Feeling totally rubbish. 2 DC one is 8 and one is 4. DP has announced he wants custody of our son (the 4 year old ). DP is refusing to move out of the home we rent ( joint tenancy ) as he feels this will reduce his success in getting custody of our son. He has a history of being verbally abusive to me but is charming to everyone who meets him. He has given up his job and has been doing up his flat in town but is refusing to move into it. I think he has been saving to pay a large tax bill and so may be living off this atm. I work 30 hrs a week and commute and do most of the school drop offs, childcare, shopping ,cleaning etc. My job is stressful as I work on a cancer unit doing quite specialised role and management. I did start mediation last summer but he halted it saying he wanted to make things work....he didn't. He only wants our DS as DD is not his biological child. Do I need to get a lawyer or should I restart mediation ? I rang round some family law firms today but they had no appointments till November. Should I try and move out with the kids? I don't have a big income and most of what I do earn goes on paying more than my share of rent & bills. Any advice ?