Post-Mediation Process

Once the MSA is revised and ready to become a binding agreement, I will refer you to a paralegal to whom I regularly refer clients.

The paralegal will ask you to complete a brief questionnaire, and you will sign a Limited Scope Representation Agreement. The paralegal and her supervising attorney, as a team, will complete, review, and file your divorce documents electronically with the Circuit Court of the county in which at least one of you resides.

Divorce forms

You should then contact the county clerk's office to order a paper copy of the judgment so that you have a certified copy in your possession. There is a nominal cost per page. Most post-divorce activities can be accomplished without needing multiple certified copies of the judgment, but you should always have one for your own records.

If your divorce judgment states that you will be dividing or transferring one or more retirement accounts, you will need to submit the appropriate forms, as required by the plan administrators (for work-based retirement accounts) or IRA custodians (for IRAs and Roth IRAs). The plan administrator will require a copy of the judgment, and a certified copy will probably be necessary. If so, you can order an additional copy from the clerk's office.

If you are dividing a 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), or pension plan (except public employees), you may​ need what is known as a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO). However, it is also possible that the plan administrator has a customizable template that you can complete without paid assistance.

If a QDRO is necessary and your plan administrator does not have a customizable template, you can have the QDRO prepared by an online service or by a QDRO attorney. I can refer you to one or both.

Review and finalization by Circuit Court judge

You should then contact the county clerk's office to order a paper copy of the judgment so that you have a certified copy in your possession. There is a nominal cost per page. Most post-divorce activities can be accomplished without needing multiple certified copies of the judgment, but you should always have one for your own records.

If your divorce judgment states that you will be dividing or transferring one or more retirement accounts, you will need to submit the appropriate forms, as required by the plan administrators (for work-based retirement accounts) or IRA custodians (for IRAs and Roth IRAs).

The plan administrator will require a copy of the judgment, and a certified copy will probably be necessary. If so, you can order an additional copy from the clerk's office.

If you are dividing a 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), or pension plan (except public employees), you may​ need what is known as a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO). However, it is also possible that the plan administrator has a customizable template that you can complete without paid assistance.

If a QDRO is necessary and your plan administrator does not have a customizable template, you can have the QDRO prepared by an online service or by a QDRO attorney. I can refer you to one or both.

After your divorce is finalized