A service of process is then required. This is to prove that petition has reached other party as well. A response is then needed from other party. He or she must file a response to petition, and is allowed to either dispute grounds or defend himself or herself from them. Disagreements on custody or property division should also be filed with response.

A negotiation for division of property and custody comes next. The court usually lets couple and their respective lawyers handle this, but if they cannot agree on anything, court has to decide for them. Children are usually responsibility of social workers, whom court calls in to check on living conditions of each spouse if it is fit for children. A trial then ensues, to smooth out issues couple couldn’t resolve by themselves.

Finally, an order of resolution is given, which ends marriage and contains division of property and debts. If couple has negotiated these issues themselves, they can write their own order of resolution and submit it to court. If it meets requirements, judge approves it.

Completion of all requirements does not necessarily mean that your application will be approved. A caseworker from SSA and a caseworker from state Disability Determination Service (DDS) will have to determine if your claim is valid and recommend a decision regarding status of your application. If your application is approved, your SSI benefits will include cash payments at a minimum of $579 per month for an individual or $869 per month for a couple (2005). Your state may supplement this amount. The federal amount is adjusted in January of each year, depending on U.S. cost of living.

You will also be eligible for Medicaid, food stamps, rehabilitation, and home care if necessary.

However, not all applications are approved. Fact is two out of three persons who apply for disability benefits are initially rejected. What you can do is make an appeal for reconsideration of your case. Appeals have a good chance of winning provided that your disability is indeed valid.