Join the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation on Wednesday, February 13 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wellesley Free Library for a special workshop, “Wife Shall Receive One-Half of Husband’s Pension: How To Avoid Unintended Results from Vague Language in Separation Agreements.”
Since retirement assets are generally the largest unencumbered asset in the marital estate, the assignment of retirement assets requires more than a vague reference in the separation agreement to protect the ownership interests of the parties.
This workshop will provide both an overview and comparison of different types of retirement plans, with an emphasis on public plans. Topics will include how various types of retirement plans work and what questions need to be asked and answered in order to draft the separation agreement and domestic relations order that not only reflect the intent of the parties, but can be approved and administered by the retirement plan.
“A domestic relations order is the mechanism used to enforce the rights of the non-employee spouse that are created in the separation agreement,” notes Wittenberg. “The purpose of this workshop is to discuss what information should be included in the separation agreement to avoid problems when drafting the domestic relations order.”
Diane M. Wittenberg is the sole proprietor of QDRO Outsource, providing services to family law professionals and their clients by drafting and reviewing domestic relations orders, in addition to consulting on various employee benefit issues. She has been a tax/pension attorney and employee benefits consultant to individuals, plan sponsors and service providers for 20 years.
This quarterly professional development workshop is open to MCFM members, their guests, and prospective members. MCFM President Lynda Robbins encourages all mediators and allied professionals to attend.
"Every employee benefit plan is different,” says Robbins. “Clients usually want to be fair but need help sorting through the technicalities. Mediators and their clients benefit from the assistance of someone as knowledgeable as Diane. Getting expert input in advance helps assure the final agreement works for the clients."
For more information, contact MCFM at masscouncil@
