As already stated above - GET A LAWYER - before you do anything. Everyone here is trying to be helpful, but the only legal advise to safely follow is the one from the attorney you hire (or is provided pro bono, if you qualify). Hope this all works out well for you. To those not in the U.S.: It all balances out doesn't it? You either pay for it up front or pay for it through heavy taxes. In general (very general) the cost of living is less here also.