Texas: Pre Divorce Questions

Greetings and salutations.

I have been married now for 13 years and we have 4 children (13, 10, 8 & 4).

Our marriage has been on a downward spiral for quite a while and we're both at fault (I own my own part of the dance). I think it's irrepiarable and I need to start making plans for a dissolution.

I earn approximately $60K/annum and she earns approximately $25K/annum. We have a lot of bills and which interestingly enough is part of the reasons for our issues.

Mortgage, second mortgage, car payment (she drives the vehicle but it is financed in my name), several high balance credit cards (some in her name and some in mine).

As stated before we have been on a downward spiral but last weekend we got into a shouting match (I was upset that my 13 year Old Daughter was not following my instruction - no violence).

She took ALL the Kids to one of her friends house (the local Police were present and I was unable to prevent her doing that because she claimed that the Kids were afraid of me) and spent the weekend there (she knows I steadfastly have had a long term dislike for this friend and yet she took the Kids there specifically).

That is the thesis and now the questions:


I really do not want to be at the house anymore and I am proposing moving out and getting an apartment. We live in Texas but would like to return back to California but I think I need to hang around Texas till the divorce is final, yes?

Should I move out? If I do is that abandonement?

If I move out and have to pay for an apartment, the mortgage won't get paid and will eventually be foreclosed? How will the courts look at this?

What will happen to me in regards to child custody, child support, alimony? Will I end up living on the streets? Or will I still be able to take care of my children? How much would I have to pay?

I want to provide a good housing for my children and support them and will do that but I want to know what I am in for?

Hopefully someone on here can give me a detailed answer as opposed to the more regular "get an attorney" response. Also I am interested in talking to an attorney but I am low on funds (she cleared out the checking account over the weekend). Hwo do I go about finding a low cost legal help in DFW area?