Qualified Domestic Relations Orders

A qualified domestic relations order or QDRO is a legal order subsequent to a divorce that splits and changes ownership of a retirement plan to give the divorced spouse their share of the asset or pension plan. A QDRO is a special legal document that the IRS and DOL recognizes as a method of allowing the tax free transfer of retirement plan assets. Because a QDRO applies to plans covered by Federal laws, a firm in any state can draft your QDRO regardless of where you live. When you need to transfer an interest in a qualified retirement plan, you'll need to use a QDRO. QDRO consultants and firms prepare court orders that divide retirement benefits in a divorce. A QDRO can also be used to collect past due child support and maintenance.