The Law Offices of Ruegg & Ruegg

Have you heard the term ‘elective service credit’ before? Do you think it may apply to your case? Do you know what to do? If not-you should listen to this podcast to learn more. It's only 5 minutes long-check it out! http://www.qdrodivision.com//what-is-an-elective-service-/

Here are some flow charts to help you understand loans against 401k plans in divorce.

Want a quick refresher on the differences between a defined contribution, defined benefit, and cash balance plan? Listen to this podcast-it's just shy of 4 minutes long. http://www.qdrodivision.com//differences-between-defined-/

Here is an analogy of a 'valuation date issue' with a 401k QDRO and why sometimes I need to ask for records AFTER date of separation: In 2010 Albert had $100 at Bank of America In 2013 Albert separated from his wife, Betty. In 2015 Albert closed his Bank of America Account and transferred $105 to Wells Fargo (100% of the Bank of America Account balance in 2015)... In 2020 Albert's divorce is completed and Albert is ordered to split his Wells Fargo account 50-50 with Betty as of the date of separation in 2013. Albert can not direct Bank of America to split his account 50-50 as of 2013, because Bank of America no longer has Albert's money. Albert Can not direct Wells Fargo to split his account 50-50 as of 2013, because Wells Fargo has no idea how much money Albert had in 2013, as Wells Fargo was hired in 2015. The earliest date Albert can give Wells Fargo directions is as of 2015. It is possible-that Albert and Betty's community interest of $100 was invested and earned $5 gains between 2010 and 2015 and 100% of the $5 increase should be split 50-50 because half of the gains are from 'Albert's half' of the money and the other half of the gains are from "Betty's half" of the money. Each Party will receive $52.50 in this instance. It is also possible-that the $100 was invested in cash and after separation in 2014, Albert contributed $5 of his own separate property. In this instance, $100 was community property that is rightly split 50-50 and $5 is separate property that should not be split. Meaning Albert should receive $55 and Betty should receive $50. Albert should produce records between 2010 and 2015. Those records will answer these questions for us and let us know how much is appropriate to split.

Learn about how to handle division of retirement accounts in volatile stock market times with Attorney David T. Ruegg, Attorney Richard R. Muir, and Valuation Expert John Madden. For the handout materials that go with this video-please email david at qdrodivision.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr7u-PG03WA

Do you have a client who is a teacher with CalSTRS, a County worker with LACERA or is part of a retirement system that does not pay into social security? You may want to listen to this podcast to find out how federal preemption and California Family Code 2550 may create a scenario where the opposing party will receive all of their social security benefits and half of your client's retirement, but leave your client with only half a retirement. This podcast is 5 1/2 minutes long-check it out! http://www.qdrodivision.com//social-security-windfall-eli/

I am still getting some inquiries here and there so posting again: If you were on the 'hacked' zoom presentation for QDROs in Volatile Markets (Riverside/San Bernardino Presentation) and wish to see the 'full clean' not hacked version of that presentation recorded 2 days after the hack, please send me a private message through facebook or email me directly at [email protected] and I will send you the dropbox link and the instructions to receive your MCLE credit from the ...San Bernardino County Bar. Or-feel free to tune in for this presentation 'live' at one of the upcoming presentations John Madden and I have scheduled with the San Francisco Bar, Sacramento Bar, Alameda Bar, or ACFLS. thank you! -david ruegg

For those of you who were in the Zoom meeting today-obviously we got hacked half way through our zoom presentation. Rick Muir, John Madden, and myself are re-recording the entire presentation just the 3 of us to ensure it's 'clean' no hackers this friday-and then we will post the entire presentation video (you can fast forward through the first 1/2 hour that we did live before we got hacked) and all the materials in a dropbox link. The 'code' to give to the San Bernardino bar to receive MCLE credit will be given out inside the video we do on friday (same code we gave out today). You can also privately email me and I will provide. Apologies for the hacking-I guess that is a hazard of trying to do presentations via online videos in the year 2020...the year of corona...

The client portal for my office is now live. Clients can go here to check status of their case, upload documents and download documents. https://lawsync.com/client/login The 'attorney portal' for checking on your clients who you have sent to my office, will be live in the coming weeks.

I'm Honored to be part of this event.

https://tinyurl.com/JC-Emergency-rules New Judicial Council Rules

http://www.qdrodivision.com//qdro-issues-is-my-ex-respons/

https://www.uschamberfoundation.org//coronavirus-emergency

What concerns me about QDROs and Family Law Right Now. http://www.qdrodivision.com//qdro-malpractice-in-a-volati/

Dear Potential Clients, Current Clients, and Attorneys: On March 19, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a ‘stay at home’ order to the residents of the State of California to battle the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. Fortunately, we anticipated this possibility and completed our office move a few days before this ‘stay at home’ order went into place. As of today, all staff, including myself, are... telecommuting from home. Telecommuting is an adjustment and our office is doing well with the changes. To ensure the efficient transition of our ‘office workflow’, from March 23, 2020 March 27, 2020, our staff will be exclusively training and working hard to organize our files to meet the requirements of telecommuting. To facilitate this transition, from March 23, 2020 March 27, 2020, we will place an ‘away message’ on our email and place our phones on voicemail, returning March 30, 2020. We thank you for your patience and support during this time, as we work hard to ‘rise to the moment’ and do what is necessary to ensure we continue providing our customers the absolute highest quality of QDRO/DRO services. We look forward to hearing from you on or after March 30, 2020. Thank you! David T. Ruegg LAW OFFICES OF DAVID T. RUEGG

A great message from my wonderful sister-in-law. This time is uncertain, of course, and without control over the outside world or others we are resigned to merely control ourselves when possible. In the face of this reality, I would like to invite you to control your perspective: notice that this time is uncertain AND, notice that time is always uncertain. We are never certain of the days events or how our lives will unfold. Familiarity provides a facade of certainty, but... it isn’t so. Our current state is only exacerbating our view of our lack of control, but it is not creating it. You are in no more or no less control of the Earth on which you reside than you were last week, last month, or last year. And though your ideas of your capabilities and potential have perhaps changed, again your perspective can also. https://www.taneshadodsontherapy.com/blog/community

If you are going to the Garrett Dailey Year end review tomorrow in Oakland-come to my vendor booth and say hi! Looking forward to meeting new friends and saying hi to old in Oakland tomorrow.

Please note when you are opening the drop box-the 'step and repeat folder' is a separate folder at the end. I missed it the first time I clicked through. We got some great photos. These photos are free to download and use/print/post anywhere you like. This was my last year on the 'committee'. Thanks for making it a great one. ... https://www.dropbox.com//ze8qre/AAC6-_8IlfliTIC_GGRSWBtga

www.familylawgala.com Buy your tickets today!