In Re Marriage of Schofield

William Schofield (William) appeals a supplemental judgment and related findings and order issued by the superior court, directing the federal Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to pay William’s former wife, Joyce Schofield (Joyce), a specified amount of funds from William’s retirement fund (previously determined to be a community asset in the parties’ 1987 marital settlement agreement and dissolution judgment), which included a portion representing arrearages due to Joyce. William appeals, contending the manner in which the judgment and order handle the arrearages is violative of federal and state law, as an improper recharacterization of the parties’ property division of the pension asset, and/or as an improper form of garnishment or execution of judgment on these public retirement benefits. We conclude the judgment and order are in compliance with applicable federal law and regulations, as well as community property principles, and affirm.

Factual and Procedural Background

After a 26-year marriage, Joyce and William obtained a judgment of dissolution dated March 31, 1987, incorporating their marital settlement agreement. This judgment awarded William the civil…