341 S.W.3d 169
Mo. Ct. App.2011Background
- Marriage in 2001; separation in 2004; dissolution judgment in 2005 dividing SBC pension via QDRO percentages to wife 79.1% and husband 20.9%.
- QDRO I (Jan 2006) designated wife as Alternate Payee, 79.1% of the marital portion, payable at husband's retirement.
- Plan administrator qualified QDRO I in 2006; subsequent motions sought to amend to reflect different values for the marital portion.
- Wife sought an amended QDRO in 2007; the court issued QDRO II (68.3%) based on different value calculations, plan rejected as non-qualified.
- Plan administrator later rejected QDRO II and drafts of QDRO III; in 2010 the court issued QDRO IV (55,448.99 as of 2007) which was not qualified.
- Husband appeals challenging the court’s authority to enter QDRO IV and the use of the June 26, 2007 date and lack of evidentiary hearing.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authority to enter QDRO IV to modify QDRO I | Green | Sigrid argues for modification under 452.330.5; contact with intent | QDRO IV unauthorized; not qualified and not within statutory exceptions. |
| Date and hearing for valuation of marital portion | Green | Dispute over value date and need for hearing on equity value | Preserve dissolution-date as September 15, 2005; evidentiary hearing required to determine equity value. |
Key Cases Cited
- Ochoa v. Ochoa, 71 S.W.3d 593 (Mo. banc 2002) (ERISA QDROs; court authority to modify for qualification/intent)
- Meissner v. Schnettgoecke, 211 S.W.3d 157 (Mo.App.2007) (final distribution; qualification status regarded; cannot alter qualified status absent exceptions)
- Miles v. Miles, 43 S.W.3d 876 (Mo.App.2001) (qualification only for establishing or maintaining qualification; cannot alter once qualified)
- Offield v. Offield, 955 S.W.2d 247 (Mo.App.1997) (court may amend to effectuate intent if within second exception; requires analysis of original order)
- Wilson v. Lilleston, 290 S.W.3d 795 (Mo.App.2009) (second exception allows hearing to reconcile intent with qualified order)
- Lueken v. Lueken, 267 S.W.3d 800 (Mo.App.2008) (interprets 452.330.5; confirms authority to amend to reflect intent when qualified)
- Shelton v. Shelton, 201 S.W.3d 576 (Mo.App.2006) (qualification concept as applied to QDRO modifications)
- Brooks v. Brooks, 98 S.W.3d 530 (Mo.banc 2003) (ERISA recognition; special order exception)