Firm Specialty
The Nixon Law Firm is focused exclusively on the division of retirement benefits. Since 1994, the firm’s principal attorney, Louise Nixon has specialized in determining the community or marital interest in pension benefits earned through employment and in consulting and/or drafting appropriate orders for the division and disposition of those interests.
The Nixon Law Firm handles all types of division orders (collectively referred to as “QDROs”), from domestic relations orders for private plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"), domestic relations orders for public or governmental plans, to IRC §408 Orders to divide Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”). In a divorce action, The Nixon Law Firm may be retained to represent one party or as a joint and neutral expert for both parties.
The Nixon Law Firm is located in the Los Angeles suburb community of San Marino (adjacent Pasadena) in the historic Mission District. While the firm welcomes visitors to its offices, almost all QDRO services may be provided via phone, fax, email and mail.
The firm provides QDRO services for plans governed by federal law throughout the United States. The firm also provides QDRO services for plans governed by state law in California and Texas. The Nixon Law Firm has staff that is bilingual in Spanish and French (See Staff Profile).
Services Provided
- Prepare QDDOs to divide retirement assets for all type of retirement benefits, - private and public plans.
- Submit QDROs to plan administrators for approval and qualification.
- Negotiate provisions of QDROs with plan administrators and between the parties.
- Prepare QDROs for child or spousal support.
- Assist family law attorneys with judgment and marital settlement agreement language as it relates to pension division.
- Provide expert testimony on QDROs and ERISA issues.
- Review QDROs already prepared for compliance and fairness.
Plan Representation
The firm’s principal attorney Louise Nixon also represents pension plans in the QDRO administration process through QDRO Administrators, Inc., a California law corporation. See www.QDROAdministrator.com.