Without getting into too many specifics, here is my situation.

15 year marriage with children.

Just took over the finances, and have a huge mess to clean up (most of which I have been lied too about). Including things which would preclude me from immediately getting a lease contract. I make enough to cover all the bills, plus repairing some of the past issues, plus a few hundred in savings - but this could be many months (up to even a year) to fix everything at this rate.

Currently cohabitating, but with an incredible amount of stress and absolutely ZERO trust between us. I walk a razor thin line while she can basically behave in any way she wants, knowing that any reaction at all can and will be used against me. The police have been called on me in the past, for absolutely no reason. I am afraid of false charges, which would destroy my future.

I have no support network nearby (it is several states away), and would have to give up my job and regular visits with my children for a while in order to live cheaply enough to move out anytime soon. This might enable her to apply for state benefits temporarily, since she has no income and no plans to start working. I may even be able to find a job before I leave this one, although that would be trickier due to the distance and non-cooperation of by STBX.

So the question I have, is basically should I....

A) Continue to cohabitate, save money very slowly while trying to fix enough of the financial mess to eventually facilitate a smooth (hopefully) separation? [Finances before Separation]

OR

B) Make plans for a more immediate separation to lean on my support network, costing me a job and time with my children; which would allow me to spend the vast majority of my income (after finding a new income) on fixing financial problems and getting back on my feet while supporting her and the current household expenses? [Separation before Finances]