A qualified domestic relations order is defined as a type of domestic relationship mandate that recognizes the existence of a different payee's wishes to receive or reassign to the different payee part or the entire amount of benefits owed and payable under existing retirement or pension plans. Qualification for a qualified domestic relations order must follow specific guidelines and filings, but it possible for one to designate the benefits to another designee is specific cases. A domestic relations order requires some form of statement or decree from a state domestic relations authority.