When Retirement Statements “Don’t Exist,” the Problem Usually Isn’t the Records
If you’ve ever needed 15–25-year-old retirement records for a trial or settlement, you’ve probably heard some version of this: “We don’t keep statements that far back.” “Records older than seven years are purged.” “No records found.” Most attorneys assume the case is simply too old. That assumption is costing clients real money. The real […]
Your “Missing Statements” Excuse Is Costing Clients Real Money
I’ll be blunt: “We’re missing a few years, so let’s just 50/50 the 401(k)” is how clients lose real money. There are two changes you need to factor in right now: Age 60–63 super catchups (2025): many plans allow up to $11,250 extra per year. If those deposits hit after your cutoff, they inflatethe pot unless you back […]
$11.2 Million Traced and Counting: Why Non-Marital Retirement Money Matters More Than Ever
I just did the math. $11.2 million. That is how much non-marital retirement money we have traced this year alone. And most of those clients were told it was not “worth it.” Here is the truth. If you do not calculate it, your client loses it. It really is that simple. This is not a […]
Avoid 12-Month Delays on FERS Cases (Read This Before You Draft)
If your next case involves a federal employee, your client’s benefits (and your timeline) could be at risk. That’s because… Orders are getting rejected at a high rate. OPM’s processing times are often 8–12+ months, so a mistake today can stall a matter for most of a year. Federal orders* aren’t QDROs. They use a […]
The “Last-Minute Draft” Problem That’s Burning Law Firms, And the Simple Fix
Too many law firms are getting burned by the last-minute draft approach. We see it all the time: a firm sends over a retirement draft days before signing, hoping for a quick review and instead gets the bad news. You’re equalizing from the wrong account. The tracing calculation is missing. The plan won’t accept “marital […]