Qualified Domestic Relations Order

A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is a legal document used in divorced or separated parties to divide retirement benefits or pensions fairly. It allows a court to order that a portion of one spouse's retirement plan be given to the other spouse or to a dependent. The QDRO ensures the division complies with legal and plan rules, making the transfer safe and recognized by the retirement plan administrator. Essentially, it formalizes how retirement savings are split as part of the divorce settlement, ensuring the process is clear, lawful, and enforceable.