When Should the QDRO Process Be Initiated?

Q. Charles W. of Oklahoma asks: "When Should the QDRO Process Be Initiated?"
A. Brett from the QDRO Department of Pension Evaluators^® at Troyan, Inc.^® responds: "As soon as it is determined that retirement plan assets are to be divided in the divorce process, the QDRO process should be initiated and the QDRO preparation should be contacted. Plan documents should be acquired from the plan administrator, the QDRO should be drafted, and the draft should be submitted to the plan administrator for pre-approval (it is not uncommon for the review process to take weeks). It is a common misconception that a QDRO does not need to be filed until after the divorce is finalized. Not true. In the state of New York one may initiate a QDRO simply by purchasing an Index number."

Brett Disdale

Senior QDRO Writer