the patent office website is confusing and full of useless info as is other sites that I have googled

Google or your local library. There are a number of books that could be named "Patents of Dummies" no offense.

Frawg no offense taken...I for one sport the "for Dummies" books with pride. I even have one that is autographed by the author, lol

Way cool.

aponi the patent office fee listing is horrendus take a look

googled it in the past

at the end of it you will need a patent lawyer