How to file divorce in MO w/o attorney, w/kids?

Question

I was married in February 2001, had our daughter in October 2001. Left his abusive ass in 2002. Have not seen him more than a handful of times since then. He has seen our daughter less than 10 times in over 5 years. We are STILL married because he will not pay for an attorney and is afraid of paying child support. I am fed up and now want to file papers myself so I can move out of state. How would I go about doing this? And is it expensive?

EDIT: Legal Aide does not have the "funds" to assist me right now.

EDIT: My daughter is 6 years old. Her father has seen her less than 10 times in 5+ years. This is all she knows. It is not "hard" on her, it is "life". Her father is a POS and I am taking him to court to make HER life easier and to get HIM out of it, permanently. Thanks.

Answer 1

go to legal aid
they go by your income
file Immediately at the child support office

Answer 2

It may depend on where you live. In California, if one spouse has the means and ability to pay both parties' attorney fees, the judge will order that party to do so. Depending on how long you were married and whether you have many/any items of property to divide, you may not need an attorney. Go online and check your state's divorce laws or call the local bar for a low-cost or free referral to an attorney, paralegal, or document preparation service, and go from there. You only have a certain amount of time to respond to the paperwork, so if you haven't done that yet, get moving. Good luck.

Answer 3

You can file pro se but if you want to keep your daughter you need to have a lawyer present. Sometimes they have free lawyers.

Poor kid divorce is really hard but you gotta do it if u have to.

Answer 4

goi to legal aid it.s free there with there lawers . my opion?