I'm new here. What happens?

[NosyRosie]

Not to MN but new to this section

On Saturday I left H and took my almost 1 yo DD with me. I thought that would be the hard part but now my head's swimming with options of what to do next.

-Where should I live?
-Should I work or look after DD full time?
-Do I need to get legal custody or can we just arrange access between us?
-What if we start off living nearby but then one of us wants to move away?

I'm going to phone citizens' advice today to arrange an appointment.

What else do I need to take into consideration?

Wow. What made you leave yesterday? Am assuming it was a sudden decision if you hadn't organised somewhere to go too or thought too much about the future...?

Do you have a job right now? If so will you be able to continue with whatever childcare arrangements you have wherever you are now staying?

Where you live etc rather depends on your circumstances. If you need the council to house you you will be on waiting lists, b&b's for a while. If you have the means to rent/buy yourself then you'll find that choice a bit easier.

Do you own or rent the house you left? Leaving your H there may cause problems if you wish to return to it as a home for you and dd.

Check out what benefits you may be entitled too and if you have a joint WTC/CTC claim make sure you phone them and get it changed immediately.
www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

Re contact for your dd with your H, it is usually best if you can agree things amicably between you. But if that's not possible you can try mediation or head to court. Court is not an easy or cheap route so if at all possible avoid it!
Has your H been a hands on dad? Is he wanting and willing to have dd? Are you thinkiing/hoping for a shared care arrangement or will he leave the care up to you? Shared care doesn't necessarily mean equal time by the way. But if you are hoping to work F/T you may find it works better to share care/childcare responsibilities.
You may find this site useful as a place to start when working out contact arrangements
home.clara.net/spig/

Best wishes