Don't try to go from noob to RE pro in one step - that's a recipe for disaster, you will look like one of those new money lottery winning fools

More security might make her more comfortable with RE investing.There's no such thing as getting rich quick, unless you win the lottery, in my opinion. 

The only people who are able to do that are the people who sell seminars and books to people hoping to win the lottery without having to actually work.

Even assuming you were able to file against the wife, and take it all the way to a judgment - unless she wins the lottery or finds a well-paying job (unlikely), you won't see a dime of repayment from her. 

I'm looking at this one as similar to buying lottery tickets: maybe it will pay off some day, but probably not!

But, you'll have to gauge their willingness.The trick is to make them feel like they sort of won the lottery compared to what they were expecting to happen.  

Now I'd recommend buying some lottery tickets since you have some good karma to cash in on.  

I figure if I get three tenants from carpet I have won the rental carpet lottery.  

How do casinos and state lotteries profit or fund everything they promise to fund? 

I really don't see a way to invest in my local market unless I win the lottery, join a company that IPOs, or partner with another investor to get into a more expensive property (I would prefer to have a few investments under my belt before doing that).