Help me keep my four beautiful boys

I've been a stay at home mom for 10 years.   When we had our first child, my husband Greg and I agreed that I would stay at home to raise him and the others that came along...my four beautiful boys: Matthew (age 2), Paxton (6), Jacob (8) and Michael (11).   I have done so faithfully and with all of my heart, mind and body.  

Although Greg has done many horrible and emotionally abusive things to me, I have vowed for my children that I will not speak ill of him.  They deserve to have a loving and involved father and need not know too much of our problems.   Suffice it just to say that 11 months ago, i finally built up the courage to leave him.   But before I could protect myself legally and financially, he emptied out our joint bank accounts, took my name off of all joint assets (i am still not sure how) and placed them into his name only.

 I have survived in managing the household on $250 per week for the past 6 months since we got a preliminarily settlement in court.  He makes good money but I agreed to this because I just wanted to get away from him.   Life has been a living hell.   

I have discovered over the course of the 6 - 8 weeks  that my lawyer has not been doing what she should have been doing to protect and advocate for me...despite nearly $10,000 in payments scraped together with the help of family and friends over the past year.

I am not a perfect person, but i know that my boys need me and I need them.  Unfortunately, Greg is seeking full custody, refuses to negotiate or go to mediation and is playing all kinds of games in the court to further strain my resources.

our trial is in less than three weeks,  I have found a new lawyer that is trusted by my friends and who has agreed to take my case for a fraction of what I would otherwise spend.  He has been willing to work with me but I need to put him on retainer in the next few days.

i will do anything for my boys but I have no further option than to cast a wide net of friends and strangers to get me through this horrible time.  I wish that I could say confidently that I will pay everyone back and indeed that is my hope but I do not want to make a false promise.  I can only tell you that I will do my best once the marital assets are divided by the court, the divorce is final and I can go to work.

anything you can give is deeply and humbly appreciated.   My boys and I will be forever grateful