This volume examines the state of family law in America. Among its themes is the tension between individual autonomy and governmental regulation in all aspects of family law. It examines both conventional and new definitions of formal and informal domestic relationships.

Distilled from years of Fortune 500 consulting practice, Shulman's administrative tools and techniques in Qualified Domestic Relations Order Handbook help plan administrators streamline the entire QDRO review and compliance process, while cutting the risk of errors, penalties, and litigation. They include model policies and procedures, review checklists, staff training cases, and more. Contains new models and guidelines for drafting airtight QDROs that speed approval, maximize your clients' rights, and steer you through the malpractice minefields of ERISA and the IRC. Author Gary Shulman begins with QDRO basics, then dissects the key elements of defined contribution and defined benefits plans. He walks you through the preparation of QDROs for different plans and conditions -- using tested models and sample language. An entire chapter highlights 17 crucial malpractice traps, followed by checklists, attorney Q&A, and tips on working proactively with plan administrators.

In print and online, this new casebook considers the full range of contemporary domestic relationships, including families based on marriage and families formed through nonmarital cohabitation. The book presents the framework of constitutional and federal law that shapes family law at the state level, and materials to help students master the practical dimensions of family law, including the mechanics of determining marriage validity, establishing parentage, and working with uniform jurisdictional statutes. Text boxes and links to online resources pose critical thinking questions and direct students to international and comparative dimensions of the subject, important ethical questions, and further reading.

The QDRO ANSWER BOOK is the one source to turn to for comprehensive guidance on administration & compliance of QDROs & QMCSOs. Written for human resources & employee benefit professionals, plan administrators, & attorneys, the QDRO Answer Book provides practical advice & tips on every stage of the QDRO process to ensure legal qualification & compliance at all times. In an easy-to-reference format, it clearly explains retirement plan divisions for qualified & nonqualified plans. Among the hundreds of difficult & complex issues that are thoroughly described & analyzed: Determining whether DROs are qualified Communicating QDRO requirements to attorneys Administering distributions pursuant to QDROs Communicating QDRO procedures to participants & potential alternate payees Segregating plan assets during qualification review Establishing administrative procedures consistent with the new QMSCO rules Notifying participants & potential alternate payees of receipt of DROs To further simplify compliance & administration, the QDRO ANSWER BOOK contains important model language & checklists, as well as relevant cites to primary source material.