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Divorce
There are many issues that need to be considered during the process of getting a divorce. The following checklist may be of help to simplify the necessary steps you need to take in regard to your benefit plans.
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 Forms:
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 Additional Information:
Health & Welfare SPD:
Pension SPDs:
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 External Related
Links:
(These are listed for your convenience. The sites and the contents
of the sites are not sponsored or endorsed by your benefit plans.
Use them at your own risk.)
- DivorceNet - Information on the subjects of divorce, child support, custody, visitation, and spousal support, and a directory of U.S. divorce lawyers.
- Divorce Support - Divorce links, books, and a directory of professionals.
- Split-Up - Materials to help people who are dealing with divorce, including help with life issues, legal issues, and finances.
- Child Custody in the USA - Article on the determination of child custody in the USA.
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| Benefit Plan Checklist
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The Pension Plans are mandated by law to have a procedure by which the two parties to a divorce may determine and allocate the participant's pension benefit. The legal name for the order which must be approved and filed with both the pension plan and the court is the Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO, pronounced kwadro).
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The attorney who will draft the QDRO will probably wish to obtain a copy of the summary plan description and the pension plan document. Send an email to the Trust Office to request these documents be mailed to the attorney. Also, the attorney will need the QDRO information forms.
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Since your family status changes as the result of a divorce, you need to notify the Trust Office within 60 days after the divorce becomes final. The office will notify your ex-spouse of any continuing coverage options. You will have to submit a copy of the final divorce decree to finalize changes to your benefits.
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You will want to review your designation of beneficiary for the Pension and Health & Welfare Plans.
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If you have Kaiser coverage, you must complete a Kaiser Change Form. |
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 Planning Notes:
Financial planners recommend that persons undergoing a divorce should review and update a number of personal plans and documents. Here is a checklist of some items which you may need to update, revise, or consider:
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