Philip Law, LLC

Founded in 2017 by Suphi A. Philip, Esq.*

* Licensed in CT & NY

Philip Law, LLC QDRO Attorney
Philip Law, LLC. QDRO Attorney

Philip Law, LLC is a legal practice with a focus on Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs). Founded in 2017 by Suphi A. Philip, this firm helps navigate the complex intersection of family law and retirement benefits, providing clients with precise drafting, review, and negotiation of orders that divide pension plans, 401(k)s, and other qualified retirement accounts during divorce or legal separation. Attorney Philip works closely with plan administrators, participants, and alternate payees to ensure the QDRO complies with federal ERISA requirements, state laws, and the specific terms of each retirement plan, minimizing the risk of plan disqualification. By combining technical knowledge of retirement systems with practical family-law experience, the firm helps clients secure an enforceable distribution of retirement benefits.

Attorney Philip’s background includes more than a decade in family law as a clerk of the Superior Court, along with extensive leadership across state, national, and specialty bar organizations. Her work emphasizes professional excellence, ethics, and community engagement, and she has been recognized for innovation, service, and impact through multiple awards.

Her academic foundation includes a joint Juris Doctor and Master of Health Administration degrees from Quinnipiac University School of Law and School of Business, as well as a Bachelor of Arts from Hofstra University, where she completed an externship with the United Nations.

    • Fellow, American Bar Foundation (2025- present)

    • James W. Cooper Fellow, Connecticut Bar Foundation (2023- present)

    • Executive Committee, CBA-Women in the Law Section (2025- present)

    • Connecticut State Membership Co‑ Chair, American Bar Association (2023- present)

    • Member, CBA- Family Bar (2017- Present)

    • ABA House of Delegates — Connecticut Delegate (2024–2025)

    • National Conference of Bar Presidents — Communications Committee (2023–2025); Diversity Scholar (2023–2024)

    • South Asian Bar Association of Connecticut — Board of Directors (2014–2022); Treasurer (2014–2016), Member (2014– present)

    • Connecticut Bar Association — CLE Moderator (2018, 2019) Panelist (2023); Presidential Bar Fellow (2017–2019)

    • Oliver Ellsworth Inn of Court — Barrister (2015–2018)

    • Connecticut Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section (CBA-YLS)— Senior Advisor (2017-2019); Executive Committee Officer (2015-2017); Women in the Law Section Co-Chair (2013-2015); Professionalism and Ethics Co-Chair(2012-2013)

    • President’s Award for Excellence and Exemplary Service, SABAC (2025)

    • Vanguard Award for Innovation, CBA (2018)

    • Lifetime Achievement Award, CBA‑YLS (2017)

    • Chair’s Award, CBA‑YLS (2016)

    • Star of the Year, CBA‑YLS (2014)

    • Power of Women PAC — Deputy Treasurer (2023–2025)

    • Middlesex Community College — Classroom Guest Speaker, The Impact of RBG (2019)

    • J.D. & M.H.A., Quinnipiac University School of Law and School of Business

    • B.A., Hofstra University — United Nations Externship

    • Connecticut (2008)

    • New York (2010)

    • United States Supreme Court (2018)

Your Questions, Answered

Philip Law, LLC does not offer legal advice to anyone who is not specifically a client of the firm. The information found on this page is general in nature and should not be construed as advice on any individual case. To request a consultation, please contact the firm.

What is a QDRO?

A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is a court order that instructs a retirement plan administrator to pay marital property rights, alimony, current child support, or past due child support to an eligible alternate payee. An eligible alternate payee is a spouse, former spouse, child, or other dependent. Depending on the order type, tax consequence will differ. If a distribution is paid to spouse or former spouse, the alternate payee will be taxed. If the distribution is paid to a child or dependent, the plan participant is taxed on the distribution, not the child. A carefully drafted QDRO should delineate the different tax treatment.

QDROs are required for most private employer-sponsored defined benefit and defined contribution plans governed by ERISA, including pensions and 401(k) plans.

*Federal and state government plans are not subject to ERISA, however, in many instances, a court order can be executed dividing these types of retirement benefits under exceptions to the government’s laws and plan rules .

IRAs and HSAs are not subject to QDRO rules. Often times, these assignments of assets can be handled by a trustee to trustee transfer.

In some instances, the plan may require a separate court order that demonstrates that the assignment is a transfer incident to divorce, in addition to a copy of the divorce decree.

What if the plan is an IRA, HSA?

How long does the QDRO process take?

The process to execute a QDRO typically includes drafting, plan review and pre-approval, obtaining the parties’ signatures, court approval, and final implementation by the plan. A QDRO can be signed by a court in conjunction with a divorce, however, the court may take its time to review and ensure the terms of the order aligns with the final executed divorce agreement. Some plans may also take a few weeks or longer to review a draft order, and implement the final QDRO document. Waiting to begin the QDRO process can create certain risks before an order is implemented.

Clients benefit from streamlined steps, proactive communication, and milestone updates throughout the process when hiring someone to draft a QDRO.

What are the costs involved with a QDRO ?

In addition to court costs for filing and obtaining certified copies, many retirement plans charge administrative fees to review and implement orders.

Fees for consultations and drafting an order with an attorney will vary based on involvement , coordination with the plan, revisions, the complexity of the plan rules, specialized language, and the number orders to be drafted. Contact the firm directly if you would like to know about pricing.

Can I schedule a call to discuss my specific needs?

Absolutely. Send an email including your phone number, and we can schedule a phone or video call to discuss the steps involved in getting an order drafted and certified by the court.

Let's Work Together

Need to discuss a QDRO or divide a retirement asset?

Send a message,* and we will follow up with an email or phone call within 1-2 business days.

* Disclaimer: Online email submissions do not establish an attorney client relationship.

Before any legal services can begin, Philip Law, LLC must confirm that no conflict of interest exists and that the matter can be accepted. After this review, an attorney will interview the prospective client and, if appropriate, issue a formal engagement letter.

Until an engagement letter is received, an attorney‑client relationship has not been formed. To protect the interests of all parties, confidential documents or sensitive information should not be shared until representation is confirmed in writing.

This process ensures that every client receives focused, conflict‑free guidance from the start.

Contact Information:

Suphi A. Philip, Esq.

Philip Law, LLC

  • *Mailing Address*: 34-3 Shunpike Road, No. 228, Cromwell, Connecticut 06416

  • Phone: (860)704-9704

  • Email: info@philiplawllc.com

  • Hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (by appointment only). Closed on state holidays and weekends.