What is a qualified domestic relation order or QDRO?
According to the Department of Labor, “a qualified domestic relation order (QDRO) is a domestic relations order that creates or recognizes the existence of an alternate payee’s right to receive, or assigns to an alternate payee the right to receive, all or a portion of the benefits payable with respect to a participant under a pension plan, and that includes certain information and meets certain other requirements. Reference: ERISA § 206(d)(3)(B)(i); IRC § 414(p)(1)(A) A domestic relations order is a judgment, decree, or order (including the approval of a property settlement) that is made pursuant to state domestic relations law (including community property law) and that relates to the provision of child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights for the benefit of a spouse, former spouse, child, or other dependent of a participant. A state authority, generally a court, must actually issue a judgment, order, or decree or otherwise formally approve a property settlement agre
