Group of a figure and objects

1. Is there a way to remove a group?  I no longer need that group but would like to have everything in the group remain as they are.

2. Is there a wat to greate a group such that objects and figures keep their position and orientation relative to other members of the group.

3. Is there a way to have a part of a figure as a part of a group.  Think of a hammer and the hand holding it as a single group. I would like to swing the hammer and not have to reposition the hand, they should move together.  I tried the mcasual script and have not found it to be satisfactory.