Can he take my kids??

I have been married for 5 years, and we have two small children, 2 yrs. and 2 mos. My husband is ruining my credit, stealing money from me and our children, and I can't take it anymore, but I know if I try to leave he will fight me for the kids. There are a lot of things going against him, but I am still very scared. First of all, he owns his own business, which is failing, and he only shows $12,000 a year on his W2, refuses to let it go and get a real job, his car got repossessed in December (which I was a co-signer for), so he has no vehicle to transport the kids, his credit is ruined, so he won't be able to get a house (our house is currently in my name only), he is stealing money from me and writing checks out of my acct. (which I was told I could actually have him thrown in jail for), and he is very short-tempered with our 2-year-old, yelling at her and saying awful things to her (which I can't prove, so doubt that would hold up). I am saving up to see a lawyer. Any advice?