I live in Johnson County MO, and have been separated from my husband for 3 1/2 years because of domestic violence. We have an almost 5 year old son that we usually agree on the custody arrangements. I have him during the week, he has him on the weekends (sometimes every, sometimes every other) and for the most part I allow him to have our son whenever he asks as long as it does not interfere with school (head start). We both want to be divorced and we both agree that the current situation with custody is what is best for our son. Where the problem comes into play is that he refuses to sign divorce papers and make this an uncontested divorce because he does not want to pay child support. He does not have a job, and therefore has no insurance for our son and I cannot afford it myself and he qualifies for and is on Missouri state medical. I have been informed that a. no judge will grant the divorce without child support being ordered and b. that if the issue was pushed and it was granted in that manner I would lose insurance on my son! I have moved on and am not looking at getting married again anytime soon but would still prefer to be divorced in case that should come up and honestly if I am in an accident he is considered my next of kin and that is a bit scary! I am stuck! I do not have the money to get an attorney because this is considered contested and that is outrageously priced, but I am not sure where to go from here. The abuse was too long ago so I do not qualify for legal aid. I have downloaded all the papers and am getting ready to go to the parenting class that is required by my local law but I am not sure if I can file without an attorney in this situation. All I know is that I really need to get divorced but can't afford an arm and a leg, I am a single mom of two boys (one from a previous marriage)! Can anyone give me advice as to what route I can take from here?!?!?!??!?!?!