Hunter Biden and his new girlfriend Hallie bonded while they were 'in the trenches' during Beau's illness, a family friend has revealed.

The pair, who revealed earlier this month they were dating, became a team during the cancer battle that took the life of Beau, Hunter's brother and Hallie's husband, in May 2015, Rob Buccini told People.

'[Hallie and Hunter] went to all the doctor appointments together when Beau first got sick,' Buccini, Hunter's childhood friend, said.

Hunter, 47, is in the middle of a bitter divorce battle with his estranged wife, Kathleen, who accused in him divorce papers of spending vast amounts of money on drugs, prostitutes and gifts for other women.

But Buccini painted a different picture of Hunter, saying that he grew close to Hallie at a time when they both needed support.

Also speaking out is Joe's brother and Hunter's uncle Jim Biden, who said: 'We take great pride in the fact that we have each other with all that’s going on in this world today.

'We are one homogeneous larger family, but each of our nuclear families are extremely close.'

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New details: A Biden family friend revealed Hunter grew close to his brother Beau's widow Hallie in the wake of his brother's death (Hallie above on Wednesday)

Close: 'You obviously develop a bond. This isn't something that happened while he was sick, it came as a result of being in the trenches together,' said Rob Buccini

New clothes: Hallie, 43, was spotted out in Wilmington, Delaware on Wednesday doing some shopping at Peter Kane, a high-end retail store

New love: It was revealed last Wednesday that after the death of her husband beau in 2015 (couple above in 2009) Hallie had at some point started dating Hunter

'You obviously develop a bond. This isn't something that happened while he was sick, it came as a result of being in the trenches together for three years... They didn't intend [for] this, obviously, to happen,' the family friend said.

Beau was 46 years old when he died, leaving behind Hallie and two children, Natalie, now 12, and Hunter, 10.

His passing put more strain on Kathleen and Hunter's marriage, who separated in October 2015 but had grown apart 'for quite some time', before Beau's death said Jim.

'[Hunter and Kathleen's] separation was certainly compounded by the incredible grief from Beau's sickness and his death,' Buccini said.

The friend defended Hunter against Kathleen's accusations of reckless spending, telling the magazine: 'That’s not the Hunter I know. The Hunter I know puts his children first.'

Hunter and Kathleen have three daughters together, Naomi, 23, Finnegan, 18, Maisy, 16.

Members of the Biden family, including former vice-president Joe, have stood by Hallie and Hunter.

'Anyone moved to judgment now has no knowledge of the grace and strength with which Hunter and Hallie have navigated the last four years,' childhood friend Lea Carpenter told People.

Hallie was spotted running errands on Tuesday afternoon at an upscale shopping center Delaware, wearing her late husband Beau's dog tags.

She was without her new paramour Hunter and instead joined by sister Elizabeth Secundy for the outing to the Greeneville Center in Wilmington.

Hallie was outfitted in a tattered blush-colored turtleneck, ripped jeans and carrying a $2,000 Chloe purse while wearing her wedding ring and her late husband Beau's dog tags on the trip.

The shopping trip came almost one week after it was first revealed that Hallie was in a romantic relationship with Hunter.

The pair have yet to be photographed together, but DailyMail.com caught the two going to great lengths to avoid the cameras when they were both spotted at a Walgreens over the weekend.

Hunter and Hallie both exited separately after their trip to the pharmacy.

DailyMail.com also manged to spot Hunter's estranged wife Kathleen Biden over the weekend as she went out to eat with friends and then for a run in her Washington DC neighborhood.

When news broke of the new couple earlier this week, Joe and Jill provided a comment stating how happy they were for the couple.

There was no mention by the Bidens however of Kathleen, who in December filed divorce papers.

One person who does appear to be supporting Kathleen during this time though is good friend Michelle Obama.

Kathleen has grown so close with the former first family that she even appears to have even joined Sasha and Malia Obama in Aspen with her daughter Maisy over President's Day weekend.

Photographs obtained by DailyMail.com show a woman who appears to be Kathleen standing by a car at the bottom of the mountains after a day of skiing along with Sasha and a group of her friends.

It was just one week later that Kathleen filed papers accusing Hunter of spending money on 'drugs, alcohol, prostitutes, and strip clubs.'

I. DIVORCE, DRUG USE AND DEBTS

Kathleen is asking for a divorce and sole custody of her minor child with husband Robert 'Hunter' Biden in documents filed on December 9 of last year.

That is over a year after Kathleen claims she and Hunter formally separated in October 2015, which was three months after she kicked him out of their home on July 5, 2015 because of 'his conduct the night before.'

Kathleen does not detail that conduct in her filing, which would have occurred one month after Hunter lost his brother Beau to brain cancer.

The divorce papers cite 'irreconcilable differences between the parties concerning Defendant's conduct' as the reason for terminating the union.

Kathleen later gets a bit more specific in the motion she filed last month, claiming that Hunter's 'drug use and infidelity' played a role in the split.

That motion was submitted because Hunter's spending has left the family with 'no funds to pay legitimate bills' according to Kathleen.

'The parties' outstanding debts are shocking and overwhelming,' states Kathleen in the filing, claiming they have 'maxed-out credit-card debt' and a 'tax debt of at least $313,970' among other owed expenses.

Kathleen and Hunter have also 'bounced three checks to their housekeeper and owe medical providers and therapists for outstanding bills' according to the motion.

She accuses Hunter of 'dissipating hundreds of thousands of dollars of marital funds' by 'spending extravagantly on his own interests' in the year since the two made the decision to formally separate while asking the court to freeze his assets.

Running errands: Hallie Biden was out shopping in Wilmington, Delaware on Tuesday (above)

Showing off the band: Hallie was still wearing her wedding ring during the outing (above)

Remembering: She was also wearing her late husband Beau's dog tags

Sibling trip: She was joined by her sister Elizabeth Secundy (above) for the outing

Fancy bag: Hallie carried a $2,000 Chloe purse during the trip

Gazing on: Hunter looks on as his brother embraces Hallie in 2009 after arriving home from Iraq (above)

II. HUNTER'S SECRET SPENDING

Kathleen goes on to explain in her Plantiff's Motion to Enjoin Dissipation of Assets that her estranged husband has been the 'sole source of funds to support the family throughout the entirety of the parties' marriage.'

She claims that Hunter's office had been sending her a monthly transfer of approximately $17,000 for herself and their three daughters - Naomi, Finnegan and Maisy - but that this amount was drastically decreased to just $7,500 in October of last year.

And while he was decreasing the money to his estranged wife and children, Hunter 'secretly continued to spend lavishly' according to Kathleen's motion, and at one point 'instructed a large payment of marital income ($122,179) be made to a TD Bank account in his sole name.'

That money could not be touched by Kathleen or Hunter's office according to the filing, which then claims: 'On information and belief, taxes were not withheld from these funds.'

Hunter later dissipated the funds however according to court papers.

Kathleen goes on to claim that these interests include 'drugs, alcohol, prostitutes, strip clubs and gifts for women with whom he had sexual relations.'

The motion later details another big purchase made by Hunter recently - a diamond.

'On or about February 17, 2017, Ms. Biden learned that Mr. Biden was in possession of a large diamond, on information and belief worth approximately $80,000,' states the motion.

'When Ms. Biden, through counsel, asked Mr. Biden to place the diamond in a safety deposit box accessible only to both parties together, Mr. Biden, through counsel, denied possession of the diamond.'

Hunter has now admitted to being in possession of the diamond according to the motion.

Kathleen also claims Hunter 'continued to incur debt on any available cards,' 'maxed out all available cash advances,' and 'transferred money to himself from an account solely in [Kathleen's] name.'

The charges and cash advances Hunter takes are 'rarely' being spent on 'legitimate family expenses' according to the filing, and instead 'focuses on his own travel ( at times multiple hotel rooms on the same night), gifts for other women, alcohol, strip clubs, and other personal indulgences.'

Parting ways: Hallie and new boyfriend Hunter Biden were spotted together for the first time on Sunday (above) by DailyMail.com

Out and about: Also on Sunday Hunter's estranged wife Kathleen grabbed lunch with friends (above)

III. REQUEST TO FREEZE ASSETS

The motion requests that the court remedy the situation for the time being by having 'all funds earned prior to a full and final resolution ... placed into an escrow account, and that Ms. Biden receive an allocation of $20,000 per month and Mr. Biden receive an allocation of $5,000 per month.'

Any other assets would ave to be use 'as jointly agreed between the parties to pay family expenses and debts.'

In addition, 'all assets received by Mr. Biden in lieu of income ... be placed into a safety deposit box accessible only by both parties.'

Finally, the motion asks that the court 'reserve the issue of [Hunter's] dissipation of marital assets' as we as 'reserve the issue of [Kathleen's] attorney's fees and costs with respect to this motion for a final merits hearing in the matter.'

When asked for comment about Kathleen's filing, Hunter's lawyer Sarah Mancinelli told DailyMail.com: 'Hunter and Kathleen have been separated for some time and are in the process of finalizing a divorce. Hunter loves and admires Kathleen as a person, a mother, and a friend. He hopes their privacy can be respected at this time. '

IV. JULY 4, 2015 CONDUCT

The relationship between the couple appeared to fall apart quickly after the death of Beau Biden in May of 2015.

July 4, 2015, is when Hunter allegedly committed the offense that Kathleen references in her divorce filing.

Hunter and Kathleen's minor daughter Maisy was not at their Washington DC home at the time, but instead in Los Angeles with her grandfather Joe and best friend Sasha Obama watching the World Cup.

Hallie's two children were also not home as her father-in-law also took along her son Hunter and daughter Natalie on the trip.

'His recent conduct creates situations that are unsafe or traumatic for the parties' children and his judgment, is frequently impaired,' wrote Kathleen in the filing.

It was then reported a month later in August of 2015 that a Robert Biden's name was found among the hacked records of users on the extramarital affair site Ashley Madison.

Hunter denied having an account on the site.

Two months after that report emerged however the couple formally separated, which would have also been right around the same time that Joe Biden announced he would not seek office.

Still there: Hallie was also wearing her wedding ring on Saturday afternoon when she stepped out in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania

Working in out: On Saturday, Kathleen was spotted going for a jog near her home in DC

V. CUSTODY

In her court filing Kathleen also said that her estranged husband 'has not provided sufficient support to meet the needs of [herself] and the children.'

She makes a point of noting however that he can be generous with money if he is spending it on himself.

Kathleen continues to live in the home she kicked Hunter out of in July 2015 with 16-year-old daughter Maisy.

Hunter is fighting her on custody, asking that he get joint physical and legal for Maisy.

Daughters Finnegan, 18, and Naomi, 23, do not feature as much in the divorce documents, though Kathleen does request support for the two older children.

She also asks for an amount above the standard in the district 'given the high income of Defendant, expenses of the children, and the family experience.'

Kathleen is also asking for attorneys fees, and promising 'reasonable visitation' between Hunter and Maisy.

'There is no expectation of reasonable possibility of a reconciliation between the parties,' states the filing, a claim that was made back in December but seems to ring even more true now given the news of Hunter's new romance.

VI. HUNTER AND HALLIE ROMANCE

It was revealed on Wednesday that Hallie and her brother-in-law Hunter were romantically involved, a little less than two years after Beau passed away at the age of 46 from brain cancer.

This unusual situation seemed like like the kind of thing no politician would ever want to address, but former vice president Joe Biden went on the record to say that he is in complete support of the relationship.

Soon after, Hallie's father Ron Olivere echoed that sentiment in an interview with Delaware Online , saying he 'stands with the Bidens' before adding: 'I'm in total support of the family and what they've gone through and what they continue to go through.'

Friends of the Biden family felt a bit different however, with multiple people revealing they have not idea Hallie and Hunter had been having an affair.

Page Six was the first to break the news of the relationship between Hallie and Hunter.

In a statement Hunter said of the relationship: 'Hallie and I are incredibly lucky to have found the love and support we have for each other in such a difficult time, and that's been obvious to the people who love us most. We've been so lucky to have family and friends who have supported us every step of the way.'

Joe and Dr. Jill Biden said in their statement: 'We are all lucky that Hunter and Hallie found each other as they were putting their lives together again after such sadness. They have mine and Jill's full and complete support and we are happy for them.'

The two have been spotted together a number of times since Beau's death in May 2015, but never alone.

On to the next one: Hunter is now dating his brother Beau's widow Hallie (pair above in August)

Hallie became closer to Hunter during the cancer battle that took the life of her husband Beau (pictured with Halie in 2011), a family friend said

Separation time: This photograph was taken in October 2015, the same month that Hunter (left) split from his wife Kathleen. He and Hallie (center) are now in a relationship with the blessing of Joe (right)

Tribute to Beau: Hunter Biden, Hallie Biden, Joe and Jill Biden and Beau's children Hunter and Natalie unveiled a memorial to the dead man in August 2016 near the village of Sojevo, in Kosovo. Beau had worked in the country after its 1998-99 war

VII. HUNTER & HALLIE HEAD TO KOSOVO

Hunter and Hallie took a trip to Kosovo in August of last year with her two children Natalie and Hunter, where they joined Joe and Dr. Jill for the dedication of a highway in Beau's name.

The pair stayed close to one another in photos of the trip, and later Joe spoke sabut how much he loved his son and daughter-in-law during his speech.

'Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, you've been sitting a long time in the hot sun here. If I were smart, which I'm not, I'd say thank you and sit down and let you all go,' said Joe.

'But on behalf of the Biden family - Beau's mom, Jill, and Beau's sister - my sister, Beau's second mother, Aunt Val, who is here with me, and Beau's brother, the love of my life, Hunter Biden, who has had Beau's back every single moment Beau was alive.

'And to his beautiful, brave, and I mean this sincerely, courageous wife, Hallie, and to my two grandchildren, Hunter and Natalie.

'You said it right, Mr. Prime Minister, this is sort of a bittersweet moment. We are extremely, extremely, extremely grateful and we're humbled beyond words.'

Joe went on to share a story about hois grief after Beau's death, and how Hunter helped him move on.

'Hunter, looked at me and he said, Dad, from this point on, we've got to focus on what we gained. We've got to focus on what Beau was about and devote our lives to making fulfilled what he fought so hard for,' said Joe.

'That's how Hunter and I - that's how my family views this day.'

VIII. HUNTER & HALLIE HAMPTONS GETAWAY

Hallie and Hunter did get close for a brief moment however back in August while attending the Blue Dream Summer Gala in Southampton, New York.

The event, hosted by the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons, honored the Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children, and when the family was on stage accepting the award Hallie and Hunter could be seen with their arms around on another.

They were joined by almost the entire Biden family that night, including Joe and Jill, Hunter's half-sister Ashley, and Joe's sister Valerie.

Photos id the evening reveal that all three of Hunter's children were at the event, and in one photo his oldest girls Naomi and Finnegan look less than thrilled to be sitting next to their aunt.

Hunter and Hallie were the honorary chairs at the event that evening, along with Ashley.

Just like in Kosovo, Joe again praised the two.

IX. MICHELLE OBAMA AND KATHLEEN DC DINNER

Not present however was Kathleen, who that same weekend was spotted enjoying dinner and a few drinks with her best friend back in Washington DC - then-First Lady Michelle Obama.

The Washingtonian spotted the two ladies dining at Chez Billy Sud in Georgetown, with the two women sitting on the back patio with another friend.

Michelle and Kathleen have a lot in common, with both women being lawyers and having grown up in Chicago.

And their two daughters, Sasha and Maisy, are best friends who play on the same sports teams and both attend Sidwell Friends School in DC.

Michelle and Kathleen have frequently been spotted out together, and this past April Michelle lent her White House star power to a Voices Against Violence event being hosted by Kathleen for the DC Volunteer Lawyers Project, a non-profit that helps victims of domestic abuse.

Kathleen is on the advisory board for the organization, and apparently made no mention of her split from Hunter as a post from just this past January of Joe Biden identified Kathleen as his daughter-in-law.

She did not however make the guest list for the final state dinner the following month, when Michelle and Barack welcomed a select few this past October while Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and his wife Agnese Landini were in DC.

Hunter did make the list, though it is unclear who he took as his guest.

Court filing: Kathleen Biden filed a Motion to Enjoin Dissipation of Assets in February to try and freeze her estranged husband Hunter's assets after growing concerned with his reckless spending (Hunter and Ashley above in April 2016, six months after they separated)

In the dark: Friends of the Biden family said they had no idea this affair was going on, and were also shocked Hunter and his wife Kathleen split in October of 2015 (Kathleen and Michelle Obama above in April)

Broken family: Kathleen is asking for Hunter to provide support paytments for their three children that are above the standard DC rate (l to r: Finnegan, Hunter, Maisy, Joe, Dr, Jill and Kathleen)

Great night: Hunter's daughters Finnegan and Naomi seemed less then thrilled at an event this past August with Hallie (above)

X. HUNTER'S CAREER

Hunter is the youngest son of Joe and his first wife Neilia, who was killed in a car crash along with Hunter's sister when he was still a baby.

Hunter and Beau were in the car but managed to survive the tragic accident.

Joe would later marry Jill and have another child, giving Hunter and Beau a half-sister, Ashley.

The family grew up in Wilmington, Delaware, with Hunter doing well at school and going on to college at Georgetown where he received his bachelor's and then on to Yale for his law degree.

It was after he graduated from law school that he met Kathleen while the two were part of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps.

They were married soon after and in 2001 Biden founded a law firm in Washington DC, Oldaker, Biden, and Belair.

William Oldaker had been Joe's treasurer and general counsel at the time Hunter came on and joined the firm, slapping his name up with the other two men.

Prior to that he worked as a presidential appointee in the Department of Commerce in the Clinton White House, and some called into question the amount of lobbying Hunter did at his firm.

Hunter registered to lobby for small universities, hospitals, and drug research companies that were hoping to get earmarks and other appropriations in 2003, but never lobbied his father's office according to both men.

He became a member of the Amtrak Reform Board in 2006 and received a directorship with the investments firm Eudora Global.

In 2007 he also briefly became the interim CEO of Paradigm Global Advisors, which he controlled along with his father's brother James.

His next big move came in May 2013 when he was appointed to a post in the U.S. Naval Reserve as a direct commission officer despite no prior experience.

Hunter was gone in less than a year though, booted in February 2014 for testigm positive for cocaine.

Next, he grabbed a job at Burisma Holdings, joining the board of directors for the Ukrainian natural-gas company that is lousy with Russian sympathizers and supporters.

These days, he works at the investment banking and private investment firm Rosemont Seneca Partners.

Their offices are located in New York City and he lives in Washington DC.