I'm curious what advise other long term hold investors, specifically with more experience than us, have about transitioning from live-in homeowner to landlord? 

I need your advise.

Thats the best piece of advise I can give you. 

Other's are necessary to maintain the value of the house, like the gardener.But I have been advised to pay all the bills in order to keep her name from being on anything so that if it ends up in court, my case for evicting her will be easier to win.

Please advise. 

That's what I would advise.

Readers are advised to seek professional advice.

I realize you are determined to move ahead at this point, but just be careful because renting to relatives often has problems and most any investor will advise against it.

They can advise on some of the ways that claimants have broken through the corporate veil (ie. comingled funds, etc.)

A good local Realtor can help you with that.The advise that @Bjorn Ahlblad gave you above is categorically wrong and depending on state law, can land you in a world of hurt.For example, I can tell you with 100% certainty that in Massachusetts (I'm also licensed there), if there is a child 6 or younger living in the home, the owner MUST test for and remediate lead paint.