Well, think of it this way, the attorney money and getting a loan to pay for one is worth it to keep your kids, yes? If they get taken away and you didn't get a lawyer, it will be so much harder to get them back. The foster care system is crap. I know too many kids that get abused and molested from fosters homes. Once they're in there, the judges have already determined you are bad parents and it is hell getting them back. In fact it could take years.
Also, see if you have family members that will step up and take the kids if the courts try to take them away from you. The courts will hand your kids over to a family member willing to take custody before they will a foster home, or at least they used to. That's what happened to a couple of my cousins. My aunts are raising their children's babies right now because of a similiar situation you are describing.

