The Qualified Domestic Relations Order Handbook for Attorneys

Third Edition, 2000
By Harvey J. Williamson, Attorney at Law
ISBN 1-880730-25-1

Designed for the general practitioner, this handbook covers every aspect of preparing and obtaining approval of a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (a QDRO) or a Court Order Acceptable for Processing (a COAP) in any state. This up-to-date handbook is easy to understand and contains 13 expertly drafted and ready-to-use model QDROs and COAPs, all of which are available with the QDRO forms.

This handbook contains everything an attorney needs to prepare and obtain approval of a QDRO or COAP in any state or district. It also covers the use and preparation of Qualified Medical Child Support Orders under the federal statute.

In addition, this 320-page handbook:

• Contains a straight-forward explanation of QDROs and COAPs
• Explains how and when to use a QDRO to divide pension, retirement and other benefits between divorced or legally separated spouses
• Explains how and when to use a QDRO to collect child support or alimony
• Covers the taxability of periodic and lump sum QDRO payments
• Explains how and when to use an IRA in lieu of a QDRO
• Explains how to obtain approval of a QDRO or COAP in any state or district
• Explains how to determine the amount of benefits covered by a QDRO
• Explains the terminology and basic aspects of qualified employee benefit plans that are subject to QDROs
• Tells how, when and from whom to obtain the information needed to prepare a QDRO or COAP
• Explains how to provide court-ordered retirement benefits to former spouses of civilian federal employees through the use of a COAP
• Sets forth the legal requirements for QDROs under both federal and state law
• Incorporates and includes the text of the QDRO guidelines and regulations recently issued by the Internal Revenue Service and the Labor Department