Retirement benefits, divided right.
A QDRO is often the last step of a divorce — and the one most likely to go wrong. Our firm does one thing: preparing and filing Qualified Domestic Relations Orders and related division orders, from start to finish, for a one-time flat fee.
One practice area. Every retirement plan.
Within family law, we exclusively handle the division of employee benefit plans on marital dissolution — nothing else. That focus is why family law attorneys throughout California refer their QDRO work to us — and why we now serve clients in Texas as well.
QDROs, start to finish
We draft, file, and process your order through Superior Court and the plan administrator — including every letter and phone call in between — for one flat fee.
Our services →Public pensions & military pay
CalPERS, CalSTRS, county systems, FERS, CSRS, TSP, and military retired pay through DFAS — each system follows its own rules, and we know them all.
Our services →Separate property tracing
Pre-marital balances, post-separation contributions, gains and losses — we help you establish and protect what's yours, with free calculators to get you started.
Free calculators →A clear path from retainer to rollover
Most clients come to us confused about the QDRO process. We keep it simple — you'll always know where your case stands, and you can check status anytime through your secure client portal.
Schedule a consult
Book an appointment online with Attorney Ruegg to discuss your judgment and the accounts to be divided.
Complete intake
Fill out our secure online intake form and upload your documents to the client portal — no printing or faxing required.
We draft & file
We prepare your order, coordinate with the plan administrator, obtain signatures, and file with the Superior Court.
Benefits divide
The plan implements the order and each party's share is established — cleanly, correctly, and on the record.
Learn the traps before you sign
Free plain-English guides to the issues that cost divorcing spouses real money in retirement division. Start with the ones that match your situation:
The 401(k) loan trap
"Pay off the loan equally" sounds fair — and routinely makes one spouse pay for the same loan twice. Learn the trap before you sign.
Read the guide →CalPERS & CalSTRS: your three options
Shared interest, segregation, or cash out — the election belongs to the non-member spouse, and one of the options is worth about 13 cents on the dollar.
Read the guide →The hidden cost of offsetting accounts
Skipping the QDRO to save fees assumes $1 in one account equals $1 in another. A worked example of who wins and who loses.
Read the guide →Answers you can actually use
Can I cash out my interest in my former spouse's 401(k) via QDRO?
Yes, in most cases you can. And under Internal Revenue Code §72(t)(2)(C), QDRO payments are an exception to the normal 10% early-withdrawal penalty — though ordinary income taxes still apply.
Will taxes be withheld if I cash out?
Yes. The plan administrator will withhold 20% for estimated taxes. Your actual liability depends on your personal tax bracket and is settled when you file your return.
Does the penalty exception apply to IRAs too?
No. Under IRC §72(t)(3), the QDRO exception does not apply to IRA accounts. Talk to your CPA about other exceptions that may apply to your situation.
Ready to finish the last step of your divorce?
Flat-fee QDRO preparation in California and Texas — from consultation to court filing to plan approval.