The Complete QDRO Handbook, Fourth Edition

(Paperback)

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A comprehensive resource for effectively handling QDROs and working with all parties involved, this updated bestseller provides basic knowledge of all aspects of the substantive law of QDROs plus valuable, step-by-step guidance and advanced techniques for the drafting and approval process. It also covers division of military retired pay; federal, state, county, and municipal civil service pensions; non-ERISA plans such as IRAs; and Qualified Medical Child Support Orders. Whether you work with these retirement benefits in a divorce case frequently or only occasionally, this updated edition of The Complete QDRO Handbook is a must-have for your library.

begins with clear definitions of the basic principles and concepts of employee benefit plans and ERISA. In subsequent chapters, the authors explain how to draft domestic relations orders and have them accepted as "qualified" by plan administrators. The book provides the necessary sample language and clauses, each explained with numerous comments. Other forms include model letters, forms, interrogatories, and checklists, plus guidance on reading an annual benefits statement. Forms are available for readers at an online library.

Written for people who work with QDROs every day in a hands-on capacity -- lawyers representing divorce clients, Plan Administrators and their lawyers, state IV-D agencies using QDROs to collect child support, Family Court judges, and the paralegals, administrative assistants, and other support staff who work with them.

Author Bio

Patricia Patty D. Shewmaker, a native of Nebraska, attendedthe U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, where sheearned a bachelor of science degree in political science and wascommissioned as a Second Lieutenant in Military Intelligence.Patty served seven years on active duty in the U.S. Army andthree years in the Georgia Army National Guard. She deployedas a Company Commander of a Counterintelligence Company insupport of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM and OPERATIONENDURING FREEDOM. Patty received the Bronze Star Medal forher service in a combat theater of operations. With her extensivemilitary background and understanding of the unique issues thatconfront military families, Patty represents many military servicemembers in family law issues. Patty earned her law degree from the Georgia State UniversityCollege of Law, where she graduated with honors. She has an activepractice in all areas of family law, including divorce litigation,modification of custody, alimony and child support, contemptactions and legitimations, and paternity suits.Patty also specializes in dividing qualified retirement plansincident to divorce and legal separation, including pensions underthe Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), military pensions,private pensions, 401(k)s, Thrift Savings Plans (TSPs), andother qualified retirement plans. Patty also has extensive experience with cross-jurisdictionalfamily law litigation. She represents clients whose cases span across multiple states and foreign countries, be it a divorce, custody action,or modification. Patty is well versed in the special jurisdictionalrequirements of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction andEnforcement Act (UCCJEA) and the Uniform Family Support Act(UFSA). Patty is admitted to practice with the State Bar of Georgia, theGeorgia Court of Appeals, the Georgia Supreme Court, the U.S.District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, and the U.S.District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. James Jimmy Lewis was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia.He attended Auburn University and graduated with a bachelor ofarts degree in political science focusing on pre-law and conflictresolution. Jimmy received his law degree from John Marshall LawSchool in 2014, where he began to learn litigation skills under twoCobb County district attorneys. Jimmy joined Shewmaker & Shewmaker in February 2015 andpractices in all areas of family law, including divorce litigation,modification of custody, alimony and child support, contemptactions, and military-related family law issues. He has a focusedpractice on preparing Qualified Domestic Relations Orders(QDROs) and is routinely hired to advise family law attorneys onthe division of retirement plans and the preparation of QDROs. Jimmy is a member of the State of Georgia Bar Association,Georgia Family Law Section, Georgia Young Lawyers Division,DeKalb County Bar Association, and the Family Law section of theDeKalb Bar.