[[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","name":"Answer Question","text":"According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a QDRO establishes someone as an \u201calternate payee\u201d who may receive benefits under someone else\u2019s retirement account or plan. They may receive a lump sum or periodic payments, or they may choose to invest their share of a spouse\u2019s retirement account.","@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/what-does-a-qualified-domestic-order-mean-for-a-divorce-in-arizona\/#Answer"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","name":"Answer Question1","text":"A retirement account may not be subject to division under Arizona divorce laws in some circumstances. For example, perhaps you entered into a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement.  The agreement may state one or both spouses agree to waive their rights to the other\u2019s retirement benefits in the event of a divorce. If the agreement is valid and legally enforceable, a QDRO may not override or nullify it.  There are various reasons a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement might not be enforceable. Even if you entered into such an agreement, you might still have the option of using a QDRO to divide retirement account benefits and assets. Review your case with an Arizona family law attorney for more information.","@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/what-does-a-qualified-domestic-order-mean-for-a-divorce-in-arizona\/#Answer1"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","name":"Answer Question2","text":"In most cases, contributions made to a retirement account only become marital property once a marriage begins. Contributions made before the marriage are not subject to division when it ends.","@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/what-does-a-qualified-domestic-order-mean-for-a-divorce-in-arizona\/#Answer2"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","name":"Answer Question3","text":"In some instances, the process of drafting, finalizing, and approving a QDRO takes a few months. In rare cases, it can take years.","@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/what-does-a-qualified-domestic-order-mean-for-a-divorce-in-arizona\/#Answer3"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","name":"Answer Question4","text":"You are not legally required to have an attorney to get a QDRO, but you should have one. An Arizona divorce attorney can help you ensure a QDRO is thorough and enforceable.","@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/what-does-a-qualified-domestic-order-mean-for-a-divorce-in-arizona\/#Answer4"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"What Is the Purpose of a QDRO?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/what-does-a-qualified-domestic-order-mean-for-a-divorce-in-arizona\/#Answer"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/what-does-a-qualified-domestic-order-mean-for-a-divorce-in-arizona\/#Question"},{"@type":"Question","name":"What If We Have a Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreement?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/what-does-a-qualified-domestic-order-mean-for-a-divorce-in-arizona\/#Answer1"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/what-does-a-qualified-domestic-order-mean-for-a-divorce-in-arizona\/#Question1"},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can the Money I Contributed to My Retirement Before Getting Married Be Divided by the QDRO?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/what-does-a-qualified-domestic-order-mean-for-a-divorce-in-arizona\/#Answer2"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/what-does-a-qualified-domestic-order-mean-for-a-divorce-in-arizona\/#Question2"},{"@type":"Question","name":"How Long Can It Take to Get My Money from a QDRO?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/what-does-a-qualified-domestic-order-mean-for-a-divorce-in-arizona\/#Answer3"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/what-does-a-qualified-domestic-order-mean-for-a-divorce-in-arizona\/#Question3"},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is an Attorney Necessary to Get a QDRO?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/what-does-a-qualified-domestic-order-mean-for-a-divorce-in-arizona\/#Answer4"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/what-does-a-qualified-domestic-order-mean-for-a-divorce-in-arizona\/#Question4"}],"name":"What Does a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) Mean for Divorce in Arizona?","@id":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/what-does-a-qualified-domestic-order-mean-for-a-divorce-in-arizona\/#FAQPage"}],{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What Does a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) Mean for Divorce in Arizona?","item":"https:\/\/www.phoenixlawteam.com\/blog\/what-does-a-qualified-domestic-order-mean-for-a-divorce-in-arizona\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]