Do I need to get a QDRO as soon as I’m divorced?

No, but it is advisable to do so. Since a QDRO secures your interest in your spouse’s retirement benefits, the longer you wait, the longer you have not secured your interest and the greater the likelihood that something could impact your interest. In addition, if you wait a substantial period of time, relevant data and information may no longer be available which can make the preparation of a QDRO substantially more difficult and potentially impossible.