Legal Question in Family Law in Missouri

First of all, in these legal proceedings there are "Petitioners" and "Respondents". There are no "defendants." The Petitoner or the Petitioner's attorney wants you to sign this pleading to make things easier for them. By doing so you will avoid the need for a sheriff's deputy to serve the legal pleadings together with a summoms on you. You will be submittig yourself to the jurisdiction of the Court. If you do not hire an attorney or otherwise protect yourself legally, the other side can proceed to Court without you and obtain a Judgment granting them whatever relievf they seek. You have the right to represent yourself, but if you do you will be held to the sam standards as would be required for an attorney, and if you miss something or make a mistake, you will not have any excuses. In a matter of such importance, it is crucial that you hire an attorney to advise you and to protect your legal rights.