QDRO — How Retirement Accounts Get Split in Divorce
A QDRO is the court order that actually splits an ERISA retirement plan in divorce. Without it, the plan won't move a dollar.
Federal law (ERISA) prevents 401(k) and pension administrators from paying out to anyone but the participant — except by a Qualified Domestic Relations Order. The QDRO is drafted separately from the divorce decree and signed by the same judge.
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