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QDRO Consistency Checker: Settlement and Proposed Order

Compare percentage, valuation-date, gains-and-losses, survivor, and loan terms across the entered award formula and proposed order

Output scope

Available output: the entered-fact chronology, reconciliation, or schedule named above. This Workpaper does not apply a state deadline, guideline, ownership, or interest rule.

Direct answer

What this workpaper does

This checker compares the entered settlement or decree formula with the proposed order for matching percentages, dates, and selected award terms. It does not determine whether the order is qualified, whether ERISA applies, or whether the selected plan will accept the language.

Use it when: Counsel has a settlement/decree and proposed retirement order.

Page reviewed: August 24, 2026
Source links checked: August 21, 2026
Implemented rule scope: Text-consistency review only; plan procedures and qualification rules remain outside the result

Working facts

Required rows are marked. Do not enter names, account numbers, or narrative medical facts.

01plan type *

02marriage/separation dates *

Row 1

Fact labelFact value

Enter the first row

Advanced paste format

Enter one item per line. For a row with several facts, use key=value pairs separated by semicolons, such as date=2026-01-15; amount=1250.

03award formula *

Use concise, de-identified working facts. Do not enter names or account numbers.

04valuation date

05survivor benefits

Row 1

Fact labelFact value

Enter the first row

Advanced paste format

Enter one item per line. For a row with several facts, use key=value pairs separated by semicolons, such as date=2026-01-15; amount=1250.

06gains/losses

Row 1

Fact labelFact value

Enter the first row

Advanced paste format

Enter one item per line. For a row with several facts, use key=value pairs separated by semicolons, such as date=2026-01-15; amount=1250.

07loan treatment

Row 1

Fact labelFact value

Enter the first row

Advanced paste format

Enter one item per line. For a row with several facts, use key=value pairs separated by semicolons, such as date=2026-01-15; amount=1250.

08proposed order text *

Use concise, de-identified working facts. Do not enter names or account numbers.

Runs in this browser. Continue to Preflight when the file itself needs review.

Method

This workpaper uses deterministic arithmetic, chronology, reconciliation, or coverage logic from the entered fields. It does not persist client facts or send field values to general analytics.

The result is an attorney workpaper, not a legal conclusion. Verify current primary authority and every fact against the file.

Before relying on it

01Confirm the plan type and governing procedures.
02Enter the award formula exactly as approved.
03Compare the proposed order text with every material award term.
04Resolve every mismatch before qualification or entry.

What the workpaper returns

Percentage-term comparison
Valuation or end-date comparison
Award terms absent from the proposed order
Plan and source questions for attorney review
QDRO qualification held for attorney review

Representative facts

Worked example

Scenario: The settlement awards 50 percent of the marital portion through January 1, 2025, including gains and losses, while the proposed order states 50 percent through that date but omits gains and losses.
Result: The workpaper reports that the percentage and date match and flags “gains and losses” as an award term absent from the proposed order.
Boundary: Plan classification, qualification, survivor benefits, loan treatment, plan procedures, and the legal sufficiency of the order remain for attorney and plan review.

Same practice

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