TOVA RETIREMENT dIVISION ACADEMY

Expert-Led Masterclasses for Divorce Attorneys

Retirement assets are among the most significant—and most complex—assets in divorce cases. Traditional strategies like equalization or generic settlement language often overlook the unique rules and nuances of retirement plans, leaving clients vulnerable and settlements incomplete.

Our Masterclasses offer practical, no-fluff education designed specifically for divorce attorneys. We focus on real-world challenges, review actual cases, and provide clear, actionable solutions—without legal jargon or unnecessary complexity.

These sessions are trusted by attorneys, retired judges, mediators, and legal professionals for their straightforward approach and practical value.


60-Min. Masterclass: 

Mastering Settlements for Defined Contribution Plans: Equalization is Not One-Size-Fits-All

What You’ll Learn:

  • The Pitfalls of Equalization:
    • Which plans should never be equalized.
    • How equalization can cost clients penalty-free access to cash.
  • Tracing Non-Marital Components:
    • Proven strategies to trace assets even without complete documentation.

This session is your foundation for addressing critical retirement asset division challenges.

Sign up your firm here: Register Now

 


Advanced 75-Min. Masterclass:

Navigating Retirement for High-Stakes Divorces

Ideal for Attorneys Handling High-Net-Worth Clients:
Entrepreneurs, executives, professional athletes, physicians, entertainers, and other high-income clients expect precision and tailored strategies—not cookie-cutter approaches.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Specialized Plans:
    • Cash balance pensions, non-qualified deferred compensation plans, and self-employed accounts.
    • How to handle non-vested or partially funded accounts.
  • Plan Restrictions:
    • Strategies when plans won’t accept QDROs or DROs.
  • Settlement Guidelines:
    • Crafting division language that aligns with plan-specific rules.
  • Managing Client Expectations:
    • Setting clear expectations and asking the right questions.

 

How to Join:

Email us to reserve your spot or inquire about private sessions. Let us know which option fits your needs:

  • Private Law Firm Session: Schedule a virtual lunch-and-learn tailored to your team (ideal for firms with 5+ attorneys).
  • Solo Practitioner Waitlist: Get notified when the next public Masterclass is scheduled.

 


2024
  • ‘Beyond QDROs: Retirement Division in Family Law’ for Nassau County Bar Association
  • ‘Beyond QDROs: Retirement Division in Family Law’ for the Florida Bar Association
  • Tim Tippins’ CLE Equitable Distribution Seminar
  • Weekly Master Class on “Mastering the Retirement Settlements” presented to Law Firms
2023
  • Denisa’s Exclusive Live Q&A + 2023 Recap 
  • Virtual QDRO Year-End Wrap-Up Webinar
  • Navigating RSU’s – Key Insights For Divorce Attorneys
  • Prenups: Critical Issues with Business & Retirement Assets
  • Navigating Survivorship in Retirement Plans
  • Settlement Language Best Practices for Defined Benefit Pension Plans
  • Launched Beyond the Bar Podcast series interviewing Judges and Attorneys
  • New York Association of Collaborative Professionals CLE Program on Navigating the Complexities of Equalizing the Retirement Assets
  • New York Women’s Bar Association CLE Program on Retirement Settlement Language
2022
  • The Retirement & QDRO Basics for The Rising Stars of the Nassau County Matrimonial Bar Association
  • The Best Practices for Retirement Settlement Language, Part 1: Defined Contribution Plans
  • Avoiding Retirement Settlement Mistakes webinar for the DC 37 Municipal Employees Legal Services
  • Avoiding Retirement Settlement and QDRO Mistakes webinar for the Erie Bar Association, Buffalo NY
  • Division of US Pensions in UK Divorce webinar: presented to The 36 Group, London, UK
  • Avoiding Retirement Settlement and QDRO Mistakes webinar for the Mediators in Santa Barbara, CA
  • New York State Bar Association (Part Two) – CLE Program
    How to Write Effective Retirement Settlement Language Webinar for Divorce Attorneys
  • Retirement Basics Bootcamp webinar
  • How to Fairly Value and Divide US Pensions in Cross-Border Divorces webinar
  • US Pensions in International Divorces webinar
2021
  • Division of US Pensions in UK Divorce webinar: presented to Watson Thomas Solicitors
  • Mark Crawford Esq.
  • Judicial Institute with Judge Cheryl Joseph webinar
  • The New York Fire Pension webinar
  • Kasowitz Bension Torres Law Firm
  • Kenneth Weinstein Law Firm
  • New York Association of Collaborative Professionals (NYACP) (Part Two)
  • Rudyuk Law Firm, PC
  • New York State Bar Association (Part One) – CLE Program
  • Dividing of US Retirement Assets for UK Family Law Attorneys and UK Actuaries (Part Two)
  • Stutman Stutman & Lichtenstein, LLP
  • QDRO & Retirement Asset Distribution (Part Two) Presentation to the Suffolk Judges and Principal Law Clerks
  • Queens County Matrimonial Bar
  • QDRO & Retirement Asset Distribution (Part One) Presentation to the Suffolk Judges and Principal Law Clerks
  • QDRO Presentation to the Women’s Nassau Bar Association
  • Dealing with US Pensions in UK Divorces: presented to the UK Law Firm – Farrer & Co.
  • New Police Pension Rules & Top Settlement Mistakes webinar for divorce attorneys
2000
  • Dividing of US Retirement Assets Webinar for UK Family Law Attorneys and UK Actuaries
  • Several “Advanced Level Webinars on “QDROs and Drafting of Settlements Correctly”, presented to: The Suffolk Bar Association, The New York Women’s Bar Association, The New York
  • Collaborative Association, Long Island Divorce Mediation Peer Group, The Queens Bar Association, and the Connecticut American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML).
  • Launched a monthly webinar series on QDROs, Valuation of Retirement Assets and Settlement Language Drafting
2019
  • Several lectures on QDRO Tips on Avoiding Malpractice; Drafting the Correct Settlement Language presented to: The Nassau Bar Association, The Suffolk Academy of Law, the New York Women’s Bar Association.
2018
  • Retirement Planning, Investment Planning and Rate of Returns for Nassau County Women’s Bar Association
2017
  • Women Council of Realtors “How to Blend and Manage Financial Lives, Assets and Interests”
  • Webinar “Divorce on Wall Street”
  • Webinar “Divorcing Late in Life”
2016
  • Jackson National – “Standing Financially Strong”
2013
  • Jackson National – “Golden Rules of Money”. Preparing for Retirement; Rate of Returns Projections and Investment Planning.
  • ING Women’s Advisory Network Forum – Divorce Financial and Tax Issues”
  • Mceed Century Link’s Annual National Top Executives Business Event
2012
  • Colorado Springs Estate Planning Council – “Tax Planning Tools in Divorce”
2011
  • Colorado Family Law Section – “Review of the Basics & The Exotics”
  • Kiwanis Club – “Understanding Your Retirement Number”
2008
  • Colorado Springs Family Law Section – “Taxes and Divorce”; the power of the 72(t)(2)(c) section”
2006
  • Colorado Springs Family Law Conference – “The Role of a Financial Divorce Practitioner and Financial Planning Opportunities in the Division of Retirement Plans”

Testimonials

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