January 2026 Practice Management: Making Retirement Divisions Simple

Recorded On: 01/06/2026

January 6, 2026 1PM EST

The Retirement Division process is getting more complex. Denisa Tova-Liebman is here to help by introducing the Settlement Language Instruction Playbook (SLIP).

The SLIP is a step-by-step guide designed to simplify the division of defined contribution plans—including 401(k)s, 403(b)s, TSPs, IRAs, and similar accounts.

Rather than theory, Denisa will walk us through live applications and real case examples. Attendees can ask questions throughout, ensuring they understand how to apply the SLIP guidance directly in their own work.

By the end, CDFA’s will know what to request at intake, which documents matter, how to ensure plan acceptance, and how to help clients with rejection-proof language.

The webinar also covers crucial plan-specific updates:

IRAs no longer calculate gains or losses, requiring manual carve-outs for post-cutoff contributions.
Over 150,000 federal employees recently took early retirement or buyouts under the Deferred Resignation Program, increasing the need for compliant COAPs for federal cases. Because OPM is backlogged, vague or incorrect orders risk rejection without a second chance.

Dividing retirement plans remains one of the most error-prone parts of divorce law. The SLIP makes it easy to follow, removing the need to memorize complex rules.

Gerard G. Zielinski

CDFA®

Gerard is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) and mediator who has spent the last 18 years providing individuals, couples, and family law attorneys with financial tools, resources, and expertise incident to divorce. Gerard specializes in the valuation and division of retirement benefits including Military Retired Pay and the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS). With over 5000 Qualified Domestic Relations Orders drafted, Gerard is a retirement plan expert with key competencies in plan terms, division options, valuation issues, tax implications, as well as election and survivorship options. Whether he is working in the role of retirement plan expert, neutral financial specialist or as an advocate for one party, Gerard prides himself on helping his clients achieve their financial goals by giving them the power to make well informed financial decisions before, during and after divorce.

Outside of his dedication to raising awareness on the pivotal role a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst can play, Gerard cherishes family time with his wife and four children, and he finds fulfillment in coaching youth sports.

Gerard is a 2008 Graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Finance). Along with receiving his CDFA® designation in 2012, he became a certified domestic relations mediator through the Mediation Training & Consultation Institute in 2014. Gerard is also a member of the Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin as well as the renowned Divorce Financial Planning Training Center.