In Virginia, for example, it's my understanding (not a lawyer) that if there are children of the deceased not related to the surviving spouse and no will, they would be entitled to a share of the estate, and it could be so even if it was held as joint tenancy, so would likely need to be resolved in court. 

Your partner who is using silicone on a drywall joint, not staggering flooring and painting door knobs is actually not saving any time by cutting corners.

I could do hours of "research" on the ol' interwebs, build pro-formas, but still end up thinking "yikes" driving through the neighborhood before I even reach the property.Just search for the best BBQ joint in the town and make a weekend trip out there to eat and drive by the place.

If you do add him to the lease, you should insert a clause that both tenants are jointly and severably liable for 100% of the rent, so if he doesn't pay, she's responsible for the whole amount and vice versa.

It would probably serve the OP best to put whatever extra income she can into the traditional 401k's and IRA's to at least get taxable income down to the 12% bracket--- $77,400 if her and her husband file jointly. 

Determine if you want to borrow their money and for how long and at what interest rate or determine if you want to Joint Venture and split the profits, they put up the money, you do all of the work.

She refused to file jointly before the divorce, so he filed after.

He signed the lease, and most leases should have a section on joint and severable liability meaning you could go after either or both parties.  

FHA security instruments require a borrower to establish bona fide occupancy in a home as the borrower’s principal residence within 60 days of signing the security instrument, with continued occupancy for at least one year.Any person individually or jointly owning a home covered by an FHA insured mortgage in which ownership is maintained may not purchase another principal residence with FHA insurance, except in certain situations as in relocation outside the commuting area of the original home, an increase in family size, getting a divorce from the co-borrower on the original FHA property, or was a non-occupying co-borrower on the original property.Those are excerpts from the actual FHA manual.  

Partners-Hard money, private money, joint venturesCreative Financing-owner finance, contract for deed, lease option, sandwich/master leasePersonally I'd check into the creative financing realm as that will cost you less and increase your ROI.