Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs)
Award-Winning Team
Licensed in MN, WI + ND
80+ Years of Experience
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Helping Ensure Retirement Assets Are Divided Properly in Minnesota, Wisconsin + North Dakota
Retirement accounts are often among the most valuable assets involved in a divorce. Dividing those assets typically requires more than simply including terms in a settlement agreement or court order. Certain retirement plans require a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) to properly divide benefits while preserving important tax advantages and complying with plan requirements.
At Lommen Abdo, we assist individuals throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin with the preparation, review, and implementation of QDROs. We also frequently serve as a neutral QDRO preparer, helping both parties complete the retirement division process efficiently and in accordance with the terms of their settlement or court order.
QDROs: What You Should Know
- A QDRO is a specialized court order used to divide certain retirement benefits following a divorce.
- QDROs are commonly used to divide pensions, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and other qualified retirement plans.
- Retirement assets often cannot be divided properly without an approved QDRO.
- Errors in a QDRO may result in delays, unexpected tax consequences, or the loss of valuable benefits.
- Survivor benefits, beneficiary designations, and future retirement distributions may all be affected by the language contained in a QDRO.
- QDRO issues sometimes arise years after a divorce when retirement benefits become payable.
Retirement plan administrators typically have specific requirements that must be satisfied before a QDRO will be accepted.
Our QDROs Team
Why Choose Lommen Abdo
- Our family law attorneys regularly assist clients with retirement asset division and QDRO-related matters.
- We offer both advocacy services and neutral QDRO preparation when appropriate.
- We understand the technical requirements involved in dividing retirement benefits and work to avoid errors that can affect future distributions or tax treatment.
- We work closely with retirement plan administrators to help ensure compliance with plan requirements.
Understanding the QDRO Process
Explore our client guide to dividing retirement benefits in divorce!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO)?
A QDRO is a court order that allows certain retirement benefits to be divided between parties following a divorce while complying with applicable retirement plan rules.
Do all retirement accounts require a QDRO?
No. QDROs are generally used for qualified employer-sponsored retirement plans. Other retirement accounts may require different procedures.
Can a QDRO be prepared after a divorce is finalized?
Yes. In many cases, a QDRO is prepared and submitted after the divorce decree has been entered.
Why is accuracy important when preparing a QDRO?
Errors can lead to delays, rejected orders, unexpected tax consequences, or the loss of retirement benefits that were intended to be divided.
Can Lommen Abdo act as a neutral QDRO preparer?
Yes. In appropriate cases, we can work with both parties as a neutral preparer to draft a QDRO that complies with the terms of their agreement or court order.
What happens if a QDRO is rejected by the plan administrator?
The order may need to be revised and resubmitted. We assist clients with addressing deficiencies and obtaining approval when possible.
Ready to Talk? Contact Lommen Abdo.
If you need assistance preparing, reviewing, implementing, or correcting a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, Lommen Abdo can help. Contact our family law team to discuss your situation and learn how we can assist.
