( I like the idea of a program because of the guaranteed rent but you are absolutely right, settling could come at the cost of peace of mind as well as financially. )Thank you for your insight and advice, its greatly appreciated. 

Prepare your personal financial statement.

Then maybe later you can request money from the tenant or throw yourself at the mercy of the courts. 

Save as much as you comfortably can without also depriving yourself too terribly much.If you have no savings and are highly leveraged, you're one bad situation from serious financial trouble instead of financial freedom.

I have a lot to learn.My goal:  to be a financially stable artist (ideally financially independent-ish).   

I really want to pursue financial freedom and I know the 1st deal is always the hardest step.Best Regards,Brian Tran

I believe we are ready to make some serious efforts to realize our path to financial freedom.So now here we sit with a small, but useable amount of capital and the will to invest, but a little lost.

Probate records are accessible to the public at the probate court office.

However nothing is ever guaranteed if it goes to court.

If she has a court order for child support, and the ex(s?)