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Simplified Dissolution of Marriage

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QUALIFIED DOMESTIC RELATIONS ORDER

NO.

IN THE MATTER OF )

THE MARRIAGE OF )

)

)

AND )

)

)

AND IN THE INTEREST OF )

, )

A MINOR CHILD )

QUALIFIED DOMESTIC RELATIONS ORDER

This Order is an integral part of the Decree of Divorce signed in this case on , .

This Order is entered pursuant to Sec. 3.633 and Sec. 5.01 of the Texas Family Code, and is intended to serve as a Qualified Domestic Relations Order ("Order") by which a division and disposition of the Respondent's benefit under the plan specified below shall be and is made according to the provisions of Sections 401(a)(13) and 414(p) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("IRC").

IT IS ORDERED AND ADJUDGED as follows:

A. STATEMENT OF FACTS

1. The plan ("Plan") to which this Order applies is the , and the Plan Administrator is the Benefits Committee of the .

2. The Respondent, , whose Social Security Number is , and whose last known address is , , Texas , is the Participant.

3. The Petitioner, , whose Social Security Number is , and whose last known address is , , Texas , is the Alternate Payee and the former spouse of the Participant.

4. The division and disposition of the Participant's benefit under the Plan pertains to the equitable distribution of marital property rights.

B. PROVISIONS REGARDING PAYMENT TO THE ALTERNATE PAYEE

1. It is the intention of the parties and the ORDER of this Court that the Alternate Payee receive a benefit from the Plan of $, unadjusted for any allocable gains or losses.

2. Benefits to the Alternate Payee shall be distributed in accordance with a form of payment elected by the Alternate Payee and provided under the Plan to the Participant (other than in the form of a joint and survivor annuity with respect to the Alternate Payee and her subsequent spouse).

The Alternate Payee has the right to elect to commence distribution under the Plan at any time after the Plan Administrator has determined that the Order is a Qualified Domestic Relations Order within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 414(p) and after the Alternate Payee has filed a proper distribution election form with the Plan Administrator.

Unless the Alternate Payee elects an earlier distribution date (on a form provided by the Plan Administrator), distribution to the Alternate Payee will commence when the Participant begins to receive distribution under the Plan following his separation from service.

Except as otherwise provided under the Plan for involuntary distributions of account balances with values of $ or less, distribution to the Alternate Payee shall be made in accordance with the terms of this paragraph 2 and after the Alternate Payee has filed a proper distribution election form with the Plan Administrator.

3. If the Plan provides a choice of investment options to participants and distribution to the Alternate Payee is deferred, the Alternate Payee may elect on the appropriate form provided by the Plan Administrator the manner in which her interest under the Plan is to be invested. The investment options available to the Alternate Payee shall be the same investment options available to the Participant under the Plan.

4. In the event the Alternate Payee dies before her entire interest under the Plan has been distributed, the remaining portion of such interest shall be distributed in a single lump sum to the beneficiary designated by the Alternate Payee on a form provided by the Plan Administrator and filed by the Alternate Payee with the Plan Administrator, or if there is no such designated beneficiary then living, to the Alternate Payee's estate.

C. TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The Alternate Payee shall include all of the taxable portion of benefits received from the Plan in her gross income for the taxable year of receipt. For purposes of IRC Section 402(a)(9), the Alternate Payee shall be treated as the distributee of the distribution of payments made to her under this Order. Said benefits, when paid, will not be taxable income or a deduction on the Participant's income tax return. The balance to the credit of the Participant shall not include any amount paid or payable to the Alternate Payee under this Order.

Further, the Participant's investment in the Plan (cost basis), if any, shall be shared proportionately by him and the Alternate Payee as provided in IRC Section 72(m)(10).

D. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Pursuant to IRC Section 414(p)(3), this Order:

(a) Does not require the Plan to provide any type or form of benefit, or any option, not otherwise provided under the Plan;

(b) Does not require the Plan to provide increased benefits (determined on the basis of actuarial value); and

(c) Does not require the payment of benefits to the Alternate Payee which are required to be paid to another alternate payee under another order previously determined to be a Qualified Domestic Relations Order.

2. If the Plan terminates prior to full distribution to the Alternate Payee of her interest in the Plan, such interest shall be distributed according to the provisions of the Plan governing distributions in the event of plan termination.

3. It is intended that this Order qualify as a Qualified Domestic Relations Order under the Retirement Equity Act of 1984, as amended, and the provisions hereof be interpreted and administered in conformity with such act.

4. The Court retains jurisdiction to amend this Order for purposes of establishing and maintaining its qualification as a Qualified Domestic Relations Order under the Retirement Equity Act of 1984, as amended.

SIGNED AND ENTERED on , .

________________________________

JUDGE PRESIDING

APPROVED AND CONSENTED TO AS TO BOTH FORM AND SUBSTANCE:

________________________________

, Petitioner

_________________________________

, Respondent

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What the Simplified Dissolution of Marriage Is

The Simplified Dissolution of Marriage is a streamlined legal procedure for spouses who agree to end their marriage quickly and without contested issues. It is available only when parties meet statutory eligibility requirements—commonly no minor children, limited shared property and debts, mutual agreement on asset division, and a short marriage duration. The process uses a standardized set of court forms to obtain a final judgment of dissolution with reduced hearings and minimal court intervention compared with contested divorces.

Why couples choose a simplified dissolution

A simplified dissolution reduces paperwork and cost when both spouses agree on all terms. It minimizes court time, shortens processing for straightforward cases, and limits the need for extended negotiation or litigation.

Why couples choose a simplified dissolution

Who typically uses a simplified dissolution

Couples with uncontested, straightforward circumstances commonly use the simplified process.

  • Newly married couples with no children and minimal property
  • Spouses who agree on asset division and debts in writing
  • Parties seeking a faster, lower-cost alternative to contested divorce

If eligibility is unclear, parties should consult local court rules or an attorney before proceeding.

Step-by-step: completing a simplified dissolution

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, sign, and file the simplified dissolution forms.

  • 01
    Confirm eligibility: Verify both parties meet all statutory requirements before starting.
  • 02
    Complete forms: Fill in names, dates, property, and declarations accurately.
  • 03
    Sign and notarize: Sign in required places; notarize or use RON if acceptable.
  • 04
    File with court: Submit documents to the family court or county clerk for review.

Where to file and how the filing flows

A simplified dissolution is filed at the local family court or county clerk according to jurisdictional rules. Processing differs by county and may allow electronic submission.

  • Prepare package: Assemble completed forms, declarations, and any required attachments.
  • Choose filing method: File in person, by mail, or via e-filing if the court accepts electronic submissions.
  • Court review: Clerk or judicial officer verifies eligibility and form completeness.
  • Final judgment: Court issues a judgment of dissolution if requirements are satisfied.

Configuring an online workflow for the forms

Set up a simple, auditable workflow when completing and sending the forms electronically.

Field Configuration
Template Use the court-specific PDF form as the base document
Signing Order Require both spouses to sign; specify order or allow simultaneous signing
Authentication Enable email link plus optional SMS code for signer verification
Notarization Include RON option or schedule in-person notarization as required

Digital signing and submission: technical considerations

Use a platform that supports PDF, Word, secure storage, and court e-filing formats.

  • File formats: PDF, DOCX supported
  • Integrations: Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, NetSuite
  • Security: TLS in transit; AES-256 at rest

eSignature vendor comparison for simplified dissolution workflows

Basic pricing and capability comparisons for common eSignature vendors. signNow is listed first per standard vendor ordering.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Core components included in a professional simplified dissolution package

A complete simplified dissolution package includes eligibility statements, signature blocks, property/debt schedules, and court-ready formatting.

Eligibility Declaration

A clear, signed statement confirming both parties meet statutory eligibility criteria (no minors, limited assets/debts, mutual agreement).

Marital Information

Marriage date, residency, and confirmation of waiting periods where required by state law.

Property Allocation

Concise schedules listing community or marital property and specific agreement on division or sole ownership.

Debt Allocation

Itemized listing of joint debts with clear assignment of responsibility to one or both parties.

Waiver of Hearing

Language where both parties waive a contested hearing if permitted by the court and process rules.

Final Judgment Entry

Proposed judgment language for the court to adopt, with signature and date fields for the clerk or judge.

Security and legal compliance considerations

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest
Audit Trail: Complete timestamp, IP, and action logs
ESIGN / UETA: Compliance with ESIGN and UETA standards
HIPAA Support: BAA available for protected health information
Certificate Standards: Supports 21 CFR Part 11 and digital signature controls
Accessibility: WCAG 2.0 Level AA compliance

Risks and legal consequences of errors

Invalid Filing: Court rejection or return for correction
Loss of Protections: Unresolved division may require later litigation
Perjury Risk: False declarations can create criminal liability
Financial Liability: Unallocated debts may remain enforceable
Delays: Missing signatures cause processing delays
Tax Consequences: Improper reporting may trigger IRS issues

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Failing to confirm both parties meet statutory eligibility, causing rejection of the simplified process and need for a full dissolution.
  • Entering inconsistent names or dates across forms, which can force an amendment or re-filing with the court.
  • Neglecting notarization or remote online notarization where the court requires it, creating invalid or incomplete filings.
  • Assuming all courts accept electronic submissions or RON without first confirming local court e-filing and e-signature policies.

Sample use cases showing how simplified dissolutions are applied

These examples show common, realistic scenarios where parties use the simplified process successfully.

Mutual short-term marriage

A couple married less than three years agrees on all issues and completes forms electronically

  • Both sign and notarize remotely
  • The court issues a final judgment within the local processing window without contested hearings, reducing time and cost.

No-children asset split

Spouses with limited shared assets document a specific division and sign a written agreement

  • They submit a simplified dissolution packet
  • The clerk accepts the forms and enters a dissolution judgment after verifying eligibility and signatures.

Frequently asked questions about simplified dissolution

Answers to common questions about eligibility, filing, signatures, and alternatives when the simplified route is not available.


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