Opinion ID: 1407729
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Roberta's survivorship rights

Text: In the decree, the district court provided that [Roberta's] vested Community Interest in [Gerhard's] Retirement does not terminate upon [Roberta's] death and continues to her estate until [Gerhard's] death. Gerhard argues that this provision violates public policy, and, more specifically, [is] in direct conflict with the Public Employees Retirement System of Nevada. Although a former spouse's estate is not encompassed by the definition of alternate payee in NRS 286.6703(4), we conclude that Roberta's estate should be entitled to her share of Gerhard's retirement benefits upon his death. Upon divorce, the community interest that Gerhard and Roberta had in Gerhard's retirement became the separate property of each former spouse. See 15A Am. Jur.2d Community Property § 101 (1976). Consequently, Roberta's estate is entitled to her portion of Gerhard's retirement in the event that Roberta predeceases Gerhard. Accordingly, the district court did not abuse its discretion by requiring Gerhard to pay Roberta's estate her share of the retirement benefits if Roberta predeceases Gerhard.