$999 (Includes Filing Fee)
As a California Joinder and QDRO Service, we provide Joinder and QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) services for every Pension, 401k, 403B, and annuity. We have completed 1000’s of Qualified Domestic Relations Orders over the years. If you need to divide a pension, 401(k), 401(b), IRA or other retirement or investment, you need a QDRO.
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What is a Joinder? What does it do?
A Joinder is a document that we prepare and file with the court. It notifies the court that there is a pension that is subject to division. Once it is filed with the court, it is then served on the pension or plan. This notifies the pension or plan that there is a divorce pending. As it is served on the pension or plan, it brings them into the divorce case as a 3rd party. (Therefore being “Joined” hence “Joinder”, This will occur on each pension or plan that is going to be divided. Every pension and plan requires a Joinder before a Qualified Domestic Relations Order can be completed.
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What is a QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order)?
A QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) or DRO (Domestic Relations Order) is an order that creates or recognizes the existence of an alternate payee’s right to receive, or assigns to an alternate payee the right to receive, all or a portion of the benefits payable with respect to a participant under a retirement plan, and that includes certain information and meets certain requirements.
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Who Needs A QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order)?
You need a QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) if you plan to divide a pension which includes any type of investment. If you are keeping your pension and it will not be split then no QDRO is necessary and we will simply confirm that asset to you as your sole and separate property in the judgment.
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What is the process of preparing a Qualified Domestic Relations Order?
The process of preparing a Qualified Domestic Relations Order is complicated. Each pension or retirement plan has different language known as “Model QDRO Language” When we are hired to prepare a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, we will ask you for, or contact the plan for, a copy of their Model QDRO Language.
The QDRO process looks like this. First we Join the plan via a Joinder. This requires a Judges signature and take a few weeks to receive back from the court. Then we serve the Joinder on the Plan. Once the Plan has acknolwedged being served we reach out to them, or have the plan participant reach out prior to obtain the Model QDRO Language. Then we complete the QDRO. Once the parties have reviewed and approved we then submit the QDRO to the plan for plan approval. The Plan has to approve the QDRO before we obtain signatures from the parties. Once that is done, we file with the court and obtain a certified copy after which it is submitted back to the plan.
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What are the costs of preparing a Qualified Domestic Relations Order?
The price varies, but most attorney’s charge $2,000 per QDRO or more. And that cost does not usually cover and court fees our hourly fees. Some attorney’s even charge separately for the Joinder and separately for the QDRO. We charge just $999 total for the Joinder and QDRO and it includes all court filing fees. No hidden fees!
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How Long Does The QDRO Process Take?
We are very fast at completing our QDRO’s. While many people will tell you it takes 6 months or longer, we have your QDRO completed usually within a few weeks.
Here are our costs:
Every QDRO needs a Joinder. We do not separate the two as everyone else does. We charge just $999 for the Joinder and QDRO combined. We take care of postage, trips to court and photocopies. You pay just a one time fee.
We have made sure to achieve providing the most value related to the costs in our California Joinder and QDRO Service charges. We are certain you will not find a less expensive company to process your QDRO.
Please contact us for more information on our California Joinder and QDRO Service and to receive a copy of our QDRO intake or you can click the link below.
Ready To Get Started?
Here is what you do. Below is a link to make your payment for the QDRO service. Below that is a link which has a worksheet with some additional information we will need. In addition to that, please email the below to us.
- Your judgment or agreement or proposed agreement (even if verbal)
- Copy of the Petition and / or Response
- Copy of the plan statement (does not need to be current)