Surely you had some kind of insurance on the house? That's where I would start.
And whatever contract you had should have been recorded somewhere....check your county recorder's office.
It sounds to me like you all need to sit down and talk about what is going on in your lives, and what sacrifices everyone needs to make while things are being settled (like maybe going to a different school). Tough times are when families should pull together and support one another.
A house is just a house, a home is where your family is. My kids spent eight months living in an 11 foot camper with me, using a porta potty and starting up the generator to get water from our well.
After living like that you appreciate what you have. :o)

