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Dividing Retirement Benefits at Divorce: Understanding the QDRO Process Webinar Series

Divorced individuals – especially divorced women and/or survivors of domestic violence– are at a greater risk for poverty in old age.  A share of a former spouse’s retirement benefit can help, but the process of dividing retirement benefits at divorce is very complex.  Former spouses must obtain a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO).  However, many family law attorneys do not feel comfortable getting involved in the QDRO process because it involves knowledge of the retirement system and complex federal laws beyond state domestic relations law.   

This webinar series will offer family law attorneys an overview of QDROs and retirement plans, the obstacles that former spouses can encounter when trying to obtain one, and ways that family law attorneys who do not specialize in QDROs can nevertheless help clients navigate the QDRO process, including special considerations for attorneys representing victims of domestic violence.

Part I: Overview of QDROs and Retirement Plans

  • Presented by Mudita Chawla and Emily Spreiser
  • Thursday, March 26, 2020 2:00 PM EDT

Part II: Deeper Dive into QDROs and Retirement Plans

  • Presented by Mudita Chawla and Emily Spreiser
  • Tuesday, June 2, 2020 2:00 PM EDT

Download PowerPoint HERE

This project was supported by Grant No. 2015-TA-AX-K026 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women.