The woman left says she cannot afford to stay alone supporting her children....there is only 2 months left on the lease which we are willing to allow them to walk away from just to be done with the situation but it is becoming extremely heated between the two of them.  

Short and simple here:  Be the investor you would want your children to grow up to be.  

You might try the local Partnership for Children.

I set up a lease (similar to what we used for a separate house rental) while I was married and am now divorced with 2 young children. 

If you're in a very competitive market you may want to get the house staged (filled with furniture) for marketing purposes.If you must list it in such a way as to disclose the address (for example you list it with an agent as a rental) please spend the extra $15-20 bucks to install a simplisafe alarm system: this is an inexpensive alarm system that works over 3G cellular networks.

My partner has children, and she can't leave Santa Barbara until they turn 18.

I quit my full time job in law enforcement last February to raise my children. ( 2 under 2.. daycare cost nearly as much as my salary. ) I am not looking to commit a ton of time to the real estate agency because I want and need to be with my children.With all of my personal interests and requirements do you think it would still be worth my time to get my license?

I find some of the furniture at yard sales and online and other available resources for good deals.

Done right, holding might just meet the needs of your retirement, children's college education or other financial objectives of your golden years quite nicely, making you appreciate that foreclosure you bought and held in Parker way back when.  

I just found out that (her children's father) relocated to Las Vegas and he doesn't pay child support.