My client received an unexpected court order in October 2008, awarding the entire claim to the opposing party without them being present. Now, the other party is trying to seize my client's only home. What legal options do we have to stop this?

Your client has grounds to challenge the 2008 order as it was passed in their absence. You can file an appeal to set aside the order and potentially argue for a retrial. Additionally, you can seek a stay order to halt the seizure of the property until the appeal is decided.