This situation just sucks so bad, I just don't know what to say! I am so sorry you are having to deal with this!
The only advice I have to give, just a couple weeks ago, my family went to court. My father had passed years ago, and his neighbour was claiming his estate (LONG story!) anyways the jusdge said to us "the last place you will ever see justice is in civil court" we ended up settling (basically we paid a guy that took my father for every cent, to go away) You might be able to fundraise to collect some of the settlement, but if you appeal and lose, could you get out of that debt? I think I would go to the media, if nothing, it will bring attention to a flawed system!