Which of the following descriptions fits a QDRO?

A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) specifically refers to a legal order issued by a court that recognizes the right of a spouse or dependent to receive a portion of the benefits from a retirement plan due to divorce or legal separation. This order is designed to ensure that the retirement benefits accrued during the marriage are fairly divided between the parties involved, rather than being entirely controlled by the account holder.

The importance of a QDRO lies in its role in protecting the rights of individuals who may not have direct control over the retirement assets during a divorce. It allows for the orderly transfer of benefits and provides legal recognition that a certain amount of the retirement plan's assets is attributable to the other spouse. The QDRO must comply with specific legal requirements to be valid, and it must clearly specify the amount or percentage of the benefits to be paid to the non-participant spouse.

The other options do not accurately define what a QDRO entails. While a temporary hardship withdrawal relates to accessing funds from a retirement plan under specific financial distress conditions, and a type of investment strategy pertains to managing investments rather than legal orders, a miscellaneous withdrawal type is too broad and does not specify a legal context like a QDRO does. Thus, the description of a Q