Advanced Topics Pertaining to Qualified Domestic Relations Orders

(The Dos and Don’ts of QDROs Part II)

Elizabeth Van Clief, an attorney with Hughes and Pizzuto, APC, will host an advanced webinar on Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (“QDROs”). This advanced session will cover topics not previously discussed during her prior QDRO webinar held in November 2015. The discussion will be tailored toward advanced issues and safeguards for plan sponsors and service providers regarding the following topics:

• Acceptable fees to charge at each stage of the QDRO process.
  
• Whether qualifying a QDRO is a fiduciary act; suggested strategies for TPAs to limit liability.   
  
• Proper handling of an objection to a QDRO already processed by the Plan Administrator.
  
• Responding to an Alternate Payee’s request for information informally and by subpoena.
  
• When to freeze benefit distributions from defined benefit plans.
  
• What is the significance of receiving a “joinder” from the court?
  
• Interpreting vague assignments in QDROs.
  
• Litigation update in the area of QDROs.

This webinar will provide one CE Unit for ASPPA and NIPA members, ERPAs, JBEA, CPAs in CA and ORE and MCLE in CA. We also offer a general certificate of attendance that can be used to obtain other credit not listed.

Elizabeth Van Clief, an attorney with Hughes and Pizzuto, practices in the areas of employee benefits and taxation, including Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (“QDROs”). Elizabeth advises divorcing spouses and family law attorneys with regard to the preparation of QDROs and she has been recognized as an expert in the areas of ERISA, taxation, and QDROs for purposes of providing expert testimony in family law cases in California. Elizabeth advises Plan Administrators and Third Party Plan Administrators regarding the best practices for reviewing, qualifying, and processing QDROs. Elizabeth also handles ERISA litigation pertaining to QDROs such as breach of fiduciary duty for the improper disqualification of a QDRO and benefit claims litigation on behalf of an alternate payee.

Elizabeth earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of California, San Diego. She attended law school at the University of San Diego, School of Law where she earned her J.D. and L.L.M, Master of Laws in Taxation.

Elizabeth is a Certified Tax Law Specialist from the California Board of Legal Specialization. She is a member of Executive Committee of the Western Pension & Benefits Council, San Diego Chapter, and the Taxation Section of the San Diego County Bar Association.