J1 Visa Transfer To Green Card By Marriage In U.s.

[surfdog]

My girlfriend and I are thinking of marrying this year. She is Thai working in the states under a J1 visa. I just have a few questions about what to expect. We are both 27, I don't own property in the u.s., and i spend at least 1/2 of every year in thailand. Can anyone give me a few tips, expecially about what will the gov't be looking for on our parts, and also how long this can take, do we have to reside in the same state where applied, can she travel freely in the u.s. while waiting for green card approval? Thanks so much.