Lawyers Without Billboards
Real lawyers, real talk—without the billboards. Lawyers Without Billboards is an unfiltered look at family law, hosted by the partners of Shewmaker & Lewis: Steve and Patty Shewmaker, and Jimmy and Alexa Lewis.
With decades of experience in divorce, custody battles, child support, alimony, and criminal law, they break down legal myths, share expert insights, and dive into real cases (sometimes with a side of humor).
Expect candid conversations, legal deep dives, and the occasional sidebar on pop culture, legal movies, and life as family law attorneys. Whether you're navigating a family law issue, practicing law yourself, or just enjoy courtroom drama, this podcast offers valuable insights with a dose of levity.
New episodes every two weeks
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Lawyers Without Billboards
QDROs, Pensions, and Divorce: Don’t Make This Expensive Mistake | Lawyers Without Billboards S2-Ep18
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Retirement accounts are often one of the largest assets in a divorce — and one of the easiest to mishandle.
In this episode, we break down QDROs (Qualified Domestic Relations Orders), how they work, and why failing to handle them correctly can lead to tax consequences, penalties, and costly disputes years later.
We cover:
- How retirement accounts are divided in divorce
- When a QDRO is required—and when it isn’t
- Why pensions and government plans can be tricky
- Common drafting mistakes that create problems down the road
- What to do if a QDRO wasn’t done at the time of divorce
If you’re going through a divorce, or advising someone who is, this episode will help you avoid one of the most expensive mistakes people make.
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 – Intro
01:10 – What is a QDRO (and why it matters)
03:30 – Avoiding taxes and penalties in divorce
04:40 – When a QDRO is required… and when it’s not
05:50 – IRAs vs 401(k)s vs pensions
08:00 – What happens when one party doesn’t cooperate
10:00 – Why waiting years can cause major problems
11:50 – Retirement accounts that can’t be divided (TRS pitfalls)
13:20 – Common mistakes in settlement agreements
15:30 – Why pensions are more complicated than you think
18:00 – The challenge of drafting QDROs after the fact
20:00 – Key takeaways: how to protect yourself
🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards.
🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis
🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/_rw_DWMQeVg or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.
📩 Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com
| (770) 939-1939
🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com
🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards
🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions
🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc.
🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner
📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA