Opinion ID: 2506574
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Final Orders

Text: On November 12, 2003, the court concluded the final orders hearing and ordered the sale of the Varner residence and ordered the parties to pay their own attorney's fees even though Respondent had argued that Mrs. Varner should be awarded attorney's fees. The court also ordered that Mrs. Varner receive half of her husband's retirement benefits during his life and survivor benefits should he predecease her. Although the court did not grant his request, Respondent also argued that Mrs. Varner be allowed to receive maintenance. The court did order, however, that Mr. Varner pay Mrs. Varner $1.00 a year so that the court would maintain jurisdiction in the event that Mr. Varner received additional income following the divorce. [10] Following the final orders hearing, the court entered its written order on January 20, 2004, based on a draft Respondent provided to the court. However, in drafting the order, Respondent failed to research OPM regulations to determine whether the language of his draft would protect his client's interests under the OPM rules and regulations. The written decree awarded Mrs. Varner both a present one-half interest in Mr. Varner's federal pension, and survivor benefits from Mr. Varner's pension. The decree states: Husband shall provide Wife with Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) protection/insurance so Wife can continue to receive a share of Husband's future retirement benefits if Husband predeceases Wife. [11] On November 12, 2003, the date the court issued its final orders, Respondent neither advised the court nor opposing counsel that he had obtained an interest in the marital residence nor did he supplement Mrs. Varner's previously filed affidavit with respect to financial affairs to show that he had taken a lien against the marital residence. [12] Furthermore, during this hearing, Respondent tendered a document to the court, which calculated the equity in the marital residence by subtracting estimated realtor commissions and encumbrances, including only the first and second mortgages against the residence, from an appraised value of the residence. The exhibit did not disclose that Respondent had acquired a deed of trust encumbering the marital residence. [13] Leading up to, and following permanent orders, Mrs. Varner reiterated her concern about securing her half-interest in her husband's pension benefits. She gave Respondent OPM's phone number and asked him to call them. Mrs. Varner also told Respondent that she did not feel comfortable with Mr. Varner writing a check from his bank account to her each month in order to comply with his obligation to provide her half of his pension benefit monthly. She wanted the money to be sent directly to her from OPM. Although Mrs. Varner expressed these concerns, Respondent did not call OPM. Because Respondent failed to secure Mrs. Varner's benefits with OPR, she received one-half of Mr. Varner's pension reliant upon her former husband's willingness to write her a check each month, not because OPM recognized that she was entitled to receive these funds directly from them based upon the state court's final orders. Contrary to his earlier assurances to Mrs. Varner, Respondent had never processed a claim with OPR and was unaware of the procedures the federal government required to secure her interests in Mr. Varner's pension. Had Respondent inquired of OPM as Mrs. Varner requested, he would have discovered that the process was complex. [14] Because of the nuances of OPM rules, general practitioners often consult a lawyer with experience in processing a retirement or pension claim with OPR. [15]