Please Help a Domestic Violence survivor fight for her children in the legal system

PLEASE help my very dear friend, a survivor of domestic violence, regain custody of her two very young children.

She was married approx 13 years ago to a young man who was a medical student at the time. It began as a fairy tale, and quickly evolved into a nightmare. Her husband, who had quickly swept her off her feet, revealed he had a very serious illness.

She put her career on hold, to care for the children while he pursued his medical career. She comforted him, supported him, loved him in his good times and in his bad. He was verbally, and emotionally abusive. Like many women who are caught up in this mess..she felt she could help him, he would seek counseling, stay on his medication, and they could have a lovely family life.

This was not the case. He chipped away at her self esteem and self worth daily. She was a dedicated mother, and protected her children through the years.

He was erratic, depressed, manipulative and dangerous. Threatening to kill her on more than one occasion. He took out copious amounts of loans and she is now responsible for half of them.

He walked out on her and the children, and filed for divorce. He disappeared from the children for 6 months without a single word. Leaving the children in disarray and hysterics. My friend was responsible for guiding these children, while dealing with the ongoing harassment. He put the children in harms way. Manipulated the system, ran up extreme legal bills and finally, through abusing his medical credentials took the children temporarily away from their loving mother. Forcing her to hire lawyers who could help her regain her custody. He alienated her in the worst way from these grieving children. She is deeply in debt with no way to continue to pay her lawyers, a necessity to keep fighting for her children.

She recently received a call from her legal team saying that if she can't pay the bill they will have to withdraw from the case. She is beside herself with worry and fear. She has been separated from her beloved children for 123 days.

Please, please please contribute anything possible. Even $1 is so greatly appreciated and helpful.