Our Firm’s Flat-Fee Price List

(Our flat fee pricing is listed as “starting at” because each plan and each case has unique characteristics. We will keep you informed about any additional billing throughout the review, drafting, and approval process. We strive to be efficient and transparent.)

Qualified And Nonqualified Plans – starting at $750 (as of January 1, 2022)

Qualified Orders

Qualified Retirement Plans are defined by Internal Revenue Code Section (IRC) 401(a). Pursuant to (IRC) 401(a), there are 37 requirements for a plan to be considered a “qualified” plan.

401(k), 403(b), 457(b)
Profit-sharing plans
Money purchase plans
TIAA/CREF
Cash balance plans
Defined benefit plans (pensions)
Employee stock ownership plans

Nonqualified Orders – Hourly Rate

If you see the following names in a plan you are probably dealing with a nonqualified plan:

Supplemental, SERP, Nonqualified, Excess Benefit Plans
Current Hourly Rate Is $395 An Hour

Federal Domestic Orders – starting at $750 (as of January 1, 2022)

Federal pension plans under the civil service retirement system (CSRS) and federal employee retirement system (FERS)
Thrift savings plans (TSP)

Military Orders – $1,000

These types of retirement plans are not subject to ERISA, so assignment of benefits is dictated by federal regulations. In fact, effective at the end of 2016, Congress greatly altered what the military pay center (the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, or “DFAS”) will consider “disposable retired pay” for division of military retired pay between spouses.

Military retired pay

Railroad Pensions – $1,000

IRAs – See below

In general, parties can handle dividing an IRA account on their own. We advise the parties to reach out to the financial advisor on their statement and request a Transfer Due to Divorce Form or log onto their online account and search for a Transfer Due to Divorce Form. Parties will need to complete the form and provide the documents required. If they cannot make the transfer with the form and a copy of their Marital Settlement Agreement, please reach out to us with the details the IRA administrator requires and we can be retained to draft a Letter of Direction at our $750 flat rate for drafting, pre-approval and edits if necessary, with a retainer of $250, if a judge’s signature and certification is required.

State Plans/QILDROs (State Public Pensions) – starting at $800

State plans are controlled by the state legislature, here in Illinois 40/ILCS of the Illinois Pension Code.

State, municipal and local pension plans

*Not all plans are listed, this is just a sampling. Contact me if there’s something not listed that you need pricing on.