Jetatai

In 1997 my father signed for me to marry a man in SC @ 16 yr. old. My mother was still living at that time, we just made up an excuse that we couldn't find her and even though both parents signatures were required the woman still put it through for me. I was physically and mentally abused over the next several years, and 3 of the incidents were reported and he had to go to court and serve time. I went back every time, but when I finally found a way out, I took the kids and the clothes on our backs and came to Fl. That was in 2005 and I have never looked back. My problem is that I now want to remarry a wonderful man, but I need a divorce first. The lawyers I have spoken to thus far have told me that I need to travel back to SC to go ahead with divorce proceedings. This is not feasible. I have both our sons, now teenagers, and even though I have filed and pushed for child support, I can't even get that because he works under the table. I know he won't sign papers if i do this on my own, even though he has a new girlfriend and a new baby girl born in Oct. of 2010. Please can anyone help and advise me as to what to do? I simply cannot travel back and forth to SC and I don't think it's right that I should have to stay married to someone who almost killed me numerous times...He even beat me while pregnant and in front of our sons, I could tell horror stories all day, but I'm sure no one wants to hear tht.