Note:  If you are not an attorney, click on the button immediately above for information about retaining my services.

My billing rate is $200 per hour for consultation and/or drafting assistance. My experience in the pension arena enables me to work extremely efficiently.  You will not be paying for another attorney's learning curve!

Services might include: conducting pension discovery, assisting divorce mediators in resolving pension issues, drafting language for a separation agreement and consult regarding the same, evaluating whether an immediate offset is preferable to a deferred distribution, and acting as a consultant in pension-related matrimonial litigation.  Based on the nature of the work to be performed (i.e. consult regarding plan terms, assistance with separation agreement language, drafting the order), I will request, from the client, a minimum retainer which will be quoted after a preliminary review of the issues involved.  If I am retained as co-counsel during the matrimonial action, my retention is limited to retirement issues only.

In the unlikely event that any proposed QDRO or DRO is rejected by any Plan Administrator for any reason, modifications to the Order will be provided at no charge.  Should an otherwise acceptable Order that I've drafted  be amended after acceptance by the Plan, please contact my office for a reduced fee for modification of the Order.

As a general rule,  outside of the limited scope of working with a trained divorce mediator or collaborative lawyers, I will not agree to dual representation by both attorneys on a matrimonial matter.  Under limited circumstances, I may be retained by both attorneys purely for the purpose of expert consultation and preparation of an Order which strictly conforms to the separation agreement.  A QDRO is not a neutral document, and dual representation would pose a conflict of interest.  Should you have any questions or concerns about the above fee structure, contact me.


In all cases, the proposed Order will be drafted as quickly as is reasonably possible, following receipt of payment and information necessary, generally within two weeks and returned to you as a PDF document by email or in hard copy assuming that I am provided with a Summary Plan Description.  Turnaround may be longer if I must write to the Plan for a description. 

Please note:  for security reasons, I do not email  Orders in Word or Word Perfect form.

I have no control over Plan approval of a Proposed or Final QDRO/DRO, however, each Order will be monitored and follow up letters will be sent regularly, with a copy to the retaining attorney, free of charge. Should you wish to contact me by email regarding the status of the Order, you may do so at any time.

Work cannot commence until payment has been received.

Contact Information

The Law Office of Carolyn A. D'Agostino, Esq.
PO Box 208
22 First Street
Troy, NY 12181-0208

Tel.: after April 1, 2007:  (518) 266-1035,
        cell:  (518) 391-9650
FAX: (518) 874-5102
email:  carolyn.dagostino@gmail.com