Defining Divorce in the State of Washington.

As with most states, divorce has its own nuances in the Evergreen State.  Remember the days when you had to state a reason why you wanted to end your union with your spouse and then defend it in divorce court?  Those times created strife within a household as people grew apart and the minor children suffered in the process.

Here are some steps in the Washington State divorce process –

1.  It begins when you file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.

2.  The next step is to serve the petition or to have your spouse accept service.

3.  If both parties agree to all of the issues it is considered an uncontested divorce.

4.  Temporary orders may be filed to address certain specific issues.

In the Seattle area people have been represented in divorce proceedings for decades by Bellevue Family attorney Lyle M. Clark.  Divorce law is one of his areas of practice, as is Social Security Disability law.  We invite you to visit his website at www.lmclarkattorney.com and see if an appointment at his 40 Lake Bellevue office would be right for you.  Call (425) 452-3092.

Halloween Events and Festivities in Seattle

Halloween Events and Festivities in Seattle! 

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"Seattle & Washington Halloween Events, Parties, Costumes, Contests, Haunted Houses, Pictures"

 

 

 

SSI vs. SSD.

No, this is not the next big Star Wars movie.  These are the acronyms that stand for Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability (Also known as disability insurance benefits).  SSD is available to those that have accumulated a sufficient number of “work credits”.  SSI is available to those that may have never worked enough or not at all.

Supplemental Security Income is “need based”.  The funds come from a general tax fund NOT a trust fund…so they should last through our lifetimes.  Do you qualify for SSI?  Here is an important point…you must have under $2000 in assets ($3,000 if married).  When do benefits begin?  The answer is on the first month after you submit your application.

Knowing the ins and outs of SSI, SSD, and, oh yes another one abbreviated SSDI (we will delve into that later) can be complicated.  Lyle Clark is a Seattle area attorney that will help you navigate through these Social Security waters.  Why not give him a call and arrange for a meeting at his Bellevue office by calling (425) 452-3092.

Oktoberfest Northwest

Oktoberfest Northwest

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Oct. 6-8, 2017 - Washington State Fair Events Center - Puyallup

SSD and Your Family.

This is not some disease - Quite the opposite.  It may be a lifesaver for your family’s financial future.  It is the abbreviation for Social Security Disability.  Recently in this space we defined SSI which is Supplemental Security Income.  Let us take a quick look at disability income and its importance to your future.

SSDI, (often abbreviated as SSD) is a Social Security program that pays out monthly benefits if you become disabled BEFORE you reach retirement age and simply cannot work regularly. Some people know it as "workers disability."  How do you qualify?  Well, you must have worked at a job for a number of years and paid social security taxes.

If you are under-employed or unemployed due to a debilitating condition it is probably time to look into SSD for your family’s future well-being.  In Washington State and particularly in Bellevue, Attorney Lyle M. Clark may have the answers that you seek.  He is a Bellevue, WA social security disability lawyer.  Call him today at (425) 452-3092.

Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery by Ken Ludwig, Sept 8th - 24th

Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery by Ken Ludwig

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Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery by Ken Ludwig

September 8 – 24, 2017

WADE JAMES THEATRE

950 Main Street

Edmonds, WA 98020

Thursday – Saturday at 8pm; Sundays at 2pm

Single show tickets: $25 for Junior, Senior & Military; $28 for Adults 19 – 59

A Short SSI Tutorial.

What does SSI stand for?  In every state in the union it is provided for by the federal government under the Social Security Act.  The SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income.  The purpose of the program is to provide income to people who do not have sufficient earnings credits to qualify for regular Social Security disability insurance benefits (SSDI).  For millions of Americans this may be the difference between abject poverty and a comfortable subsistence.  So, let us get to the root of the matter and find out who qualifies.

According to the Social Security Act, "disability" means the "inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by diagnosis of any medically recognized physician or mental impairment which can be expected to last for an extended period of not less than 12 months or result in death.”  After meeting this medical standard, applicants for SSI must also prove that they meet certain financial limitations. For example, there is a limit of $2,000 on liquid assets, such as cash, money in the bank, CD’s, IRA’s and the like.

That is rather specific, isn’t it?  To find out if you qualify for Supplemental Security Income you should seek the advice of an attorney.  In the Seattle area Lyle M. Clark has been an SSI lawyer for more than three decades.  He may have answers to your social security disability questions.  Give him a call at (425) 452-3092 for a possible appointment at his Bellevue office.