I have) see a lawyer and get a restraining order that orders him out of the house. The recordings are vital to prove the abuse in court as you know he will deny all of it. Take the recordings to the hearing for the restraining order. Your lawyer can handle the recordings in the actual divorce. Also, do not make any agreements with him regarding anything (property, kids). Once he is out of the house, record the phone calls between him and the kids. If he is anything like my stbx he will denigrate you to the kids. Don't tell anyone, including the kids and your lawyer, you are doing this unless you catch him saying things. No matter how mad he makes you, do not tell him you are recording as you want as many recordings as possible to show it's not a "phase". Start collecting any paperwork on bank accounts, 401k, his pay stubs, etc. It's going to be a tough time, but doing your homework now will definitely pay off in the future. Good luck!

Where do you live?  Why does he have to agree to a divorce for you to get one?  Couldn't you file for one?  I'm assuming though, you may probably have no other place to go, if he lives in the house.  Guess you could check with a lawyer (free consult to see what your options are), then file for temporary support so you have another place to stay.  I'm not a law genius or anything, but from what I've read, that seems to be a possibility.  Use any and all social supports, if available.  Keep us updated.  Good luck.