If you wait to file in Tx., you will have to wait usually 6 months to be considered a legal resident of that state and also getting legal aide may not be as easy. I would go ahead and file now if you can, there may be a small fee, but it will be worth it in the end. I assume you will be going for full legal and physical custody? You should have NO PROBLEM getting alimony and child support after all of those years being a stay at home Mom and also having a child with specil needs. Apply for SSI right away. It takes only between 2 weeks to 3 months to get an answer compared to years for an adult, so make sure you do it soon. Your son will also be eligible for medicaide from SS if he gets on SSI, and then you won't need to worry about your ex covering him with medical insurance, or worse, paying any co payemnts. He will still need to provide medical for you if he has and you ask to put it in the divorce. That or you can apply for the state medical insurance when you apply for other assistance as well. Do NOT feel badly about applying for aide right now, that's what it's there for, and your husband has worked for many years paying into it, so it's your turn to get something back out of the system. They may ask you to go through their child support enforcement agency, which will actually help you anyway. Their attourneys will take on your ex to get child support for you, and will cover any court costs for that. As long as he is working, his child support will be taken right out of his paycheck, and sent directly to you without him having to do any of it. He can't "forget" to send it or get behind, and if he were to fall behind because of a lost job, etc..... the enforcement agency is the one who will do the enforcement for you. They will give him a warning for the first 30 days late, and in most states after that they take his driver's liscence and the next step if no payment is made would be a warrent. They don't play games. Good luck, God bless, and talk to the public schools about an IEP. YOur son will be ok in school, although I do understand the fears. I have custody of my 9 yr old nephew who is also diagnosed with Asperger's and I am always afraid for him at school. He has done very well so far though. He even has some nice friends in his inclusion class. We have been very lucky with great teahcers and a great school system though. I wish you the best!