Des Moines Lawyer for Divorce and Retirement Accounts
Polk County Property Division Attorney
Many couples going through divorce understand that they will need to divide personal belongings, the house, vehicles and other material assets. But what about the division of retirement accounts, such as a 401(k) or pension, or the division of investments and stock options?
Dividing such complex assets requires an experienced family law attorney such as Timothy M. Duffy who can guide you through the process and protect your right to receive a fair share. At the law office of Timothy M. Duffy, P.C., in Des Moines, we assist individuals throughout central Iowa with complex family law issues.
Understanding QDROs
A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is a separate court order that allows a person who is not named as the participant in a retirement or pension plan — such as a spouse or child — to receive payouts from the retirement account following divorce. A QDRO is necessary to divide retirement accounts because without one, federal laws restrict the payment of retirement benefits to anyone except the individual employee who earned the benefits. Therefore, having a QDRO protects a former spouse’s right to receive retirement benefits as an alternate payee following divorce.
If you or your spouse has a defined benefit plan, such as a pension, or defined contribution plan, such as a 401(k), lawyer Timothy Duffy can advise you on the use of a QDRO in your divorce settlement.
Other Complex Property Division Issues
Besides retirement accounts, other complex issues can arise when dividing marital assets. Attorney Duffy guides clients through the division of:
- Family farms
- Other real estate investments
- Family-owned businesses
- Business assets
- Investments
- Stock portfolios
- High-value assets
- Other assets that have been commingled
Mr. Duffy will work with forensic and asset valuation experts to ensure all assets are accounted for and properly valued, if needed. He will then protect your rights in negotiation, or litigation if necessary, to achieve equitable marital property division.
Call for a Free Consultation
Contact our office today to discuss your complex property division concerns with an experienced Des Moines attorney for divorce and retirement accounts. You can reach us at 515-346-6619 during regular business hours or via e-mail at any time. We take most major credit cards and offer payment plans for your convenience.