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Intro Participant Alternate Payee Case Info Assignment Review Download FAQs

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Welcome to QDRO Creator


QDRO Creator is a free, user-friendly tool that can be used to create a QDRO in a matter of minutes, saving the parties time and money. QDRO Creator also adheres to strict security and confidentiality requirements while allowing the parties to effortlessly conform to the Plan’s procedures and guidelines, leading to a hassle-free experience.

QDRO Creator offers unique security and usability, when you visit the site it loads and runs locally on your computer in your web browser. That means your sensitive information stays on your own computer and you don’t have to create yet another username and password.


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Disclaimers

Using the QDRO Creator tool will allow you to enter the necessary information to complete the Plan’s adopted model QDRO language. The order you create using this tool will be deemed qualified unless the information you input has been entered incorrectly or in a way that is unclear, required information is missing, or the Participant does not have a balance or sufficient balance in the plan to award the desired assignment to the Alternate Payee. This is because the Plan’s model satisfies the technical requirements for QDROs under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code. ... show more.

However, please keep in mind that QDRO Consultants’ (“QC”) role in the QDRO process is limited to determining that all of the technical requirements and any plan-specific requirements of a QDRO are met. We will not determine whether a QDRO has fairly or equitably divided the Participant’s benefits among the Participant and Alternate Payee. Determining a fair and equitable distribution is the responsibility of the parties and/or their attorneys.

While this tool is intended to assist in expediting the QDRO process, it is not guaranteed to reflect the exact terms of your separation agreement or the intent of the parties. You may want to work with your attorney or carefully review the terms of your separation agreement to determine whether using this tool will allow an accurate expression of the intent of the parties and the agreed-upon division of property. You may find that you need to alter the model language or use different language to comply with the terms of your separation or property settlement agreement.

Once you input all of the required information, the tool will create an order in a format that will allow you to make any alterations necessary to suit the terms of your separation or property settlement agreement. Please keep in mind that this tool is not designed to address all possible scenarios. In some cases, modifications may need to be made in order to accurately express the intent of the parties.

You are not required to use QDRO Creator. Further, there is no cost to use this tool. Please note that QC does not require the use of the Plan’s adopted model language, or the creation of an order through QDRO Creator. If you would like, you can submit an order that has been drafted by you, your attorney, or a drafting service. Likewise, we do not assess a higher review fee for orders that do not use our suggested language. ... show less.

Plan Participant Information ⓘ



Participant's Attorney Information ⓘ

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Alternate Payee Information ⓘ



Alternate Payee's Attorney Information ⓘ

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Case Information

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Benefit Assignment

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For Review:




FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE DRAFT DOCUMENT: ⓘ


Alternate Payee’s ({{ ap_first_name }} {{ ap_last_name }}) Assignment: {{ qdro_info_award_format }} of the Participant’s ({{ pp_first_name }} {{ pp_last_name }}) {{ p_acct_vestd_or_blank }}account balance in the {{ plan_name }} as of {{ qdro_info_assignment_date_text }}.

Impact of Outstanding Plan Loans: {{ outstanding_loan_web_note }}

Investment Gains/Losses: {{ investment_gain_loss_web_note }}

Allocation from Participant’s Accounts: {{ allocation_p_account_web_note }}

Initial Investment of Alternate Payee’s Benefits: {{ initial_invest_ap_web_note }}

Alternate Payee’s Death: In the event the Alternate Payee dies before receiving the assigned distribution, the Alternate Payee’s assigned benefits shall be distributed to the Alternate Payee’s designated beneficiary(ies) or, in the absence of such designation, pursuant to the Plan’s default beneficiary provisions.

Participant’s Death: The Participant’s death shall have no impact on the Alternate Payee’s right to the Plan benefits assigned in the QDRO.

Benefit Commencement: The Alternate Payee may elect to receive the assigned benefits as soon as administratively feasible and shall provide the Plan with any information and forms required to facilitate payment of the Alternate Payee’s account.

QDRO Review and Determination Fee: A one time QDRO review and determination fee of ${{ qdro_fee }} will be assessed to the Participant’s account upon initial review. {{ qdro_fee_ap_split_note }}

QDRO Review and Determination Fee: A one time QDRO review and determination as listed in the Plan's QDRO Proceedures will be assessed to the Participant’s account upon initial review. {{ qdro_fee_ap_split_note }}




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Download Your Draft QDRO:

Please enter/select information for the preparer ⓘ


STEP 1: Save a copy of the draft to your home computer - This will allow you to modify the draft to the extent necessary to conform it to the parties’ separation agreement (or other court document that expresses the parties’ intent) and for ease in editing in the event changes need to be made.

draft QDRO Downloaded

STEP 2: Save a copy of the Personal Information Addendum Form - this form is provided to ensure the parties’ personal information is protected. This addendum should not be filed with the court. Instead, this addendum should be included with the order you submit to QC for review.

Personal Information Addendum Downloaded

Success! You have finished using QDRO Creator to make your draft order.draft QDRO and PII Addendum downloaded


STEP 3: The draft order must be signed and file stamped by the appropriate state court. It is the drafting party’s responsibility to format the draft order to satisfy the court’s requirements (similar to formatting on the divorce decree or other court order). Please contact the Clerk of Courts to confirm if any modifications may need to be made in order to comply with the court’s requirements, such as:

  • modify the court captions and/or signature line for the Judge; and
  • add signature lines for the Participant, Alternate Payee and/or legal counsel.

STEP 4: Submit the executed DRO (signed and file stamped by the appropriate state court) and the Personal Information Addendum Form to QC (qdros.com/submit). We will review the order to ensure it complies with all legal requirements.




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Frequently Asked Questions



How do I submit an order for review?

You can securely submit a DRO directly through our website (qdros.com/submit).

How long does this process take?

Be sure to check out the process flowchart to allow you to review the process from start to finish or download a checklist to help guide you through the process.

I’m having problems using QDRO Creator, can someone walk me through it step by step?

You are not required to use QDRO Creator. If you are having challenges with using the web tool, you can request a copy of the Plan’s model language here (qdros.com/start) Alternatively, you may wish to seek legal counsel or a QDRO drafting service to assist you in preparing the QDRO.

Can a draft DRO be submitted to QDRO Consultants for review before having it executed by the court?

Yes. The Plan Administrator will only enforce a court executed DRO that complies with the Plan’s QDRO Procedures and applicable federal law. However, you may choose to submit a draft DRO to QDRO Consultants for review before having it executed by the court.

What if I don’t want to provide my SSN or DOB?

QDRO Creator meets strict security standards and it is safe to include your sensitive information in the tool. The information will not appear in the DRO, but will be in the Personal Information Addendum. This form is provided to ensure the parties’ personal information is protected. This addendum should not be filed with the court. Instead, this addendum should be included with the order you submit to QDRO Consultants for review. SSNs and DOBs will be necessary before the final QDRO will be able to be sent for processing.

I submitted my DRO to QDRO Consultants, what’s next?

Typically, the specialist handling your case will review the DRO and send a response within 30 days. Depending on the information you included, you will receive it either by mail or email. The letter will provide the status of the DRO and next steps.

Will I receive a fair split of the Participant’s benefits?

QDRO Consultants will not answer questions regarding whether a QDRO has fairly or equitably divided the Participant’s benefits among the Participant and Alternate Payee. Instead, QDRO Consultants’ role is limited to the technical requirements of DRO review and QDRO determination. It is the responsibility of the parties and/or their attorneys to determine what is fair and equitable, and to negotiate the QDRO’s substantive provisions.

Can QDRO Consultants provide calculations or tell me how much the Alternate Payee will receive?

No. QDRO Consultants reviews DROs related to the Plan, to determine whether DROs are qualified pursuant to applicable Federal law and the Plan’s QDRO Procedures and send relevant notices to the interested parties. Once a DRO is qualified, QDRO Consultants provides detailed instructions to the Plan’s recordkeeper (or actuary) who will calculate and determine the assigned benefit based on the terms of the QDRO.

The draft DRO and Personal Information Addendum are Microsoft Word Documents (.docx), how can I use these files if I don't have Microsoft Office?

There are a number of free tools available that can open, edit and print Microsoft Word documents. Microsoft offers a free online version of Word at: office.live.com/start/word.aspx, Google offers Docs for free at: docs.google.com/document/, and LibreOffice is free and available to download at: libreoffice.org.


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