CHRISTIAN D. SMED, P.A.
Why Waiting to Get Your QDRO Can Cost You Thousands
tHE lESSON FROM A 10 YEAR DELAY
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407-644-2978
407-644-2978
A divorce judgment may award you money from a retirement account, but the retirement plan will not divide the account until a Qualified Domestic Relations Order is entered, approved, and implemented.
That delay can be expensive.
In one case, a client was awarded $40,000 from a former spouse’s retirement account. But the QDRO was not entered for nearly 10 years. When the QDRO was finally addressed, the client was still entitled to $40,000—not $40,000 plus market growth, not $40,000 plus interest, and not $40,000 adjusted for the passage of time.
The account may have grown. The market may have increased. Your former spouse could have withdrawn or moved the money The funds may have earned investment returns. But because the QDRO was never completed, the former spouse kept the benefit of that growth.
That delay can be expensive.
In one case, a client was awarded $40,000 from a former spouse’s retirement account. But the QDRO was not entered for nearly 10 years. When the QDRO was finally addressed, the client was still entitled to $40,000—not $40,000 plus market growth, not $40,000 plus interest, and not $40,000 adjusted for the passage of time.
The account may have grown. The market may have increased. Your former spouse could have withdrawn or moved the money The funds may have earned investment returns. But because the QDRO was never completed, the former spouse kept the benefit of that growth.
Do Not Let Your Former Spouse Earn Interest on Your Money
If your divorce awarded you retirement benefits, ask yourself:
- Do you want to lose years of market growth?
- Do you want your former spouse to benefit from interest on money awarded to you?
- Do you want to wait until the plan changes, records disappear, or enforcement becomes more difficult?
- Do you want your former spouse to have access to your money?
- Is it worth it to spend between $800 - $1,200 to hire an attorney and not miss out on my money and benefits?
Why Timing Matters
Waiting to prepare and enter a QDRO can create serious problems:
- Your share may not receive market gains.
- The plan may not calculate interest.
- The employee spouse may retire, withdraw funds, change jobs, or die.
- Plan rules may change.
- Court records may become harder to locate.
Protect Your Share Immediately
A QDRO is not just paperwork--it is a Court Ordeer signed by the Judge.
A QDRO should be prepared and entered as soon as possible after your divorce. The sooner it is completed, the sooner your share can be protected, separated, and enforceable.
- Secures your share of the retirement account
- Determines whether you receive gains or losses
- Allows the plan to separate and protect your portion
A QDRO should be prepared and entered as soon as possible after your divorce. The sooner it is completed, the sooner your share can be protected, separated, and enforceable.
Protect Your Future. Let Us Help
At Christian D. Smed, P.A., we focus exclusively on Florida family law. Attorney Christian D. Smed is licensed in Florida and provides full-service QDRO preparation—not just drafting, but also the legal review, plan compliance, and court coordination required to secure your benefits.
We offer flat-fee QDRO services ranging from $800 to $1,200 per account, depending on the plan type and complexity. We’re here to guide you through the legal steps and help ensure you receive what you were awarded. We offer discounts for multiple orders, military, teachers, government workers, and first responders.
To learn more or schedule a consultation, contact Florida family law attorney Christian D. Smed at:
📧 [email protected]
📞 407-644-2978
We offer flat-fee QDRO services ranging from $800 to $1,200 per account, depending on the plan type and complexity. We’re here to guide you through the legal steps and help ensure you receive what you were awarded. We offer discounts for multiple orders, military, teachers, government workers, and first responders.
To learn more or schedule a consultation, contact Florida family law attorney Christian D. Smed at:
📧 [email protected]
📞 407-644-2978