FAQ & Fees - Stan Beutler, ESQ.

QDRO Forms Prepared by a QDRO Attorney

What is a QDRO?

QDRO or QUADRO is the legal acronym for "qualified domestic relations order." This is a court order that assigns to an "alternate payee" (the former spouse) the right to receive all or a portion of retirement plan benefits payable to a "participant" (employee). A QDRO is a technical legal document which should be drafted only by an experienced, licensed attorney who understands the federal law governing QDROs. Because retirement plans are governed by federal law, your state court decree is not sufficient to order a QDRO administrator to divide plan benefits.

Are there different types of QDROs? What are the fees?

There are several types of QDRO forms, and some have different names such as Domestic Relations Order ("DRO"), Retirement Benefits Court Order ("RBCO"), Court Order Acceptable of Processing ("COAP") or Military Retired Pay Division Order ("MRPDO"). The following chart lists the orders Mr. Stan Beutler will prepare with the corresponding fee:

Fees apply to all States, D.C., and U.S. Territories

TYPE OF RETIREMENT PLAN (All States, DC & U.S. Territories)	QDRO FEE (or related Order)
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS 401(k), 403(b), annuity, 457(b), profit sharing, ESOP, 401(a), money purchase, etc., including union plans.	$350
DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS Pension plan, cash balance plan, 412(i) plan, etc., including union plans.	$350
MILITARY PLANS Military Retired Pay Division Orders for Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard.	$350
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PLANS COAPs and RBCOs for Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Railroad Retirement Board.	$350
STATE, CITY and COUNTY PLANS Public Employee and Teacher Plans for states, DC and U.S. territories, including, but not limited to, the following: CalPERS - California Public Employees Retirement System CalSTRS - California State Teachers Retirement System Fire & Police Pensions 457(b) and 401(a) Deferred Compensation Plans Arizona State Retirement System Florida Retirement System Pension Plan New Jersey Public Employees' Retirement System South Carolina Retirement System (PEBA) VIEW LIST OF STATES, DC & TERRITORIES	$350
IRAs	$350

All Fees Are Set. There Are No "Hidden" Or Extra Charges Billed Later.

What do the fees include?

The fees listed above include the following services:

All consultations with you
Preparation of the QDRO form (or related order) for you to sign and file in court
Changes (if any) requested by the plan administrator
All consultations with you until the QDRO process is complete
Final plan administrator approval is guaranteed

Why are the fees so reasonable?

Mr. Stan Beutler has drafted thousands of QDROs over the past 35 years, for entities public and private, small and large, including most Fortune 500 companies. With all of his experience and resources, he will efficiently draft your customized form QDRO for the practical set fees described above. Also, Mr. Beutler intends to keep his fees affordable so he can assist those who most need his services.

When do I need a QDRO?

You need a QDRO if you and/or your spouse have money in a retirement plan and you are separating from your spouse, are in the process of getting divorced, or are already divorced. The sooner you draft the QDRO form, and have it signed by the judge, the better.

Why do I need a QDRO?

You need a QDRO in order to divide retirement plan benefits. Mere mention of a dollar amount or percentage in your divorce decree will not suffice, even if the judge signs it, because QDROs are governed by federal law. In order for your interests to be protected, you must have a signed QDRO with no fewer than 11 specific legal requirements. This is the bare minimum. Mr. Beutler may use up to 30 additional provisions in the form QDRO, depending on what benefits, rights, and features are included in the retirement plan. Each plan is different. For example, government and military plans have other requirements that differ from a standard QDRO form.

Who should I trust to draft my QDRO?

Stan Beutler, Esq., is a licensed attorney and former judge who has over 35 years experience drafting and designing all types of plans, including 401(k), defined benefit pension, profit sharing, 403(b), 457(b) plus many others. Click here for PROFILE. To effectively draft a QDRO form, an attorney must understand the intricate details of each document and how they apply to a client's situation. Mr. Beutler sees the big picture and is licensed and qualified to protect your interests.

Mr. Stan Beutler has extensive knowledge of how employers administer retirement plans, and what steps must be taken with the plan administrator in the QDRO review process. Mr. Beutler guarantees that the form QDRO he prepares for you will be approved by the plan.