A Quick Tutorial on Our Legal System.

In case you did not know, the legal system in forty-nine of the American states was inherited from the English.  (Louisiana follows the French legal system.)  In medieval times things were simple across the pond.  The King owned everything and the laws protected royalty over the commoners.  Commoners were called “vassals” and essentially had no rights.  Enter the Church of England.  Following its creation, courts were created to resolve disputes that the King did not have time for. The ecclesiastical courts followed a different set of rules; designed to bestow fairness and equity rather than to protect the property rights of the nobility. 

When America’s court system came into existence, the courts looked to English common law to establish precedents, integrating both rules of law and rules of equity.  Some English laws were codified into statutes.  What does any of this have to do with Washington’s Marriage Dissolution Act?  This is an area where law and equity overlap.  In the Evergreen State we have a 90-day waiting period before a dissolution may be finalized. That is a rule of law.  On the other hand, the Act provides that the community and separate property of the parties is to be divided fairly and equitably.

In a system where black-letter law does not spell out how financial issues are to be resolved, a qualified Washington dissolution of marriage attorney is a must to represent you properly.  That person in Bellevue is Lyle Clark.  Attorney Clark has been a Seattle area family lawyer for nearly 4 decades.  For professional advice on all family law matters call Lyle today at (425) 452-3092.

The Subject of Maintenance (Alimony) in Washington State.

This area of divorce is one of the most interesting and malleable as it affects every couple in a different way.  Years ago, a Washington judge by the name of Robert Winsor defined three separate categories of marriages.  They are short term (7 years or less), mid-term, and long-term (25 to 30 years or longer, depending on the ages of the parties).  His article has been cited in appellate court decisions, and it has become a benchmark in determining alimony or “maintenance” within the state.

The most difficult of these to determine is the mid-term marriage of say, 8 to 25 years.  There are so many variables, not the least of which is good old Uncle Sam.  You see, the person receiving the maintenance (alimony) must pay taxes on that amount while the one providing it may deduct it from their income tax return.  Now, there’s something to consider!

The subject of alimony or maintenance in the state of Washington needs to be discussed and handled by someone who has had decades of experience in dealing with it.  In Bellevue, WA may we recommend that you seek the council of Washington state divorce lawyer Lyle Clark.  Discover more about all of your options regarding maintenance by calling Attorney Clark at his office at (425) 452-3092.

Divorce in the State of Washington.

Let’s keep it simple and basic.  If one of the couples seeking a dissolution of marriage lives in the Evergreen State, they can file for divorce without the consent of the other partner.  Washington is what is called a “no fault divorce state”.  Save your energy.  Gone are the days when you have to prove fault or demean your former partner just to end the union.

You may question WHERE you file.  That would be in the county where you or your spouse resides.  How long does the process take?  The minimum waiting period in the state is 90 days.  It will take at least that long for what is known as the Decree of Dissolution to be entered.  However, be prepared that if there are any contested issues it will be a longer process.

For the least stressful method of filing for a dissolution of marriage you need a qualified veteran divorce attorney.  In Bellevue, Washington that is 35 year professional Lyle Clark.  Attorney Clark is a Seattle area dissolution of marriage attorney in the State of Washington.  If you wish to begin the process today, please give Lyle a call at (425) 452-3092.

Knowing More about Wills and Probate.

Besides that taxes thing, one other thing that is certain in this life is death.  It comes to everyone eventually and whether you are prepared for it or not, what happens after your time on this earth matters to your loved ones.  You would never consider abandoning your family while you are here, but do you want them to have peace of mind and security when you are gone?

There are some common misunderstandings about this topic.  Among them are - 

1.  The state gets it all.  Not by law, even without a will, but carefully preparing a will makes sure that your wishes are carried out.

2.  Time.  It does NOT take years to resolve probate.

3.  I will have nothing left to give.  You might be surprised.

4.  I am the oldest child so I will get all of my parent’s estate.

5.  The cost of probate will eat up my estate.  Really???  Certainly not in the state of Washington.

Find out for yourself.  Cut through the questions about wills and probate by calling a professional with over 35 years in this business.  He is Bellevue, Washington will and probate attorney Lyle Clark.  If you have a question regarding what to do with your possessions when you are no longer with us then call attorney Lyle M. Clark, Jr. at (425) 452-3092.

Considering Divorce in the State of Washington?

It is one of the most impactful decisions you will ever make, especially if there are minor children in the home.  Please give it careful consideration.  In Washington state divorce is officially called “dissolution of marriage”.  Note that common law marriage is not recognized by the court system.  However, it is important to note that a court may divide up property acquired during a relationship when it finds that the partners have lived in a quasi-marital situation.  Marriage between partners of the same sex is recognized in Washington, as are Domestic partnerships.  Either may be dissolved with the same process as a marriage dissolution.

Here is some of what you may expect.  The court will consider all of the family’s liabilities as well as its assets, whether owned separately or acquired during the marriage as community property.  Their task is to be “fair and equitable,” which does not necessarily translate into “equal”.  One of the spouses (partners) may be required to pay maintenance (alimony).  And perhaps most importantly, the dependent children will have residency and visitation decisions made on their behalf.

All of this is stressful enough.  To go into the process without a trained veteran family law lawyer on your side is just plain folly.  In the Seattle area the right choice is Bellevue, WA divorce attorney Lyle M. Clark Jr.  For more than 35 years he has dealt with all matters of Washington state family law.  Begin this important process in your life by calling Lyle at (425) 452-3092.

Minors Applying for SSI

If you need to apply for SSI for someone under the age of 18 you need to know some of the rules.  The first step will be to complete an application for Supplemental Security Income AND a child disability report.  In this report you will delineate the specific disabling condition of the child and how it affects their ability to function.

Here are some helpful steps to begin your journey –

1.  Look over the Child Disability Starter Kit.  You will have basic questions answered and have a worksheet from which to work.

2.  Contact your local Social Security office.  Find out if you are within the income limits to start the process.

3.  Fill out the report online.  You will be asked for a medical release to allow Social Security to obtain records from the child’s doctor(s) in order to assess the nature of the disability.

The legal issues relating to child’s disability claims are complex.  If your application is denied you need to seek the counsel of someone who is intimately familiar with the process.  In the Seattle area that man is Lyle M. Clark Jr.  Lyle is a professional SSI attorney located in Bellevue, WA.  Tap into his more than three and a half decades of experience on matters of obtaining SSI benefits for a minor by calling (425) 452-3092.

Legal Separation vs. Divorce.

The distinction can be very confusing.  This decision will be one of the most important of your life.  Divorce or legal separation.  Which is best for you and your family?  It is essential to educate yourself on the legal and emotional effects that both possibilities will have on your future.  If you decide to hold off on filing for divorce, making your separation legal is also important to fully understand … it is not just a matter of leaving the household.

In Washington State, a legal separation proceeding is identical to a marriage dissolution, except that the court does not dissolve the marriage.  Your finances are kept separate.  Things like child custody and support as well as spousal maintenance may be ordered by the court.  When you divorce, the marriage is formally ended and you may proceed with your life including marrying someone else.  With a legal separation you obviously cannot remarry. However, a decree of legal separation may be converted to a decree of marriage dissolution later on upon the request of either party.

There is a great deal more to understand from an experienced family attorney.  Before you make an important life-changing decision in the Seattle area call on Lyle M. Clark Jr., a professional family law attorney located in Bellevue, WA.  Call him on matters of family law and tap in to his 35+ years of experience at (425) 452-3092.

Smart Estate Planning.

When you are thinking ahead you are usually thinking smart.  Planning for the future of your family after you are gone is certainly no exception.  Who makes those future vital decisions that celebrate a life well lived?  Start with a clearly crafted, will written with all of the i’s dotted and t’s crossed and you have already achieved great peace of mind.

Some things to remember as you do –

1.  Don’t forget life insurance.  You don’t want expenses to pile up on your loved ones.

2.  We recommend durable powers of attorney so that someone can manage your financial affairs and make medical decisions for you if you are incapacitated.

3.  Discuss probate with your attorney.  Probate in Washington State CAN be as simple as filling out some forms and paying a few hundred dollars to have the papers filed.

All of this is the purvey of an experienced attorney.  That is why you call on the veteran expertise of someone who has been dealing with estates in the Seattle area for 35 years.  That man is Lyle M. Clark Jr. - a professional estate planning attorney located in Bellevue WA.  Call him on matters of estate planning from start to finish at (425) 452-3092.

Make Your Labor Day Weekend Plans!

Labor Day Weekend Events!  

(Follow the link above for more information)

"The 2016 Labor Day Weekend takes place September 2-5th. There are many great Seattle and Washington events all weekend including festivals, free concerts, movies, and more."

Get out and enjoy your weekend! 

 

The Differences Between SSDI and SSI.

Perhaps the most important thing to understand is that both SSDI and SSI are for disabled individuals seeking cash benefits due to inability to work.  These two programs differ, however when it comes to financial eligibility.  SSDI stands for Social Security Disability Insurance.  SSI, on the other hand, is Supplemental Security Income.

While both SSDI and SSI require medical proof that a claimant is unable to work, the two programs have different financial qualifications.  SSI is a “need based” program for people of Washington State and throughout America.  It has nothing to do with work history, but rather is available to people without other sources of income and assets from which to support themselves.  SSDI gets its funding by levying taxes on everyone’s payroll.  By working over many years you have “contributed” to this fund and may be entitled to benefits while you remain disabled or until you reach your full retirement age.

The layman would never be expected to know all of the ins-and-outs of SSDI and SSI.  This is why you should call on the professional expertise of someone who has been dealing with their nuances for three and a half decades. In the Seattle area that man is Lyle M. Clark Jr., an experienced SSDI and SSI attorney.  Call him on any and all of these matters at (425) 452-3092.

Some of the Reasons for a Prenuptial Agreement.

Some months ago in this space we defined the prenuptial agreement.  Today let’s look at its pros.  For people with large estates the division of property in the event of a divorce can have an impact on their heirs after death.  This is especially true when BOTH parties have property that they do not wish to have co-mingled.  Property distribution and the assignment of debt are at issue if the union dissolves.

Personal issues such as child support and child custody are NOT part of a prenuptial agreement.  The court has the power to decide those issues based on the laws at the time of the divorce.  What ARE valid subjects, however, are real estate, business interests, significant retirement benefits, stock options, and other investments.  Some people may want to provide for their children from a previous marriage.  To be valid and enforceable, however, a prenuptial agreement must be carefully drafted.

In the future we will discuss the cons of a prenuptial agreement.  In the meantime, please know this…for more than three and a half decades Attorney Lyle M. Clark has been advising people seeking divorce in the Seattle area.  You and a generation before you have known him as a Bellevue WA divorce attorney.  Call him on any family legal matter at (425) 452-3092.

What is a Living Trust?

A trust is one way to hold and manage one’s estate. There are two ways to create a trust:  Either in a will (a testamentary trust) or by means of a written trust agreement (a living trust) that takes effect when you transfer property into the trust.  A living trust is a legal document that can act as a substitute for a will.  The function of this document is to put your assets into the trust so that they may be administered according to your wishes during your lifetime.  When you pass away these assets transfer to your beneficiaries without the necessity of probate.

 

Here are some questions to ask yourself before deciding if a living trust is right for you…

1.  What does a living trust do for ME?

2.  Is it helpful if I become incapacitated?
3.  Who should I appoint as the trustee?
4.  How will my assets transfer to the living trust?
5.  What are the negatives concerning this type of trust?

If you are considering drafting a living trust, contact the law office of Lyle M. Clark Jr.  Sit down for a free consultation with Attorney Clark and he will help you decide the right course of action.

For 35+ years he has been the choice of many as a Bellevue, WA area estate planning attorney.  Pick up the phone and dial Lyle at (425) 452-3092 for any and all questions about wills and trusts in Washington.

Choosing the Right Divorce Attorney.

You are emotionally distressed.  Never in your life have you faced this before.  You have decided to get a divorce in the state of Washington.  Please understand the semantics first and foremost.  In the Evergreen State it is known as a “dissolution of marriage”.  Please take a deep breath and make the correct decision in hiring the right representation to suit your needs and personality.

At a time like this, too many people just go to the internet and look up a list of family lawyers who serve the Seattle and Bellevue area.  This could be a financial and emotional mistake.  Take a minute.  Do you want someone who has handled divorce cases in the area for well over three decades?  Do you want someone who will give you his full attention and not just hand your case off to a junior partner?

Consider the law office of Lyle M. Clark Jr.  When you sit down for a free consultation with Mr. Clark he will listen to your situation with compassion and understanding.  There is not much that he has not encountered in his 35+ years of handling Bellevue area dissolution of marriage cases.  After you have considered all of the variables pick up the phone and dial Lyle at (425) 452-3092.

The Bellevue Collection Bellevue Family 4th

Bellevue Family 4th

(Follow link above for more information)

 

July 4th - 2pm - 10:30pm

 

Celebrating 25 years of the Eastside's most dazzling 4^th of July fireworks extravaganza!

The Eastside’s largest 4th of July event in Bellevue Downtown Park will honor America’s birthday for the 25th consecutive year, featuring a live performance by the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra and a spectacular fireworks display.

 

 

Why Have a Trust?

Why is having a trust important to you?  The very name indicates strength doesn’t it?  Some of the chief advantages of having a trust are as follows:

1.  To make sure that your worldly possessions are properly allocated when you pass away.

2.  To reduce those nasty gift and estate taxes.

3.  For proper distribution to your heirs in the amounts that YOU see fit.

4.  To make sure that lawsuits cannot deplete the estate.

5.  For naming a trustee that can speak for you after you are gone.

Trusts are many and varied and a qualified attorney will break them down for you.  The cost of setting up a trust is also varied and will depend on such variables as setting up a will, a living will, and a health care proxy for example.  You must protect your assets in the name of the trust.  Anything that is not titled may go to someone you did not intend when you die.

Whom do you “trust” to formulate your trust?  For over three and a half decades that man in Bellevue Washington is Seattle area personal estate attorney Lyle Clark.  Attorney Clark has handled hundreds of wills and trusts from his office located at 40 Lake Bellevue Suite 100.  Get the peace of mind you deserve and make an appointment by calling (425) 452-3092.

What is Collaborative Divorce in the State of Washington?

Is collaborative divorce right for you and your spouse?  It has become a popular new alternative to traditional divorce in this country.  It is best described as a method by which both parties come to an agreement through cooperative techniques.  Everyone tries to resolve conflicts without litigation having to be a part of what can become a messy process at best.

In the beginning both attorneys and their representatives sign what is known as a “Participation Agreement”.  This is understood as a pact that the issues of the dissolution will be settled in a non-adversarial manner.  Both parties trust that their respective attorneys will assist them in reaching a settlement without the expense of court costs.

In finding the perfect attorney to assist you as your representative look for someone who wants his clients to avoid expensive fees and costs.  Preferably that will be a veteran of Seattle-area family law who has seen every side of the issue of divorce for more than 35 years.  That choice is clear.  Place a call to Bellevue WA collaborative divorce attorney Lyle Clark today at (425) 452-3092.

12 Ways to Rock Your Memorial Day Weekend

12 Ways to Rock Your Memorial Day Weekend

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"We know many Seattle families will be hitting the highways and mountain passes this Memorial Day Weekend with cars packed full of camping gear. But for those families sticking close to home (you know who you are… been there, done that, never again with little ones), we’ve rounded up 12 activities to keep everyone in your crew happy and entertained over the three-day weekend."

Drafting a Proper Will in the State of Washington.

Drafting a will is like pre-arranging a funeral.  Nobody wants to think about it, but those that plan ahead are saving their loved ones a great deal of angst in the future.  Why even draft a will?  Well, what happens to a lifetime of possessions is out of your control if you don’t.  Now is the time to protect the people you care about the most from an uncertain financial future.

Fortunately, in Washington state if a will has to go to probate because property is involved the process is less expensive and less complicated than in other areas of the country.  In other states the courts get involved in the process.  In the Evergreen state the courts keep their nose out of the proceedings unless there are issues that are being contested.

Before you begin the process of drafting a will know this - it is a complex and important process.  You definitely should seek the assistance of a lawyer.  Once you have made the correct decision then be careful and choose the right one.  Attorney Lyle Clark has been practicing estate and probate law for more than 35 years.  Enough said…experience counts.  Call Lyle Clark today at (425) 452-3092.

Negotiating a Separation Agreement in the State of Washington.

Washington State law provides for two types of separation contracts.  One is filed with a court in a marriage dissolution or legal separation proceeding and is incorporated by reference into a decree of dissolution or legal separation.  The other type is for people who want a trial separation without court proceedings.  It is intended to put creditors on notice that the couple is no longer functioning as a marital community and that neither will be responsible for the debts of the other spouse during the separation.

Negotiating the terms of a separation agreement is both a complex legal matter and one that can be very stressful.  It should never be taken lightly because it may affect the rest of your life.  When divorce or separation is unavoidable, clear-thinking adults are required to work out as many details as they can mutually before it goes into a written document. There are many issues that will need to be addressed in as rational a manner as possible, such as:

1.)        How much is the house worth and how will it be disposed of?

2.)        Is there a family business?  If so, what is the value of it? Should it be appraised?

3.)        How should retirement benefits, such as pensions, 401-K’s or IRA’s be treated?

4.)        Is there other property that should be appraised?

5.)        What is the fairest way to divide the property and debts of the parties?

6.)        What happens to family pets, if any?

Do not let pettiness or anger dictate what will happen during the next several years of your life.  Talk to a professional negotiator about your marriage separation rights.  Family law attorney Lyle Clark has been practicing family law in Bellevue and the State of Washington for over 35 years.  Sit down with Lyle Clark at his office and talk about your situation frankly by making an appointment at (425) 452-3092.

Seattle's Opening Day - May 7th, 2016

Opening Day

<click above link for more information>

 

 
 



May 7th, 2016
Seattle Opening Day, the official opening of Seattle's boating season.




 

What is the Probate Process?

Very simply probate is a legal process that may be required after an individual passes away.  Here are the steps that must be taken during probate:

1.  You must petition the Superior Court to be appointed as personal representative and prove in court that the deceased person’s will is valid.

2.  You must identify and make an inventory of the decedent’s property.

3.  You must have assigned a value to all of the property, which may mean that you will need to have it appraised.

4.  You must pay from the estate’s funds all taxes and other obligations relating to the property and any other debts owed by the deceased individual at the time of death.

The executor of the will must manage all of the assets during the probate process.  Because title to property does not transfer automatically, even a perfectly drafted will does not avoid the need for probate in order to obtain clear title to the assets. However, if the decedent signed a community property agreement, it may be possible to avoid probate upon the death of the first spouse.

Seattle probate attorney Lyle Clark can prepare wills, powers of attorney and healthcare directives for you.  If you are proactive you can avoid a great deal of time and expense in the future.  Rely on the 35+ years of experience that Attorney Clark has had with estate planning and probate.  Set up a meeting at his Bellevue office today by giving him a call at (425) 452-3092.

Defining the Term Divorce in the State of Washington.

Since 1973 the State of Washington has not used the word divorce to describe the legal process for ending a marriage.  The Washington State legislature adopted the Marriage Dissolution Act, which was designed to eliminate the concept of fault from marital proceedings.  The Act abolished the need to prove fault as the grounds for terminating a marriage and did away with the concept of alimony in favor of spousal maintenance.

Marriage dissolution is essentially the same thing as divorce except that “fault” also has no bearing on the division of property or the award of maintenance.  If a marriage is irretrievably broken, then there are grounds for the dissolution of marriage.  If, however, one of the parties desires to contest the dissolution, he or she can petition the court for conciliation, which is in effect forced marriage counseling through the Family Court.

Understanding divorce law in the Evergreen state can be a complicated matter.  You need the expertise of a veteran Seattle family attorney like Lyle M. Clark, Jr.  Attorney Clark will put his more than three decades of experience with the law to work for you to make sure that your side is represented aggressively.  Call Lyle Clark and make an appointment at his Bellevue office right away at (425) 452-3092.

What Is a Prenuptial Agreement?

You may have heard it referred to as a prenup.  It is a contract that you enter into prior to marriage that defines concerning ownership of property both before and after marriage.  No matter what the genders of the partners a prenup may or may not be right for you.

A prenuptial agreement has a wide variety of possibilities.  Commonly it includes the division of property and support of one spouse or the other in the event of a dissolution of the marriage (i.e. divorce).   In the State of Washington, the law gives individuals broad discretion to define their property rights.  Variations on prenuptial agreements include post-nuptial agreements, separate property agreements, co-habitation agreements, and separation agreements.

Prenuptial agreements are recognized, but are not always enforced.  To be valid, the agreement must be fair to both sides.  There must be full disclosure of all assets and their values before entering into the agreement.  Each party should seek separate attorney representation before signing the agreement.  The agreement must be in writing, signed and notarized.  Remember that oral prenups are not valid.

It is important to find an attorney with many decades of handling prenuptial agreements in the Seattle area.  Contact the office of Lyle Clark today at (425) 452-3092.  Have a frank and open discussion with him about the merits of this important document in your future.  Get a thorough explanation of all the elements that go into a prenuptial agreement.

What are the Fault Grounds of a Divorce?

There is the dissolution of a marriage and there is divorce.  The gender of each partner now has no bearing on either in the state of Washington.  In order to obtain a divorce in the state one of the parties has to prove that the other has been at fault under one of the statutory grounds.  So exactly what are the fault grounds of a divorce?

Fault grounds are described as reasons that are commonly accepted in which one spouse takes the other to court to ask for a divorce.  By law these may include adultery, willingly being absent for more than 12 months, extreme cruelty, habitual abuse of alcohol and/or other substances and more examples that may defined by your divorce attorney.

To discover any and all of the fault grounds in the state of Washington you need to seek the council of a family lawyer with three and a half decades of experience in handling divorce cases.  Contact the office of Lyle Clark today at (425) 452-3092.  Have a frank and open discussion with someone who will not judge, but help you make the proper decision.  Make that call TODAY!

Estate Planning Is for Everyone.

Much as we might not wish to think about our own mortality, each of us will die at some point.  Did you think that estate planning was designed for people like Bill Gates or Paul Allen?  Of course it isn’t just for the very wealthy.  A modest or mid-sized estate is just as important to the people who own it and benefit from it.  Now is the time to get serious about building an effective plan for the disposition of your estate following your death.

Estate planning may involve a variety of issues such as the drafting of a simple will.  Also to be considered are contingent trusts for minor children and the appointment of guardians for them.  If someone has special needs, a trust will for the support of disabled persons may be required.  And how about living trusts for persons who need assistance in managing their assets or who own property in states other than Washington?  Estate planning may also include powers of attorney for financial management and healthcare in the event of a disability and directives to physicians if you should at some point be in a permanent vegetative state and unable to express your wishes for termination of life support.

Dispensing a lifetime of accumulated possessions should be one of your top priorities.  Attorney Lyle M. Clark has been helping people with estate planning in the Seattle area for more than 35 years.  He understands every nuance of the process to give you the peace of mind that you deserve.  Contact Lyle Clark today at (425) 452-3092 and make an appointment to discuss your estate at his Bellevue office.

What are my Spousal Support Options?

Divorce is the dissolution of a marriage and not the end of your obligation to your former spouse.  In most divorce cases one partner is more financially viable than the other.  Because of this the less well-off partner is entitled to equitable financial compensation to help them cope financially with their new post-divorce lifestyle.

Spousal support is established to recognize one individual’s support given during the union even though it was not an equal sharing of expenses.  Alimony, by the way is available ONLY to those that have been legally married.  You may anticipate that the court will award financial assistance based on factors such as the duration of the marriage, each person's earning capacity, contribution to household or career, and physical health of the recipient.

How does spousal support effect you in the state of Washington?  Hear the facts from someone who has represented divorcees in the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett area for nearly 35 years.  That man is Attorney Lyle M. Clark.  Do not hesitate another minute call Attorney Clark at (425) 452-3092 and make an appointment to visit him at his office located at 40 Lake Bellevue Suite 100 in Bellevue WA.

The Difference Between an Annulment and a Divorce.

We have all heard these two words.  They are the primary ways to legally end a marriage.  Many of us, however, are hazy on what constitutes an annulment, which in Washington State is referred to as a declaration of invalidity of marriage.  Annulment is a legal procedure which cancels a marriage between couples.  On the surface that seems simple doesn’t it?  But how does an annulment differ from a divorce?

Annulling a marriage is similar to saying that the marriage never existed.  An annulment may be sought by either party, however he or she must show that they have grounds to do so and be able to prove it in court.  There are two types of marriages that may be annulled: Ones that are void and ones that are voidable.  For example, a marriage between a person who is already married and another person is void.  Likewise, a marriage between a 21-year old and a 14-year old is void because a 14-year old cannot legally marry in Washington.  Upon reaching the legal age (18), however, that marriage would become voidable if the parties remain together.  A marriage conceived under fraudulent circumstances is also voidable.  For example, if a man doing time in prison for homicide escapes and marries a woman without telling her about his criminal past, she can have the marriage declared invalid when she learns about it.

What is right for you?  The proper way to discover this is to seek professional council in these matters.  Seattle area Divorce attorney Lyle M. Clark Jr. will help you sort through your choices between divorce and annulment.  Attorney Clark has over 30 years of experience dealing with family law matters.  Make an appointment at his office at 40 Lake Bellevue Suite 100 in Bellevue by calling (425) 452-3092.

Make a Will this New Year.

Now that you have gathered with the family for the holidays you may be reminded about how much you wish to protect them when you are gone.  Drawing up a will can sometimes be like pre-planning a funeral.  It is something that we put off and put off then suddenly the need arises and we may not be of sound mind and body.  Making a will is a New Year’s resolution worth keeping.

It is difficult to find a lawyer that you can trust with your most interpersonal issues.  You need to be able to speak openly and frankly about your wishes for your estate whatever size it may be after you are gone.  You must find someone who cares as much about each decision you make as you do concerning the estate you have accumulated.

In the Seattle area the right person to trust with this delicate matter is Attorney Lyle M. Clark.  For over 35 years he has strived to make the process of wills, trusts, and probate as safe and secure as it can possibly be.  Start 2016 with a phone call to Lyle Clark and arrange a free consultation at his office at 40 Lake Bellevue Suite 100 in Bellevue WA by calling (425) 452-3092.